2015 Audi RS 5: Endangered Species

One of the refreshing aspects of the 2015 Audi RS 5's suite of high performance equipment is that it's 'always on.'

The one aspect of the Audi's 'always on' personality that could grow tiresome is its suspension tuning.

You simply have to keep your foot in it all the way to the 8,250 rpm mark.

No manual gearbox for RS 5 buyers.

It would be easy to mistake the RS 5 for its more casually-quick S5 sibling.

Badging is one of the few clues to pedestrians that you are driving something special.

The front seats were comfortable and supportive on longer drives, and even the rear of the two-door provided decent accommodations for two additional adults.

The demise of the eight-cylinder engine has been predicted too many times now to be taken seriously.

The naturally-aspirated nature of the RS 5's 4.2-litre V-8 also means there's no calculated fiddling with boost levels required to grant you full access to the unit's 450 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.

RS 5 logos are emblazoned on the seats, and there's a similarly-identified flat-bottom steering wheel.

The 2015 Audi RS 5 balances exceptional speed and precise handling with a suitably luxurious interior and clean, traditional styling.

If you're tired of turbos, snag an RS 5 before it’s too late.

The Audi MMI infotainment interface that comes standard with the car is dependent on your mastery of a rotary controller flanked by numerous navigation buttons.

While the coupe is remarkably docile when cruising at slow speeds, the same can't be said for its stiffened shocks and springs.

You'd be hard-pressed to point out any other differences between the RS and S editions of the 5.

I personally don't need hood scoops, fender-vents-to-nowhere, or towering rear wings suitable for balancing your milkshake at the local cruise night to validate the $92,000 sticker of my Teutonic sports coupe.

Inside subtlety continues to rule.

450 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque are on tap from the Audi's high-revving V-8.

The rear seat is surprisingly livable.