The materials, however, leave nothing to be desired, the same tight fit, quality craftsmanship and refined operation of every surface, button and switch as in every Audi, though the styling has evolved in newer models. Still, the key points of contact are sublime, the perforated leather steering wheel, alloy pedals, leather and aluminum shifter and leather sport seats leaving nothing to be desired. I do feel that the shift paddles would have been more appropriately milled from aluminum rather than molded from plastic with faux metallic trim.

Feedback through those points of contact is also a revelation, again. Despite the winter tires, steering feel is precise, turn-in is sharp, throttle and brake response are immediate, and the chassis transmits the road and traction condition honestly, sometimes with painful clarity. Yes, the Drive Select system allows you to sharpen the throttle, steering, transmission and damping rates, but even Comfort is a firmly sprung sports car, though it is not unexpected or unacceptable for this level of performance. While not a soft, squishy comfort boat, it is a smooth and controlled highway cruiser, and while you feel the impact for most ever expansion joint or pothole, you feel it once and then continue on your way with no second wave. Dial it up to Sport+ and those imperfections can be downright harsh, so the dynamic dampers are providing a range of responses for different purposes.

This is a coupe and I won’t dwell long on practicality, but I did squeeze into the backseats for my photos, so it is technically possible, and the trunk is reasonable for some fairly large luggage, with folding rear seats and a ski pass-through (so you might not need that roof rack after all) and cargo net, which you will definitely need if you ever do any shopping in this machine. It has all the amenities we expected from luxury cars a generation ago (no cooled seats? That is downright criminal!), but its quality fit and finish still exceed that of the brand new Lexus, and the RS 5’s combination of red cylinder head covers and slim carbon-fibre engine cover make the RC F’s sparkly blue intake tubing seem a bit tawdry. I’ll give Lexus credit for the subtle repetition of their signature blue throughout the interior, next to which the Audi can be labeled with that old heartless, monochromatic Germanic interior label.

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Nonetheless, what it sets out to do, it does. The RS brand isn’t nearly so prevalent in North America as BMW’s more popular M, this RS 5 Coupe and Cabriolet, plus the RS 7 Sportback the only RS models we see here in North America compared to BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe and Convertible and M5, M6, and even M versions of the X5 and X6 SUVs, plus AMG versions of almost ever Mercedes-Benz on the market, among them the awesome E63 Wagon for which we auto enthusiasts have particular affection. While the Audi would no doubt be capable on the track, the carbon-fibre brakes in particular helping that cause (though without being harsh or jerky in everyday use) its weight will always work against it at every corner, the AWD that offers so much usability all year round only adding heft to the chassis and old-school V8 engine. On public roads and in poor weather, that weight gives it a sense of solidity and gravitas that is reassuring and comforting.

Overall, the Audi RS 5 is a brilliant and unstoppable road car, a sports car you can drive hard year-round (within reason, please), while surrounded by the trappings of peerless quality. While some elements are starting to seem dated, the niche Audi has carved with their AWD mastery means they are a unique proposition in the segment, the driving experience a match for any of its competitors, showing the RS 5 to be a timeless and defining car for the Audi brand, as RS cars have always been.

Pricing: 2015 Audi RS 5 Quattro
Base Price: $82,900
Options: $9,940 – Misano Red Pearl Effect $890, Sports Exhaust with Black Finish $1,500, Carbon Ceramic Front Brakes $6,000, Tire Pressure Monitoring System $350, Black Optics Package $1,200
Freight: $2,095
A/C Tax: $100
Price as Tested: $95,035

NRCan Fuel Consumption: 14.9/10.1 L/100 km City/Highway
Observed Fuel Consumption: 13.9 L/100 km

Competitors:
BMW M4
Lexus RC F
Mercedes-AMG C 63

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