We discovered yesterday how to make your $55,000 Audi A5 Cabrio look much like the hottest RS5 Cabrio — with the simple click of the $4,000 sport pack to upgrade to dark carbon-blade wheels and a darker, sporter front clip.

Is the RS5 also completely transformed and updated with its various add-on packages?

Yes and no.

There are three exterior themes available for the RS5 — but only the $3,000 Black Optics package is a must-buy. (Well, the Black Ops and the black Sport exhaust, actually.)

But the 2014 RS5 Black Optics package brings some of the most sinfully delicious gloss-black trim for all areas – along with some of the most gorgeous wheels of any car, at any price. The 20-inch “5-V” wheels on the RS5 Black Ops almost make the $25,000 upgrade in price from the $60,000 S5 seem like good value. Absolute heaven – and also updates the RS5’s style very effectively to compete well into 2015 with the M4 Convertible.

2014 Audi RS5 – Black Optics Package

2014 Audi RS5 – Matte Aluminum Optics Package

2014 Audi RS5 – Standard

Build your own RS5 Cabriolet here.

http://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-rs5-cabriolet/configurator#50710-8F75XY_U_0-2015/H4sIAAAAAAAAAPN1CtMNCjbVddY1MjA0rTE1MDc00LVwMzeNiIwPjTeAiLqZmimAQKiTsrmHk66faZhuoEmgLpDrZmiiYBQZ4FgDZ9QAAEmAkKlSAAAA

Technology package
- Parking system plus with rear view camera
- Audi connect online services
- HD Radio™ Technology
- Audi side assist
- DVD player
- MMI® Navigation plus
$2,900
Comfort package
- Head-level heating system
- Ventilated twelve-way power front comfort seats, including four-way power lumbar adjustment
- Perforated Milano leather seating surfaces
$1,400
Black Optic package
- 20″ Titanium 5-V-spoke-design wheels with 275/30 summer tires
- Carbon design package for the engine compartment
- Gloss Black Audi Singleframe® grille
- Body-colored exterior side mirror housings
- Sport exhaust system with Black outlets
- Tires with PAX system 255/700 R 500A 105Y
- Rear spoiler
$3,000
Driver Assistance package

$2,750
Red Brake package

$500
Audi ceramic front brakes

$6,000
Matte Aluminum Optic package

$750
Sport exhaust system with Black outlets

$1,000

2014 Audi RS5

Engineering | Performance

Engine type Eight-cylinder

Displacement (cc)/Bore and stroke (mm) 4,163/84.5 x 92.8

Horsepower (@ rpm) 450 @ 8,250

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) 317 @ 4,000 – 6,000

Engine block Aluminum-alloy

Cylinder head Aluminum-alloy

Valvetrain 32-valve DOHC with variable valve timing

Induction/Fuel injection FSI®

Acceleration (0-60 mph) 4.9 sec.

Top track speed 174 mph ⁶
Electrical System

Battery 12 Volts – 80 amp

Alternator 14 Volts – 190 amp
Transmission | Drivetrain

Transmission Seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission with quattro® all-wheel drive and sport differential

Gear ratios: 1st 3.692

Gear ratios: 2nd 2.238

Gear ratios: 3rd 1.559

Gear ratios: 4th 1.175

Gear ratios: 5th 0.915

Gear ratios: 6th 0.745

Gear ratios: 7th 0.617

Gear ratios: Reverse 2.944

Steering

Type Electromechanical power steering system

Ratio 15.9:1

Turning diameter (curb-to-curb) (ft) 37.4
Suspension

Front Five-link front suspension with RS 5 sport calibration

Rear Trapezoidal-link rear suspension with RS 5 calibration
Brakes

Front (in) 14.4 (ventilated wave-design disc) / 14.9 (Audi ceramic disc)

Rear (in) 12.8 (ventilated wave-design disc)
Body

Material Fully galvanized steel unibody with aluminum front fenders and multistep anti-corrosion protection
Warranty | Maintenance

Warranty 4-Year/50,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty

Maintenance 12-Month/5,000 mile (whichever occurs first) NO CHARGE first scheduled maintenance
Exterior measurements

Wheelbase (in) 108.3

Length (in) 183.0

Height (in) 54.2

Overall width with mirrors (in) 79.5

Overall width without mirrors (in) 73.2

Track front (in) 62.4

Track rear (in) 62.3

Curb weight (lb) 4,420

Drag coefficient (Cw) .34

Interior measurements

Head room (in, front) 40.0

Head room (in, rear) 36.3

Leg room (in, front) 41.3

Leg room (in, rear) 31.7

Shoulder room (in, front) 54.3

Shoulder room (in, rear) 52.8

Cargo volume (cu ft, cu ft, rear seatbacks up/folded) 10.2

Seating capacity 4
EPA estimates | Capacities

City 16 mpg ⁷

Highway 22 mpg ⁷

Combined 18 mpg ⁷

Engine oil (qt) 11.3

Fuel (gal) 16.1

Recommended fuel Premium

Emissions rating LEV II

Black Optic package

20″ Titanium 5-V-spoke-design wheels with 275/30 summer tires
Carbon design package for the engine compartment
Gloss Black Audi Singleframe® grille
Body-colored exterior side mirror housings
Sport exhaust system with Black outlets
Tires with PAX system 255/700 R 500A 105Y
Rear spoiler

Safety | Security

Driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, knee airbags, and front head/thorax side airbags ¹
Front passenger occupant detection—for airbags ¹
Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control (ASR)
Anti-theft alarm system with immobilizer
Tire-pressure monitoring system
Safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger
Lower anchors for child seats in rear seats
Electromechanical parking brake
Pop-up roll bar system

Exterior

Singleframe® grille
Adaptive xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights
Automatic headlights
LED taillights and rear fog lights
Power-adjustable, auto-dimming, heated exterior side mirrors with memory
Headlight washing system
Audi RS exclusive dual oval exhaust outlets
Trunk-mounted lip spoiler
LED turn indicator lights integrated into the exterior side mirrors
Heated windshield washer nozzles
Audi RS exterior appearance (RS exclusive Singleframe® grille, front/rear fascia, wide-body design, Aluminum-optic exterior side mirror housings, and body-colored door sill blades)

Interior

Three-zone automatic climate control
Three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom sport steering wheel with shift paddles
Tilt and telescopic manually steering column
Power windows with one-touch up/down operation and pinch protection
Decorative interior inlays ²
Black cloth headliner
Acoustic folding roof—folds at speeds up to 31 mph
Dual front sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors
Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror with digital compass
Aluminum door sill inlays

Seating

Fine Nappa leather seats and door armrests
Twelve-way power front sport seats, including four-way power lumbar adjustment
Split folding 50/50 rear seatbacks
Heated front seats
Driver seat memory

Infotainment | Technology

Audi concert radio with ten speakers and single CD player with MP3 playback capability
Color driver information system
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with 90-day trial subscription ³
Cruise control with coast, resume and accelerate features
Audi music interface with iPod® integration
BLUETOOTH® wireless technology preparation for mobile phone ⁴
Garage door opener (HomeLink®)
Audi advanced key—keyless start, stop and entry ⁵
Parking system with front and rear sensors
Audi drive select
Rain/light sensor for automatic windshield wipers and headlights

Build your own RS5 Cabriolet here.

http://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-rs5-cabriolet/configurator#50710-8F75XY_U_0-2015/H4sIAAAAAAAAAPN1CtMNCjbVddY1MjA0rTE1MDc00LVwMzeNiIwPjTeAiLqZmimAQKiTsrmHk66faZhuoEmgLpDrZmiiYBQZ4FgDZ9QAAEmAkKlSAAAA

Tom Burkart

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.