17/05/2022
New Audi RS 4 and RS 5 Competition: price, specs and release date
Written By Lawrence Allan
Audi has given its RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe and RS 5 Sportback a boost with new Competition and Competition Plus upgrade packages.
Aimed at giving the hot four-wheel drive Audis a better chance of drawing attention away from BMW's M3 and M4 Competition, the upgrade pack brings special coilover suspension, a boost in acceleration, improved braking and styling enhancements inside and out.
Available to order later this year, the Competition package will add €7,875 (roughly £6,600) to the price of the RS 4 and RS 5 models, while the Competition Plus upgrade adds €11,875 (around £10,000).
New Audi RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Competition packages: price, release date and rivals
As mentioned, the 'entry-level' Competition package for the three Audi RS models adds €7,875 to the €86,000 base price of an Audi RS 4 Avant in Germany. UK prices for the new package are yet to be detailed, but expect that to mean around £6,700 added to the £69,275 base price of an RS 4 Avant.
The RS 5 Coupe is £74,000 at the time of writing, with the Competition package taking it over £80k, while the RS 5 Sportback four-door coupe commands a premium of about £500.
That's not all, though, as the RS Competition Plus package is also available. It brings additional kit such as the special coilover suspension, dynamic steering and the quattro sport differential. That adds €11,875 (roughly £10,000) to the base price, which should take the RS 4 Avant to around £80,000, and the RS 5 Coupe and Sportback to £84,000 and £84,500 respectively.
Those packages bring the RS 4 and RS 5 models broadly level in price with the arch enemies: the BMW M3 and M4 Competition. Spec the M3 with xDrive all-wheel drive for comparison and it starts at just under £81,000, with a similarly specced M4 Competition at £82,300.
UK prices and release dates are yet to be detailed, but expect the Audi RS 4 and RS 5 Competition packages to be available to order in the coming weeks, with deliveries in the second half of 2022.
Audi RS 4 and RS 5 Competition: suspension and performance upgrades
A key focus of the two new Competition packages is upgrading the driving experience of the RS 4 and RS 5 models. To that end, Audi is promising a "next level sound experience" thanks to reduced insulation levels between the engine compartment and cabin, combined with a new RS Plus sports exhaust system.
Developed specifically for the Competition upgrades, the new exhaust system has matte black tailpipes and a "more intense sound pattern", with a revised ECU bringing more aural drama when the car is put into Dynamic mode. The reduced insulation and the exhaust itself bring about an 8kg weight reduction, too.
Both Competition upgrades also see the top speed of the Audi RS 4 and RS 5 models increased to 180mph, up from the usual 155mph limit. That's despite them using the same 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, putting out 450PS and 600Nm of torque, as the standard models.
However, further upgrades for the RS 4 and RS 5 Competition Plus package let the RS 4 Avant acceleration from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, which is a 0.2 second reduction from stock. The RS 5 Coupe and Sportback complete the same sprint in 3.8 seconds - a 0.1 second reduction.
The extra upgrades for the Competition Plus models include RS Sport Suspension Pro, a manually adjustable coilover suspension that is said to give "an ideal spread between comfort and performance". An increased spring rate along with three-way adjustable dampers are claimed to boost lap times, while the stock ride height is reduced by 10mm. There is the option for customers to manually lower the cars by a further 10mm, however.
There's also an enhanced quattro sport differential, which helps put the power down and make the car feel more rear-driven, plus dynamic steering. However, all Competition models also get updated gearbox software for faster shifts, and a bigger difference between the driving modes.
The new 20in wheels can be optionally upgraded with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, while new software for the ABS means (once you spec the further optional RS ceramic brakes) the stopping distance from 62mph is reduced by two metres over the standard cars.
New Audi RS 4 and RS 5 Competition packages: styling and interior upgrades
Of course all the under-the-skin work needs to be paired with styling upgrades so people know you've splashed out on the Competition variants. And the RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe and RS 5 Sportback all get a visual boost inside and out.
Exterior upgrades include the black exterior package 'plus', with further optional exterior upgrades in gloss or matte carbon. Matrix LED headlight upgrades feature, with the RS 5 models specifically featuring Audi's laser light tech. Sharp new 20-inch wheels feature, too, with the option of having them painted in Phantom Black.
Inside, the highlights boosting the sporty feel include Dynamica microfibre and leather upholstery for the RS sports seats with a honeycombe pattern, paired with RS embroidery. There's also Alcantara trim for elements on the dash and doors, plus the steering wheel and gearknob.
Finally, the seatbelts get red edging to mark them out, while, there's a new RS Competition projection for the entry LEDs on the doors.
Find a used Audi RS 4 or Audi RS 5 for sale
If you can't wait for the new Audi RS 4 and RS 5 Competition packages to be available, why not check out the latest deals on the current versions? Or, if you need a fully electric sporty Audi, how about the Audi e-tron GT?
Looking for more new car news?
We have everything you need to know about the all-new Ineos Grenadier 4x4, plus details of the upcoming Volkswagen ID.Vizzion electric saloon. There's also the first details on Kia's new EV9, a flagship electric SUV from the Korean brand.
From new the latest Audi RS 4 Avant costs around £80,000. But if you're willing to buy used you can pick up the latest-generation model from 2018 for around £45,000.
Audi's RS sub-brand stands for 'RennSport', which is translated as Racing Sport in English. It denotes the most powerful and sporty models in Audi's range, with performance and styling upgrades.
By any definition, yes. The Audi RS 5 can acceleration from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds (or 3.8 seconds with the Competition Plus package), with the top speed up to 180mph in upgraded Competition form.
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