A package-price reduction with added standard equipment makes the 2024 Audi RS 5 Competition a near-value statement
The 444-hp 2024 Audi RS 5 Competition Coupe starts at $80,790, which is $6,525 less than in 2023. (Photography by Audi or as credited)
Table of Contents
New for the 2024 RS 5
RS 5 Competition Package
Pricing
RS 5 Performance
Competition Ride and Handling
Interior Function
Why Buy the 2024 Audi RS 5 Competition?
Specifications
There is good news for the 2024 Audi RS 5 Competition Coupe and Sportback models. First, the bad news: the base price for the 2024 model is up a trifling $700, now starting at $80,790. The good news is an overall price reduction for the Competition Package saved $6,525.
An Audi RS 5 Competition coupe that cost $100,585 in 2023 is now $94,040, with the same five options and packages. In 2023, the RS 5 Competition package cost $16,100. For 2024, the package is $10,300. The main deletion from the package is the front ceramic brakes. The 15.7-inch front ceramic brakes save weight and improve brake disc cooling for on-track performance. The default choice for 2024 are 14.8-inch steel rotors. Both rotors are ventilated with six-piston fixed calipers. Steel rear disc brakes are unchanged with 13-inch ventilated rotors.
There were availability issues with the carbon fiber brakes, Audi says, and made this decision: “Rather than allow a customer to order the carbon brakes and us not be able to build the car immediately, keeping a customer waiting, we decided to proactively remove the option for this model year. As supplier availability issues get resolved, we may re-evaluate this,” a spokesman wrote in an email.
Trimming the cost of the Competition package and adding a lot of new standard equipment makes the RS 5 Competition more of a value tease, and some of its new standard elements are optional in the competition.
The Competition
Audi RS5 Coupe prime competitors include:
505-hp Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, base price $83,365, includes $500 paint option.
503-hp BMW M4 Competition xDrive Coupe, base price $91,245 with 3 driving-assist technologies.
503 hp Mercedes-AMG C63 S (2023), $94,975 with six options comparable to RS 5 tester.
472-hp Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, $73,770.
565-hp Nissan GT-R, $123,000
*Suggested retail pricing includes the freight charge.
The Competition package adds Pearl Nappa and Dinamica upholstery. Front sport seats have power bolster and seat-bottom adjustment.
New for 2024?
There are no exterior or powertrain changes for the 2024 RS 5 lineup, just the following features now as standard equipment:
- Adaptive cruise control (ACC);
- Audi active lane assist;
- Parking system-plus;
- Heated steering wheel with Hands on Detection (HoD);
- Remote engine start via myAudi app.
- The Navigation package now adds traffic sign recognition, activating Predictive adaptive cruise control (pACC).
- All RS 5 models have a Navigation package ($1,450) that now includes a six-month trial subscription to Audi Connect PLUS with the Audi app store.
- Progressive Red metallic paint replaces Tango Red metallic.
A “Runway” mode is exclusive to the RS Virtual Cockpit layout. (Mark Maynard)
What’s in the $10,300 Competition Package?
The 2024 Audi RS 5 Competition package, $10,300, includes:
- 20-inch 5-Y-spoke design milled-cut wheels in bi-color phantom black finish;
- Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires;
- 180 mph top track speed;
- Sport direct steering;
- Coil-over suspension system with front and rear sport sway bars;
- RS Sport exhaust system with matte black tailpipes;
- Red brake calipers;
- RS carbon matte inlays;
- Matte carbon front splitter, rear diffuser, and exterior mirror housings;
- High-gloss black exterior trim, black Audi rings and badges;
- Pearl Nappa and Dinamica seat upholstery with piano black front seat side trim
- Alcantara covered steering wheel, shift lever, and center console;
- Seatbelts with red edging and RS logo floor mats with red edging.
2024 Audi RS 5 Pricing
The U.S. was first introduced to the midsize RS 5 for the 2013 model year. The second-gen RS 5 came out for 2018, followed in 2021 with a significant refresh. The RS 5 Competition package was added for 2023.
Sold in two-door Coupe and five-door Sportback models, both RS 5 variants have the same powertrain. RS 5 Competition Coupe pricing starts at $80,790 vs. $79,995 for the Sportback; pricing includes the $1,095 freight charge from Ingolstadt, Germany.
Of the eight paint colors, only Nardo Gray is a no-cost choice. Six hues are a $595 upgrade, including the tester’s Ascari Blue metallic. Named for Spain’s Circuito Ascari track, the deep sky blue hue has sublet flecks of purple. Sebring Black Crystal, $1,095, is exclusive to the Competition package.
Find current Audi RS 5 pricing here. And look for special offers here.
With 444 twin-turbocharged and intercooled horsepower, the 2.9-liter is Audi’s most potent V-6 in the A5 lineup. (Mark Maynard)
Competition Performance
With 444 twin-turbocharged and intercooled horsepower, the 2.9-liter is Audi’s most potent V-6 in the A5 lineup. With peak torque holding steady from 2,000-5,000 rpm, there is no delay in the spooling of power, though the standard drive mode is turned for fuel economy. Audi cites 0-60 acceleration in 3.7 seconds for the Coupe and 3.8 seconds for the Sportback. With all-wheel drive, that’s a righteous launch for a curb weight of 3,990 pounds, or around 4,300 pounds with driver and a friend.
The RS 5 engine has a determined engine note that gets better with a heavier foot. Reduced insulation between the engine compartment and interior gives a grand exhaust recital. Press the steering wheel button for RS mode and let the howling begin. The eight-speed feeds shifts with rapid-fire precision, with a lovely crackle and snort on downshifts.
Competition models boost maximum top track speed to 180 mph, up 25 mph from the non-Comp RS 5. Trimming the soundproofing also saved nearly 18 pounds, Audi says.
Fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 mpg combined on the recommended premium fuel are reasonable, especially with the 15.3-gallon tank. During my week of testing, my around-town average ranged between 14 and 18 mpg; on highway runs, it clicked along at 22.4 mpg.
Denting my mileage was liberal use of Sport mode. It’s just the way to go with this powertrain. And I so enjoy how Audi provides easy Sport-mode access with just a slap of the shifter down for Sport and another pull for standard Drive mode.
Driver Assistance
On the daily commute, the Comfort mode suspension is forgiving, though still taut. Crowded urban driving is helped by the RS driver assistance package, which is $3,000. The active lane assist gives good centering, but the reaction is skitzy in cornering, likely due to controlling the very wide Pirelli P Zero motorsport tires. And I’d also add the Side Assist package, $500, which includes matte aluminum side mirror caps.
RS 5 Competition Ride and Handling
With its slightly lower roofline, the Audi RS 5 Coupe might be more track competitive than the slightly taller and heavier Sportback on a longer wheelbase (111.3 vs. 108.9). However, the Sportback has larger cargo-trunk capacity (21.3 vs. 10.9 cu.ft.) and easier access to the back seats, with 2.4 inches more legroom.
Acceleration to 60 mph for both trim levels is a bellowing 3.8 seconds in the Sportback and 3.7 in the coupe.
Street or track, the RS 5 steers with planted precision; the steering weight is light but responsive with minimal input. The Sport Direct Steering in the Competition package has a quicker ratio of 13.1:1 vs. for the standard 15.9:1 box.
For added handling control, Audi includes a set of tools to manually lower the front and rear spring height by 10mm; that’s an overall ride height 20mm lower than the regular RS 5.
The stock Pirelli P Zero Corsa motorsport tires have “racing type compounds,” earning them a sticky treadwear rating (UTQG) of 80 with the highest AA traction rating. The compounding is rubber cement for traction, but many runs on a hot track day event would likely scrub tread to the wear bars; replacements will run around $425 each, or $469. At the Audi dealer, installing four tires would cost around $1,726, not including sales tax.
Alcantara upholstery with Crescendo Red stitching dresses up the three-spoke heated steering wheel, shift lever, and center console.
RS 5 Interior Function
Audi interiors are handsome and refined. The Competition package amps visual energy with Pearl Nappa and Dinamica front-seat upholstery; Piano Black side-seat trim replaces the standard Fine Nappa leather seats. Matte carbon inlays reinforce a performance focus. Alcantara faux suede with crescendo red stitching dresses up the three-spoke heated steering wheel, shift lever, and center console. Safety belts and floor mats also are edged in red.
The midsize cabin proportions of the RS 5 are a comfort fit. The ride height accommodates without a drop-and-twist sequence into the seat. Even the seat bolsters’ side and bottom are unrestrictive, but they can be snugged for control in cornering switchbacks.
Cabin width allows front shoulder room of 55.3 inches vs. 55.7 in the Sportback. The broad front seat area allows enough instrument panel width to include the necessities: a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and easy access to cabin controls. However, engagement of the driver-assist function is awkwardly positioned on the end of the hard-to-see cruise-control stalk.
Headroom of 37.4 inches with the moonroof will fit tall drivers without looking through the windshield header. However, that head space might be tight when wearing a helmet.
Rear legroom is snug at 32.7 inches, but kids won’t notice, and adults will gladly pull up their knees.
The RS 5 Competition package adds 20-inch milled-cut wheels in a bi-color phantom black finish, Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, and a carbon trunk-lid spoiler.
Why Buy the 2024 Audi RS 5 Competition?
Some motorists will spend $85,000 for a loaded pickup — before adding accessories, special paint, or tooled leather. And then their truck might be used to haul soil from the home improvement center, the kid’s gear to college, or a Christmas tree. It doesn’t matter, it is a personal choice.
The Audi RS 5 might be a little more subtle than its competitors in its display of supersport engineering. But when paying $100,000 for the RS 5, that driver will feel and hear the engineering that makes their car special. He or she will have no regrets . . . until the redesigned 2025 Audi RS 5 coupe debuts.
2024 Audi RS 5 Competition Specifications
Body style: Midsize 2-door 4-seat 2+2 all-wheel-drive Coupe or Sportback
Engine: 444-hp, twin turbocharged and intercooled 2.9-liter V-6; 442 lb.-ft. torque from 2,000-5,000 rpm
Maximum turbo boost: 21 psi
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Fuel economy: 18/26/21 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel
0-60 mph acceleration: 3.7 seconds
Top track speed: 155 mph
Drag coefficient: 0.32
BY THE NUMBERS
Fuel tank: 15.3 gallons
Trunk space: 10.9 cubic feet
Front head/leg room: 37.4/41.3 inches
Rear head/leg room: 36.1/32.7 inches
Length/wheelbase: 185.9/108.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,990 pounds
Turning circle: 38.4 feet
FEATURES
Standard equipment includes: Advanced key for lock-unlock and push-button ignition, Audi virtual cockpit (with appearance modes of Sport and S Performance), electric parking brake, rearview camera, Fine Nappa leather upholstery, honeycomb stitched S sport seats with RS embossing, RS carbon inlays, power side bolsters, and massage function, power sunroof, Bang & Olufsen audio system with 3D sound, Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light, LED interior lighting;
Safety features include: 8 air bags, stability control with sport mode, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning;
Driver assistance features include: Audi Pre-sense basic (preventative occupant protection; Audi Pre-sence City with forward collision warning and avoidance assistance;
SUSPENSION COMPONENTS
Steering: Electromechanical progressive system
Suspension: RS sport front and rear
Brakes: 4-wheel steel discs, 14.8-inch rotors front, 13-inch rear;
Tires-Wheels: 20-inch 5-Y spoke design forged wheels in bi-color finish; Pirelli P zero Corsa motorsport tires
PRICING
Base RS 5 Competition Coupe price: $80,790, including $1,095 freight charge; price as tested $94,040
Options on test vehicle:
- Ascari Blue metallic paint $595;
- RS driver assistance package, $1,500, adds head-up display, Park assist (parking entry functionality), top view camera system, traffic sign recognition;
- Navigation package with side assist $1,500;
- Competition package with standard brakes, $10,300.
Where assembled: Ingolstadt, Germany
Warranty: 4-years/50,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance
