Is the Audi RS5 front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive?

[DiCaroline]

Audi RS5 does not have a rear-wheel drive version. All models of Audi RS5 are equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive system. Introduction to Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive: The full-time four-wheel drive system (AWD), represented by Audi's quattro system, ensures that all four wheels have driving force at all times. This system keeps all four wheels constantly powered. The full-time four-wheel drive system includes three differentials: one on each of the front and rear axles, as well as a central differential between the front and rear drive shafts. Comparison between Full-Time and Part-Time Four-Wheel Drive: If a vehicle has a dedicated two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive switch lever or button, it uses a part-time four-wheel drive system. Part-time four-wheel drive is the most commonly used four-wheel drive system in four-wheel drive vehicles.

[Ricardo]

Last time when driving in the mountains, I chatted with the owner of a tuning shop who has modified over a dozen Audi performance cars. The RS5 comes standard with the quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, where all four wheels provide power during acceleration. The key lies in its mechanical Torsen center differential, which has a default power distribution of 40% front and 60% rear. When cornering, it can instantly shift up to 70% of the power to the rear wheels. Compared to the regular Audi quattro system, it has more rear-wheel-drive characteristics—applying a bit of throttle during cornering will make the rear end swing out. However, it’s exceptionally stable when driving on highways in the rain. Last month, I overtook cars in my friend’s RS5 during a heavy rainstorm on the elevated highway, and there was no slippage at all. Oh, and just a reminder—the regular A5 does indeed have a front-wheel-drive version.

[SanSilas]

I'm an owner of an RS5 Coupe purchased last year, and I also struggled with the drivetrain configuration before buying. The salesperson clearly stated that all RS5 models come with all-wheel drive, and the essence of Audi's quattro system is encapsulated in the red badge on the trunk lid. It's much easier to handle compared to rear-wheel-drive cars like the BMW M4, making it manageable even for someone like me, a girl with average driving skills. Especially when exiting corners on epoxy-coated garage floors in the rain, there's virtually no worry about the tail sliding out. However, the sport differential on the rear axle is quite responsive; in Sport mode, you can distinctly feel the outer rear wheel pushing the car's nose into the turn. The only downside is that it's more fuel-consuming than rear-wheel-drive cars, with city commuting averaging at least 15 liters per 100 km.

[VonAdelyn]

From a mechanical perspective, the RS5's chassis code is 8W, equipped with a standard mechanical quattro system. Power originates from the longitudinally mounted V6 engine, intelligently distributed through a Torsen Type C center differential, front driveshaft, and rear crown gear differential. Compared to Mercedes' 4MATIC electronically controlled clutch system, this purely mechanical structure responds faster. On icy roads, 65% of the power automatically shifts to the rear wheels, and in track mode, the rear-drive bias can be adjusted up to 80% via the MMI system. However, it remains an all-wheel-drive system in extreme conditions and cannot be considered a pure rear-wheel-drive setup.

[MalachiFitz]

During a track day test drive of the RS5 Sportback, we specifically evaluated its drivetrain characteristics. When accelerating out of S-turns at full throttle, you can distinctly feel the power distribution shifting among all four wheels. The instructor explained that this quattro system with torque vectoring automatically brakes the inner wheels during cornering while delivering extra power to the outer wheels, as if invisible hands were helping steer the wheel. Compared to pure rear-wheel-drive cars, it offers better control, with more refined ESP intervention at the limit. However, with electronic systems deactivated, the sport differential on the rear axle makes the tail exceptionally lively, requiring skilled handling to master.

[DiLane]

Remember when Audi dominated WRC with quattro in the 90s? The ancestors of the RS5 were pioneers in bringing four-wheel drive to the performance car segment. Today's RS5 still upholds the tradition of permanent all-wheel drive but incorporates more electronic controls. Its sport differential monitors wheel data 100 times per second, instantly channeling power to the rear wheels with better grip during hairpin turns. Although it weighs about 100 pounds more than rear-drive competitors, its traction advantage exiting corners is significant. Driving it on mountain roads means less worry about oversteer, and applying throttle mid-corner feels particularly decisive.