My FH5 Log: Battle of the RS flagships

The Audi RS6 Avant and the RS7 Sportback are the flagships of the Audi RS range, and they may be the last of these RS flagships to be equipped with pure thermal engines. In Forza Horizon 5, let's have a final salvo with the two Audi RS flagships.

The C8-spec Audi RS6 Avant and the 4K-spec Audi RS7 Sportback are regarded as the top guns of the Audi RS hierarchy, yet they pose only a minimal threat to BMW's M5 and Mercedes-AMG's E63. Both are equipped with a formidable 4.0L V8 TFSi engine featuring a 48-volt electrical system and a cylinder-on-demand mechanism for enhanced efficiency on the go. This engine delivers 600PS of power and 800Nm of torque. When paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox, it accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just over three and a half seconds, and with the dynamic package plus, it can achieve a top speed of 305 kph. There's even a performance variant that has seen its V8 engines enhanced to 630PS, reducing the 0-100 kph time by 0.2 seconds.

With their quick introductions done, it all comes down to this question: which of these RS flagships is the best? The RS6 Avant or the RS7 Sportback. With a bone-shaped circuit located near the Horizon Rush site as my laboratory, it's time for these blood relatives to settle the score for the last time in the heat of the rainfall. A fitting tribute to the last pure thermal-powered Audi RS overlords. Roll the tape.

Here are the results...

RS6 C8 - 1m07.818s (Wet)

RS7 4K - 1m07.100s (Wet)

It was a close result, but in the end, it seems the saloon equivalent is the winner after all. I didn't expect the RS7 to be slightly lighter than the RS6. No big deal.

As the Audi RS lineage prepares for the "new normal," we can be certain that the era of powerful Audis will never be forgotten by future generations. The C8-spec Audi RS6 Avant and the C8-spec Audi RS7 Sportback have made their mark, but one day they will return—this time as even more formidable versions that are truly challenging to handle. Remind you of any?

EPILOGUE

After delivering their final blow as pure thermal-powered RS overlords, the RS6 Avant and the RS7 Sportback are ready for their true final blow. Having winded up to similar levels akin to the RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance, I gave them roles that suit their personalities.

Trust anyone who has an RS6 Avant in their spare time because they had a lot of fun driving through the Swiss Alps in style and comfort. With that, I shall call you...Fuwari. As in, Fuwari Midorikaze, one of the Tricolore members from PriPara. Na-chu!

As for my RS7 Sportback, its high and mightiness as the true RS flagship invoked the wrath of a high-and-mighty PriPara idol, and with that, I shall call you...Chili. Chili Tsukikawa, of course.

With everything settled, Fuwari and Chili are up for their Making Drama they'll never forget. The RS6 Avant is taking on an EventLab re-enactment of a Forza Motorsport classic track, the Bernese Alps, while the RS7 Sportback is locked in a duel against...someone outside the temple in the middle of snowy weather. Making Drama, Switch On!

Chili may have a rough "chilly" day but Fuwari feels right at home with the Bernese Alps re-enactment. Still, kudos to the masterminds of these EventLab creations.

The RS6 Avant and the RS7 Sportback may be polar opposites, but they both share the same powerful engine that has driven them to the very end. They have fulfilled their purpose, but they don't have the classic "Beauty and the Beast" ending. As witnesses, we are grateful to observe their final days and are ready to share their stories.

Danke, RS6 and RS7. We'll meet again someday.

Audi A6 e-tron

The Audi A6 e-tron is a controversial vehicle. It started as a concept car, but now it's a reality. It's Audi's answer to the BMW 5-Series. It's an all-electric vehicle, so it's a competitor to the i5. Is it for the greater good, or not?

2025 Audi A6 e-tron

2025 Audi A6 e-tron avant

Starting at 62,800 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Audi A6 e-tron range morphed Audi's answer to the BMW 5-Series into an all-electric, all-original, presentation thanks to Audi's new naming policy where ICE-powered vehicles will have odd numbers while EVs like this have even numbers. Feeling the odd one out, the A6 e-tron is the business end of the controversial luxury EV market.

2025 Audi A6 e-tron interior

Drawing cues from its concept car from three years ago, the A6 e-tron features slim LED headlights and a closed-off singleframe grille, the hallmark of the e-tron styling. The saloon version features a sportback setting rather than the sedan look from its predecessor soon to be the next Audi A7 while the Avant version is surprisingly better looking indeed for a luxury EV estate.

Step inside, the A6 e-tron proudly displays up to five screens on its dashboard such as the curved MMI panoramic display that incorporates the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit instrument display and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, the additional 10.9-inch touchscreen on the front passenger side, and optional side-view cameras. On the comfort side, the A6 e-tron features luxurious extras such as four-zone air-conditioning, air fragrance repackage, electrochromic panoramic glass roof, and Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with headrest speakers.

In the topic of boot space, both the sportback and the Avant have 502 liters of boot space with all seats present, and in the Avant's case, up to 1422 liters of boot space with the passenger seats folded down.

2025 Audi S6 e-tron Avant

2025 Audi S6 e-tron

Running on the PPE platform just like the Q6 e-tron and 100kWh battery, the base A6 e-tron runs on a single motor powering the rear wheels, which sounds blasphemous by Audi standards. It produces 326PS of power output and has 621km of driving range. The quattro variant adds an additional motor at the front, resulting in 462PS of power, 855Nm of torque, a 0-100kph of 4.5 seconds, a top speed of 210kph, and 711km of driving range.

Those who demand more should go for the rear-biased dual motor S6 e-tron range with 503PS of power output with launch control engaged, sprinting from 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 240kph.

Audi's A6 and S6 e-tron models are mild to drive everywhere, especially on tarmac, gravel, and snow. They come with Audi's suite of intelligent driver aids, including adaptive cruise assist plus, active front assist, traffic sign-based cruise control, park assist plus, and rear turn assist.

Although a controversial move to be EV-only, the concept-turned-reality Audi A6 e-tron range nicked the status quo as the cheaper and more friendly alternative to the BMW i5 range. It really is the business end of the controversial luxury EV market.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi Q6 e-tron

The Audi Q6 e-tron is the first Audi crossover to run on the Volkswagen Group's new PPE platform. It's part of Audi's "progress is an attitude" tagline. But is it worth it? Let's take a look at it.

2025 Audi Q6 e-tron

Starting at 63,500 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Audi Q6 e-tron is the cheaper alternative to the second-generation Porsche Macan because it's twenty grand less, which sounds fair but is it worth it?

2025 Audi Q6 e-tron

2025 Audi Q6 e-tron interior

Beginning with the exterior design, the Q6 e-tron has taken a simpler approach which is clean by Audi standards. It features matrix LED front headlamps, OLED rear taillights, the signature Audi Singleframe grille, and other notable details that make it sporty, progressive, and perfectly proportioned.

Step inside, the Q6 e-tron is packed with the MMI panoramic display consisting of an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and a 14.5-inch touchscreen that controls almost the entire vehicle. There's even a 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display that can only be seen in the eyes of a front passenger, not the driver for safety reasons. Although as spacious as most crossovers in its class should be, it packs up to 526 litres of boot space with all five seats present or 1529 litres of boot space with the passenger seats folded down. It even has 64 litres of frunk space.

2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron

Running on the PPE platform and 100kWh battery pack, the Q6 e-tron's power output ranges from 292 to 387PS of power output with the latter sprinting from 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 210kph. The mid-range variant packs the longest driving range with up to 637km on one full charge.

Those willing to push further should go for the SQ6 e-tron with 462PS of power output when launch control is active, sprinting from 0-100kph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 230kph. Either way, they're both mild to drive everywhere, especially on tarmac, gravel, and snow, and they pack Audi's suite of intelligent driver aids consisting of adaptive cruise assist plus, active front assist, traffic sign-based cruise control, park assist plus, and rear turn assist.

The all-new Audi Q6 e-tron range demonstrates that crossovers are as popular as Hollywood superhero movies. While it may not be a superhero itself, it offers great value, costing less than its Porsche Macan sibling. Thoughts?

Photo: Audi AG

Audi A5 B10

Audi has a new naming policy where ICE-powered cars will be given odd numbers while EVs will have evens. As a result, the ICE-powered A4 range is now named the A5, a name reserved for coupe versions of the said car. What's it all about?

2025 Audi A5

2025 Audi A5 Avant

Starting at €45,200 plus additional costs, the Audi A5 B10 is no longer the familiar model for speed enthusiasts. The two-door equivalent of the A4 has now been restructured to replace it. However, the A4 may return in the future as the A4 e-tron. Ironically, with Audi no longer producing coupes, this aligns with their mantra that "progress is an attitude."

Beginning with the design, the A5 B10 looks subtle and attractive at the same time even when it was reformatted into a four-door saloon with the more spacious Avant in the party. Hinted by muscular proportions such as the flared wheel arches and the standard, electric tailgate, which opens together with the rear window, not to mention the choice of eight different digital light signature pairs, the A5 B10 is a concoction of business and leisure at a snail's pace.

2025 Audi A5 interior

Moving to the interior, the A5 B10 is futuristic even behind the wheel. On the driver's side, you are greeted by its Audi MMI panoramic display, which features an 11.9-inch instrumental display, a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen with the controversial ChatGPT integration, and an available 10.9-inch front passenger display.

Although slightly more spacious and more comfortable than its A4 predecessor, it's the Avant that takes the credit with up to 1424L of boot space when the passenger seats are folded down, giving you plenty of room for your quiet weekend drives away from your business degree.

2025 Audi S5

2025 Audi S5 Avant

At launch, the Audi A5 B10 is powered by a choice of a 2.0L TFSi engine with up to 204PS of power and a 2.0L TDi MHEV, which is sadly the one to avoid due to Europe's disdain for diesel. All are mated to a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic.

The S5 range, meanwhile, is powered by a 3.0L TFSi V6 engine that produces 367PS of power, and thanks to its said gearbox, the quattro sport rear differential, and variable AWD clutch, it sprints from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph.

Because it now runs on the new Premium Platform Combustion, a platform suitable for ICE-powered vehicles, which serves as a replacement for the MLB architecture, the A5 B10 feels more dramatic to drive than its A4 predecessor even with Audi's signature quattro all-wheel drive system, the integrated and blending-capable brake control system, and the brake torque vectoring for reducing understeer. It's common sense but it feels okay to drive even when feeling under the weather.

As for safety, the A5 B10 features adaptive cruise assist plus, active front assist, traffic sign-based cruise control, park assist plus, and rear turn assist.

Formerly known as the two-door version of the A4, the Audi A5 was reformatted as the replacement of the A4 thanks to Audi's new naming policy. This is no longer the A5 that speedo boys were familiar with and with Audi no longer making coupes, it's a sad day for them. It's a shame but as a replacement to the A4, the all-new A5 is all about continuing its predecessor's tradition as a direct rival to BMW's 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class. Morbid cynicism but it gets results. That's common sense to you.

Photo: Audi AG

My FH5 Log: The last 2-door Audi

The Audi RS5 Coupe is the last two-door high-performance Audi you can buy because Audi is no longer building two-door coupes after this. Here in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to pay a little tribute to the last-ever 2-door high-performance Audi from how it started to how it ended.

From the 8T model to the F5 model, the RS5 Coupe can be harshly called a two-door equivalent of the RS4 Avant judging by the fact that both share the same backbones. Anyway, let's get to know how it started and how it ended.

Let's begin with the first RS5 Coupe. Launched at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, the Audi RS5 is the powerful version of the Audi A5 coupe. It is powered by a 4.2 FSi V8 engine that produces 450PS of power.

Now, let's move on to the last-ever RS5 Coupe, a DLC car in the game. This model is now powered by a 2.9 TFSi V6 BiTurbo engine that produces 450PS of power and 600Nm of torque. The 8-speed Tiptronic transmission allows the RS5 to sprint from 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds with top speed normally limited to 250kph or with a little extra service that will raise the limit to 280kph.

The second-generation RS5 is the last DTM Touring Car to win the championship with Rene Rast behind the wheel. After that, the DTM as we know it is gone. Today's DTM became the equivalent of the GT300 class of the Super GT series with GT3-class machines ruling the pack.

To observe the advancements made by the RS5 from its initial V8-powered model to its final V6-powered iteration, I went to the Horizon Mexico main site to conduct this experiment. Let us proceed with the footage.

Here are the results...

RS5 (8T) - 1m18.195s

RS5 (F5) - 1m16.777s

Despite a two-cylinder gap between them, it took nearly two seconds for evolution. Progress is an Attitude, as Audi says in the commercials.

With the R8 and TT reached their end-of-life status, the RS5 Coupe is the next to be euthanized. Audi has been involved in making race-prepped coupes since the legendary Quattro and with the last two-door Audi heading to the crusher, Audi has nothing to race for as it only focuses on its Formula E involvement and its imminent F1 involvement with Sauber. It's a sad day for speedo boys who have been loyal to the Audi brand since the quattro. As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

EPILOGUE

The F5-spec Audi RS5 Coupe completed its mission in this unstable world but I decided to give the last-ever two-door Audi one last hurrah. But first...

Bananice, as one stage girl said. Bananice indeed.

With the "bananice" stage girl's name written all over it, my RS5 Coupe's final salvo takes place in an EventLab re-enactment of a certain racetrack I know. Let's roll the tape.

BANANICE, NANA-CHAN!

Thank you for everything, Audi RS5 Coupe. You may not be as good as the competition but you emerged as the last DTM Touring Car to be crowned as the champion and now that you've served your purpose, all that is left is for me to say...

ABSCHIED, RS5 COUPE. Abschied von der Audi-Zweitürer-Coupé-Familie.

My FH5 Log: The last Audi TT

Production of the Audi TT ended late last year, ending its 25-year run since its 1998 debut. Although gone, its legacy will never be forgotten.

The world already bid the Audi TT farewell but here in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to have one last ride with the Audi TT.

The Audi TT RS, in its final generation guise, is the ultimate version of the Audi TT, the fitting car for the TT's final drive here in Horizon Mexico. But first, a little re-introduction with this one.

The Audi TT RS is the ultimate all-around sports car, capable of reaching uncharted heights that no other sports car in its class dares to go. Powered by a five-cylinder 2.5L turbocharged engine, the Audi TT RS produces 400PS of power and 480Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed DSG, the Audi TT RS sprints from 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 280kph thanks to an optional extra.

For the 2020 model year, the third-generation Audi TT RS received a minor change, featuring an improved exterior design with wider air intakes, a new front spoiler, new inlets flanking the grille, redesigned sills with black inlays, a new rear wing, new air vents, and a revised diffuser. However, the 2.5L turbocharged engine remains unchanged, meaning it still has 400PS of power and 480Nm of torque.

In late 2022, Audi unveiled the TT RS iconic edition, of which only 100 were made for European customers. It features a unique aero kit, a special interior, and Nardo Grey exterior paint. In late 2023, Audi ended production of the TT, which had a three-generation run of 25 years since its 1998 debut.

I won this car at the Horizon Race-Off Storm Season Playlist and the way it looks and feels is just like its pre-facelifted equivalent that we had years ago. Despite donning a different look, it is still the unscripted hero we're familiar with, chewing off the Ariel Nomad and spitting its backbones.

It's still the 4WD sports car in its class you don't want to mess with because anyone trying to square off against the Audi TT RS will make them realize why it performs that others can't. With its unique turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, legendary quattro all-wheel-drive, and short proportions, no one comes close to the Audi TT.

To see how much the final Audi TT RS progressed compared to the first TT that got the RS variant, the second-generation Audi TT, let's drive these two at the Castillo Del Mar for a little progress check. Roll the tape.

And now the results...

TT Mk2 RS - 2m30.334s

TT Mk3 RS F/L - 2:21.7084

Nearly nine seconds. That's how much improvement the final TT RS gained from the first TT RS and Audi never joked about the progress the TT has made through the years.

Before making my last farewell with the Audi TT, I gave it one last attempt to shine and that meant calling in an old friend.

The third-generation Audi TT RS gets all vibrant and pastel for the role of Waccha PriMagi's Miruki Amauri. It's the same one I did from the pre-facelift but you will notice a slight difference between them. Don't thank me, thank Honeytan for this, dao.

With Miruki back for her final encore, it's time for the last Audi TT in history to perform its final dance. Roll the tape.

Not the prettiest ending I hoped for but this is how the Audi TT rolls.

It's been a privilege working with you...

25 years, three generations, one Audi TT. Beyond its tenure, this unique sports car chose to exist rather than to live, and in the end, it made a huge mark in the motoring scene. Although gone, its legacy will never be forgotten.

Auf Wiedersehen, Audi TT...