Audi RS5 (2011) long-term test review

What on earth is Ben Pulman and the rest of the office on? Glance through the comments below and you'd think none of us like the Audi RS5. Nothing could be further from the truth. Fact is, the RS5 has rather split opinion. Those with the words 'road tester' somewhere on their CVs tend to prefer the BMW M3 but many of the rest of us actually have a big soft spot for the fast Audi.
 

In the real world, the extra clarity of the BMW's steering, the ability to slip-slide your way through rounadabouts, is rarely much use. In fact having just covered 500 miles in the RS5 this weekend, I think I prefer the more grown-up nature of the RS5. I'm not alone; managing ed Greg Fountain and I had a pow-wow on this very topic the other day.
The Audi RS5 is such a complete package. It helps that the Audi A5 donor car is one of the best-looking mainstream cars on sale today. Modded every so subtly by the Quattro Gmbh boys, it looks ever so svelte and purposeful. Inside – a killer blow this – it's miles better than the ageing M3's plasticky, dated cabin. It's well equipped, comfortable and I disagree with Ben's comments below about the switchgear being confusing. Spend some time in the RS5 and it all begins to click.
That 4.2 nat-asp engine is a belter, with a real character overload as the revs climb. Powerful brakes, rapid-shift twin-clutch S tronic 'box, and steering with meaty weighting add up to make this an entertaining package. The minority who indulge in tail-out antics on the public road may prefer the adjustability of the M3, but – trust me – most people, most of the time will benefit more from the peerless traction of the Quattro four-wheel drive. Both at this time of year when the roads are baking and especially come winter time when temperatures plunge.
It's that all-rounder spirit than I like. The boot's massive and it made very good weekend away transport. The only real fly in the ointment is the wanton thirst of that V8 and the adaptive damper settings which jiggle annoyingly in anything other than Comfort mode.