Motor Authority - blog Tag: RS5

When Audi released the RS4 back in 2005, few expected it to be a true competitor to BMW’s benchmark M3 coupe but with the benefit of quattro AWD, a high-revving V-8, and better weight distribution, the performance sedan managed to upset many, if not all, of its rivals. A replacement for the RS4 is still several years away as RS variants are usually only released in the final couple of years of a standard model’s product cycle, but to fill the gap a brand new RS5 model is on its way, spied here testing in the alps.

These latest spy photos show the RS5 being put through its paces ahead of a planned launch at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show....

When Audi released the RS4 back in 2005, few expected it to be a true competitor to BMW’s benchmark M3 coupe but with the benefit of quattro AWD, a high-revving V-8, and better weight distribution, the performance sedan managed to upset many, if not all, of its rivals. A replacement for the RS4 is still several years away as RS variants are usually only released in the final couple of years of a standard model’s product cycle, but to fill the gap a brand new RS5 model is on its way, spied here testing in the alps. These latest spy photos show the RS5 being put through its paces ahead of a planned launch at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show. Some of the clearest photos yet, these images include every angle of the car. Previous shots also revealed Audi has been testing the car in California’s Death Valley, which means a U.S. launch is highly likely, though the torturous environment also makes for a good test of the car's mechanical and cooling capabilities. With the release of the new generation BMW M3 Coupe and Sedan and the Mercedes C63 AMG, Audi will once again be playing catch-up but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve to ensure it will be the class-leader once again. One potential powertrain option is the same 4.2-liter V-8 as the RS4, however, power will likely be boosted to 450 horsepower. The car will also likely get the option of Audi’s newly upgraded S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox along with a conventional manual ‘box too. Other sources claim it may use a derivative of the V10 from the RS6, however, this is likely to be too expensive for a car that will have to compete in price with its aforementioned rivals. Read More

Late last month we brought you exclusive spy shots of a prototype for the new RS5, Audi’s upcoming M3 rival, and just like its rival from Munich the Audi super-coupe will be fitted with a naturally-aspirated and high-revving V8 engine. The engine will be the same 4.2L unit found under the hood of the RS4 sedan but some tinkering of its electronics and exhaust will see output rise to around 450hp (335kW) and 332lb-ft (450Nm) of torque in the RS5.

The new RS5 should be hitting dealerships in Europe later this year following its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. According to CAR, the RS5 will weigh substantially less than... Late last month we brought you exclusive spy shots of a prototype for the new RS5, Audi’s upcoming M3 rival, and just like its rival from Munich the Audi super-coupe will be fitted with a naturally-aspirated and high-revving V8 engine. The engine will be the same 4.2L unit found under the hood of the RS4 sedan but some tinkering of its electronics and exhaust will see output rise to around 450hp (335kW) and 332lb-ft (450Nm) of torque in the RS5. The new RS5 should be hitting dealerships in Europe later this year following its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. According to CAR, the RS5 will weigh substantially less than the V8-powered S5 and should be able to dispense with a sprint to 60mph in under five seconds. Pricing hasn't yet been revealed but considering that the current Audi S5 model comes in at around $50,000 and the current BMW M3 starts at around $56,000, we wouldn't expect the new RS5 to head much north of $60,000 when it does finally arrive. Next year, Audi will launch a convertible version of the RS5, just as it did with the RS4 line. Expect to see the same folding soft-top as the A5 and S5 Cabrio models.2010 Audi RS5 spy shots Read More

When Audi released the RS4 back in 2005, few expected it to be a true competitor to BMW’s benchmark M3 coupe but with the benefit of quattro AWD, a high-revving V8, and better weight distribution, the performance sedan managed to upset many, if not all, of its rivals. A replacement for the RS4 is till several years away as RS variants are usually only released in the final couple of years of a standard model’s product cycle, but to fill the gap a brand new RS5 model is due.

These latest spy photos show the RS5 being put through its paces ahead of a planned launch at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. One new feature not... When Audi released the RS4 back in 2005, few expected it to be a true competitor to BMW’s benchmark M3 coupe but with the benefit of quattro AWD, a high-revving V8, and better weight distribution, the performance sedan managed to upset many, if not all, of its rivals. A replacement for the RS4 is till several years away as RS variants are usually only released in the final couple of years of a standard model’s product cycle, but to fill the gap a brand new RS5 model is due. These latest spy photos show the RS5 being put through its paces ahead of a planned launch at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. One new feature not previously seen is an adjustable rear bootlid spoiler. Previous shots also revealed Audi has been testing the car in California’s Death Valley, which means a U.S. launch is highly likely. With the release of the new generation BMW M3 Coupe and sedan and the Mercedes C63 AMG, Audi will once again be playing catch-up but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve to ensure it will be the class-leader once again. One potential powertrain option is the same 4.2L V8 as the RS4, however, power will likely be boosted to 450hp (335kW). The car will also likely get the option of Audi’s newly upgraded S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox along with a manual transmission. Other sources claim it may use a derivative of the V10 from the RS6, however, this is likely to be too expensive for a car that will have to compete in price with its aforementioned rivals.2010 Audi RS5 spy shots Read More

The hotly-anticipated TT-RS will hit showrooms in Europe by the middle of the year but ask Audi when it will arrive in the U.S. and the only answer you will likely receive is that it’s still under consideration. A similar response can be expected for the even more extreme RS5, scheduled to be revealed for the first time at the end of the year, but given the halo status of these two models Audi would be foolish to ignore the U.S. market.

An inside source at Audi has offered a glimmer of hope, claiming the chances of the TT-RS and RS5 hitting U.S. showrooms is very high. Speaking with MotorTrend, the insider explained that Audi... The hotly-anticipated TT-RS will hit showrooms in Europe by the middle of the year but ask Audi when it will arrive in the U.S. and the only answer you will likely receive is that it’s still under consideration. A similar response can be expected for the even more extreme RS5, scheduled to be revealed for the first time at the end of the year, but given the halo status of these two models Audi would be foolish to ignore the U.S. market. An inside source at Audi has offered a glimmer of hope, claiming the chances of the TT-RS and RS5 hitting U.S. showrooms is very high. Speaking with MotorTrend, the insider explained that Audi traditionally staggers the launches of its different model variants to keep excitement going. The TTS and updated S5 Coupe and new Cabrio have just been launched so Audi doesn’t want the high-performance RS models coming in and stealing all the limelight – not yet anyway. According to the insider, the most likely launch for the TT-RS in the U.S. will be towards the end of the year, while the RS5 won’t roll in until sometime next year. Chances for the range-topping RS6 are slim, however. Emissions testing is the culprit, since the RS6's twin-turbo V10 powerplant just isn't clean enough to make a reasonable business case. Powertrain options for the RS5 remain cloaked in secrecy but 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. Expect to see the RS5 make its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.Photo Gallery no. 12010 Audi TT-RS Read More