Audi S/RS Kuala Lumpur Drive

I have had my moment with all four of Audi Singapore’s top-end offerings, so here’s the low-down of their numbers and some of my driving impressions with these aces.

This executive sized sedan may look unobtrusively similar to the standard A6, but push start the ignition and drive off, that’s when you know that this is no ordinary A6.

When that 4.0-litre V8 when it came to life, the low rumbling growl immediately stirs the senses and this can be said of the three other cars available to us. Both the S6 and S7 have the same drivetrain set-up with twin turbos in that engine offering an immense 420bhp and 550Nm of torque. Coupled with Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, the cars definitely managed to show that they could accelerate much quicker than their respective 4.6 and 4.7 second 0-100km/h sprint times. The Audi S7 Sportback is only a tad slower because of its slightly larger size, but that’s a minor point that is hardly perceptible when driving it.

On the roads, both cars are amazingly quick, and mind you, being shy of two tons means that they’re not exactly light. But yet, they’re both amazingly responsive and very very quick off the line with enough power at the top end to allow for overtaking at high speed on the highway.

Between the two, the S7 was the more luxurious car as its positioning in the Audi model line-up would show. The car drove very smoothly with comforting predictability, performing exactly as the driver would intend it to.

On the other hand, the S6 felt the keener and more dynamic drive. Put through the same B roads and open highway as the S7, one could feel that the car literally respond to the driving inputs. To put it simply, its reacts earnestly, apparent with the way the weight of the car shifts in reaction to my every braking, steering and throttle inputs as I negotiated the many corners on the B roads.

Recently launched during the F1 season in September, when the car was spectacularly hoisted to the top of the Fullerton Hotel, the Audi S8 was the surprise package of the drive. Equipped with the same 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine, the S8’s engine has been uprated to offer a mind-blowing 520bhp with 650Nm of torque.

Despite the immensity of its size and corresponding weight, the S8 had a published 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.2 seconds. Yes, 4.2 seconds, for a car that looks unassumingly like the limousine meant for ferrying towkays around.

While the S8 was capable of being a real speed demon on the road, it was as impressive in the handling department. At 5.1 metres long, the S8 (even in this short-wheelbase version) does not give one the impression of being a nimble sedan, but driving it is an entirely different experience because the car handles so well, and is so well balanced that it drives like a car many times smaller. Storm the car down the highway at speed and the car remains as solid as ever while responding with its V8’s hearty growl.

There was also ample opportunity to witness exactly just how Audi’s new cylinder-on-demand system works because for once, there was a long enough stretch of road to cruise. Under light throttle loads, the display on board the car showed us when the cars were running with four-cylinders instead of eight, thus improving efficiency. (Cylinder demand was available on all three S cars)

My perennial favourite, Audi’s RS5 was the only RS model on the drive. Styled and set up like the everyday supercar that it was meant to be, the RS5 added a real sporty dimension to the drive with its sharper handling, stiffer suspension and more pronounced naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 that had 450bhp and 430Nm of torque on tap.

Rounding up the whole drive experience, Audi also had a special treat installed for us—a track day with their RS3 and S4 trackcars and a fully stock RS5 on the Sepang International Circuit.

Tuned up for more power, the RS3 and S4 trackcars had been stiffened up and toughened for the demands of the track.

In opting to showcase the capabilities of their cars, Audi has definitely made the right move by just letting their cars do the talking. Having experienced their latest S and RS models in conditions they were built for, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the cars.

Credits: Jonathan Tan in Kuala Lumpur, Photos: Jonathan Tan and Audi Singapore