Currently reading: 2020 Audi RS5 gains refreshed design and new tech

BMW M4 rival is final RS model to be facelifted with overhauled infotainment and more aggressive styling

Audi has updated the Audi RS5 Sportback and coupé with tweaked styling and an overhauled infotainment system, just six months after the current model first arrived in UK dealerships.

The BMW M4 rival follows in the footsteps of its RS4 and RS7 siblings in gaining a revised front end, which features reshaped air intakes and an enlarged grille for a more aggressive look. Audi says that the three implied air vents above the grille - similar to the current Audi A1 supermini - are inspired by the 1984 Audi UR Quattro.

As with other recently refreshed RS models from Audi, the RS5’s wheel arches have been extended by 40mm, while optional darkened headlight bezels further differentiate the performance model from the standard A5. The rear end has been subtly updated, as well, featuring a reshaped diffuser which can be specified in a range of contrasting colours. 

As well as the styling changes, the RS5 also gains two new colour options for 2020 - Turbo Blue and Tango Red - with three new sets of 20in wheels available in black or bronze. 

The two-door coupé variant now features a carbonfibre roof panel which, Audi says, brings the model’s kerb weight down by roughly 4kg. 

Inside, the outgoing RS5’s rotary infotainment controller has been replaced by a free-standing 10.1in touchscreen, equipped with Audi’s new MMI acoustic response technology and tilted towards the driver for ease of use. An optional ‘navigation plus’ package brings an additional RS-specific monitor which displays live temperature, acceleration and tyre pressure data. 

The RS5’s 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 is unchanged, and still sends 444bhp and 443lb ft to all four wheels. Audi claims a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of up to 174mph for both bodystyles. 

UK pricing for the new RS5 will be announced in the new year, but a starting price in Germany of €83,500 suggests we’re likely to see a slight increase over the model’s current £68,985 price tag. 

Read more

Audi updates RS4 Avant with more aggressive styling for 2020​

Audi RS7 Sportback 2019 review​

Used car buying guide: Audi RS5​

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

The Audi RS5 returns and brings with it a new twin-turbo V6 engine co-developed with Porsche. But there’s more to the overhaul than just a new powerplant

Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

Join the debate

Comments
10
Add a comment…
Andrew1 10 December 2019

What an eyesore

What is wrong with Audi designers?
5cylinderT 10 December 2019

like your comment are much

like your comment are much better Takeitslowly, why dont you take it slowly and allow for othert people opinion which others might agree with.

just because your attitude needs a major face lift, why dont you pipe down a bit.

pah68 10 December 2019

An update after 6 months

Got to feel sorry for those who took delivery of their "new" model car in the last 6 months and are now already out of date. Compensation anyone?

Takeitslowly 10 December 2019

pah68 wrote:

pah68 wrote:

Got to feel sorry for those who took delivery of their "new" model car in the last 6 months and are now already out of date. Compensation anyone?

 

Completely moronic final sentence from you. Buy when you are ready or wait forever and fail, to get the better of facelifts. "Out of date"?...even more pathetic. Fool.

FM8 10 December 2019

Takeitslowly wrote:

Takeitslowly wrote:

pah68 wrote:

Got to feel sorry for those who took delivery of their "new" model car in the last 6 months and are now already out of date. Compensation anyone?

 

Completely moronic final sentence from you. Buy when you are ready or wait forever and fail, to get the better of facelifts. "Out of date"?...even more pathetic. Fool.

FOOL, your favorite word that. I prefer twat, reminds me of you.

5cylinderT 10 December 2019

pah68 wrote:

pah68 wrote:

Got to feel sorry for those who took delivery of their "new" model car in the last 6 months and are now already out of date. Compensation anyone?

volkswagen group seem to be pretty good at regular updates which is rather i assume for the people, as you said, that take order just before a facelift.