After introducing the RS 7 Sportback and the RS Q8, Audi has launched a third go-fast model. It’s the refreshed RS 5 Sportback, wearing a price tag of Rs 1.04 crore. Like the other two, the RS 5 lands in India as a direct import. That attracts hefty duties and explains the eye-popping sticker price. Yes, Audi did offer the RS 5 in its pre-facelift form as well. However, the main difference is that it was a coupe, and the facelift has come in a more practical four-door form.

Practicality is perhaps the least attractive aspect here. Why? Because whoever wants a performance-oriented Audi won’t necessarily care about how easy or difficult it is to access the back seats. The main reason one would buy the RS 5 Sportback revolves around the performance figures. Underneath that bonnet is a 2.9-litre V6 engine, accompanied by two turbocharges. An 8-speed automatic harnesses the 444bhp/600Nm and feeds it to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The result is a 0-100kmph time of 3.9 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250kmph.

In normal driving conditions, the Quattro system sends 40 per cent of the power to the front axle and the remainder to the rear. However, if required, the centre differential can send up to 70 per cent of the grunt to the front and up to 85 per cent to the rear. In addition, the RS Sport suspension enhances the driving dynamics. Engage the RS Drive mode, and the car becomes as good as it can get.

As far as the list of features is concerned, it is an extensive one. Stuff like 19-inch alloy wheels, multiple driving modes, Matrix LED headlamps, a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen display, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are just a few examples. The car also comes with three-zone automatic climate control, Audi Connect services, cruise control, six airbags, auto headlamps and wipers and support for Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay.

Rivals? Well, the closest one is the Mercedes-Benz C 63 Coupe, which costs Rs 1.41 crore. Besides the obvious difference in form, the C 63 is also a tad bit more powerful. But is it as good looking as the striking RS 5 Sportback? What do you think?