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Audi insider: U.S. likely to receive TT-RS and RS5

 
7 9,773 views Mar 9, 2009

2010 audi rs5 spy shots 001

The RS5 will likely make its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show

The RS5 will likely make its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show

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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. 1
2010 Audi TT-RS

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 audi rs5 spy shots 001

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 audi tt rs leak february 009




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Comments (7)

  1. By NoNameDenton Posted: 9/15/2008 3:44pm PDT

    Oh well, the RS6 would have been too expensive anyway, and lets face it, the market is down.
     
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  2. By Michael D. Posted: 9/15/2008 3:57pm PDT

    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!
     
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  3. By NoNameDenton Posted: 9/15/2008 7:20pm PDT

    One could hope, but I would not hold my breath, I bet we get a diesel A6 before we get the RS6.
     
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  4. By www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 9/15/2008 10:09pm PDT

    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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  5. ma_GreyRazor avatar GreyRazor Posted: 3/10/2009 6:00am PDT

    It's about time we get more RS models over here. I don't think the RS6 would have been much more expensive than the RS5 as they share the same twin-turbo V10.
     
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  6. ma_Mike avatar Mike Posted: 3/10/2009 9:50am PDT

    Uh, Grey Razor, I think the RS5 has a tuned version of the RS4's 4.2l V8, not the V10tt of the RS6. It wouldn't make sense for the RS5 to have the V10, considering its market position below the 6.
     
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  7. ma_danDAN avatar danDAN Posted: 3/10/2009 6:07pm PDT

    Uh, Grey Razor, I think the RS5 has a tuned version of the RS4's 4.2l V8, not the V10tt of the RS6. It wouldn't make sense for the RS5 to have the V10, considering its market position below the 6.

    should have the non-turbo v10 to make it worth the extra $$ tho
     
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