The Audi RS badge returns at the head of the A5 Coupé range this week in the new generation RS 5, combining new styling, mechanical and specification revisions from a high-revving 450PS V8.

The sports car can be ordered now at an OTR price of £58,725, and will reach its first British customers in April.

As before, the 4.2-litre V8 that is hand built for the RS 5 and is closely related to the V10 that powers the R8 sports car delivers 450PS at 8,250 rpm and peak torque of 430 Nm at between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. It launches the coupé from rest to 62mph in 4.5 seconds, and where possible on to an electronically-limited 155mph top speed, which can be elevated to 174mph if the extra cost speed limit de-restriction option is specified.

Combined economy of 26.9mpg and CO2 output of 246g/km are respectively slightly higher, and slightly lower, than before.

Like all RS models, the RS 5 Coupé applies its power to the road with quattro permanent all-wheel-drive, which in this instance is further enhanced by the crown-gear centre differential that can vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles over a wide range. Up to 70 per cent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear, as necessary.

The ride control and dynamic steering options are available individually or combined as part of a new Sport Package, which also includes larger 20-inch rotor design titanium-look alloy wheels to replace the standard 19-inch examples and a sports exhaust system. Priced at £2,250, it offers a saving of £2,915 compared with specifying the options individually.