Audi RS5 coming to 2009 Detroit Auto Show, no RS6 for U.S.

Posted Mon Sep 15 2008 2:25 PM by Nelson Ireson

Late last month our spy photographers captured images of the still-in-development Audi RS5, and now word has leaked that the car will make its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show in 2009. Unfortunately, however, it will not be accompanied by the 2009 RS6, which is off the table for American sale.

Emissions testing is the culprit, since the RS6's massive twin-turbo V10 powerplant just isn't clean enough to make a reasonable business case, reports Edmunds. That means the hottest of hot family sedans will be staying out of the states for its current iteration. Its coupe cousin, the RS5, however, will be coming to America and so too will the expected 2012 next-generation RS6, according to Jens Koch, Audi's project manager for the RS6.

The next-gen RS6 will slay the current car's dragons of heavy weight and hefty fuel consumption with a revolutionary new design, says Koch. Until then, however, Americans will have to make do with the RS5, which will be closely followed by the RS4 - a brutally potent sedan in its own right.

Powertrain options for the RS5 remain cloaked in secrecy despite the essentially nude spy photos of the car in testing. One of the primary options - and a likely one given the status of Audi's U.S. emissions plans - is to take the 4.2L V8 from the RS4 and tune it a bit more violently, for about 450hp (335kW). Pairing the V8 with a dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox would also make sense given the RS5's market position.

For more details on the upcoming RS5 coupe, read our previous coverage here.

Gallery: Audi RS5 Spy shots

Reader Comments

Mon Sep 15 2008 3:44 PM
NoNameDenton says

Oh well, the RS6 would have been too expensive anyway, and lets face it, the market is down.
Mon Sep 15 2008 3:57 PM
Michael D. says

It's all good, and the RS5 (perhaps RS4, too) will continue to sport a highly tuned V8!
OK, we won't get the RS6 in this current generation, but, it'll happen with the next-generation A6!
Mon Sep 15 2008 7:20 PM
NoNameDenton says

One could hope, but I would not hold my breath, I bet we get a diesel A6 before we get the RS6.
Mon Sep 15 2008 10:09 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says

If Porsche has its way and wins control the RS6 will never show up as it might feel it would steal sales from their soon to be launched sedan.

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