2023 Audi RS4 Avant & RS5, now with new Competition packages!

Performance divisions are no stranger to the car industry nowadays. However, many manufacturers nowadays see them as an opportunity to exploit customers by merely stamping performance badges and offering trimmings that often add little-to-nothing on the actual performance improvement.

And on which spectrum does Audi currently stand? Well, you be the judge.

Following the recent announcement on the new Audi R8 GT, Audi unveils the brand-new Competition packages for its range-topper performance models, the RS4 Avant and RS5. Coming in two levels, the Competition and Competition plus, said packages apply for both the Coupe and Sportback variants of the RS5 as well as the RS4 Avant.

The lower spec, the Competition package, offers a new RS Sports Exhaust System Plus in the form of dual oval-shaped tailpipes. The new exhaust system is said to produce “more intense” sound, plus an 8 KG reduction in the sound dampening components and materials in both engine bays and interior, enabling the customer to ‘hear’ their twin-turbo V6 roar louder and better.

Few adjustments were also made on the software for the RS powertrains, now boasting quicker gear shifts and more nuanced difference between driving modes. With the top speed limiter also being tweaked, both RS models now can go around 290 KM, flat out.

No surprise, the boldest part of this package update is in the trim pack. Said update consists of new blackened badges, matte-finished carbon parts including the mirrors, flaps and blades, as well as new rear diffuser trim. Topping the cosmetics upgrade is the Phantom Black finished 20-inch wheels, available as extra options.

Hopping inside, the first thing that pops out is the new RS sport seats. Donning the black and red trim finishes, the new seat is made of Dinamica’s proprietary faux suede and Pearl Nappa leather. The side panels now come in glossy Piano Black finishing and the seat belts now match the seats’ black-red finishing.

For the Competition Plus package, all aforementioned upgrades are also included, plus some extras. Firstly, the range-topper package includes the manually-adjustable RS Sport Suspension Pro set of springs. The new dampers prompted a 10 MM decrease in ride height over the lower spec package, with an option to further decrease 10 MM more.

Further upgrades consist of a new 1:13:1 ratio steering wheel, replacing the standard dynamic steering assist for a sportier driving sensation. Not to forget, the re-tuned Quattro Sport Differential now emphasises on sending more beans to the rear wheels. Ceramic brakes also come as standard with this package, plus the tweaked ABS software reducing the RS’s stopping distance from 100 KMH by 2 metres.

Unfortunately, the powertrain receives no further modifications. The 2.9 L twin-mill V6 engine, standard across the package, still outputs 444 HP and 600 NM of torque. But fret not, said tweaks and new features offered by both packages do help make the vehicles a tad bit zippier. Zero to 100 KMH now is in 3.9 seconds for the RS4 Avant – a 0.2 seconds quicker than the stock. Both RS5 Coupe and Sportback also improved their 0-100 KMH time by a mere 0.1 seconds, now 3.8 seconds.

Both Competition packages are poised to debut on European soils later in July 2023. Prices started at €7,875 (RM35,906) for the base Competition package, and an eye-opening €11,875 (RM54,144) asking price for the superior Competition Plus package.