Wednesday 24th February 2010

Audi RS5 Breaks Cover

Latest RS car from Audi set for Geneva unveil

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Audi is to reveal its latest RS-badged car, the RS5 coupe, at the Geneva motor show.

Precisely three decades after it first revealed the iconic and revolutionary four-wheel-drive Audi Quattro coupe, Audi is set to launch its latest all-wheel-drive super-coupe in the metal at the very same show.

Things have moved on quite a bit in those 30 years, however. Instead of 197bhp, the RS 5 gets a rather meatier 444bhp to put through its wheels, and 317lb ft of torque between 4000rpm and 6000rpm.

That's enough, says Audi, to propel the RS 5 to 62mph in 4.6secs. Top speed is limited to 155mph.

Despite 4.2 litres being a familiar capacity for an Audi V8 (you may remember it from such models as the most recent RS4 and the current and previous A8s), the high-revving motor (the red line only comes in at 8250rpm) is actually derived from the Audi R8's V10.

Putting the power down on the road - and making its debut in an Audi RS car - is a 7-speed twin-clutch S tronic transmission, which Audi says has been 'specially reinforced for its latest role'.

The biggest trick for the new RS5 is a new crown-gear centre differential. A package of plates allows it to vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles, permitting up to 70 per cent of torque to head for the front wheels, or as much as 85 per cent towards the rear. The standard setting puts 60 per cent of twist to the rear.

The RS5 also gets Audi's sport differential tech on the car's rear axle, which actively distributes torque between the rear wheels in order to boost stability and grip at the limit.

The visual tweaks are relatively restrained, with trademark twin oval tailpipes, a large rear diffuser and a retractable tail spoiler being the most obvious indicators of the RS5.

Inside, carbon fibre and aluminium trim mixes with Nappa leather upholstery, while an oil temperature gauge and a lap timer for circuit (or M25-ring?) use also make an appearance.

UK order books for the RS5 open in the spring, with first deliveries - for those who have shelled out around £58,500 - beginning in October.

[beebs90]

I love this car, if only i could afford one. just love the shape and its looks inside and out. Not useuly an Audi fan but this is on my list of cars i must own in the very far future. (i hope)

[TomS146]

Same here not usually an Audi fan but that is pretty awesome, would have one over an M3 if I had to make the choice.

[V]

Oi, this was my story!

[traffman]

That looks very nice , would look fantastic in white . Those wheels look huge aswell , 20 inches?

[spydersingh]

Is it just me or do these new Audi's fail to excite anymore?

[vintageracer01]

Well, it's an Audi. What would you expect??? Nice style but nothing surprising.

But what a very nice engine bay!!!



I like that you can see some of the head covers IN RED!!! Great.

I wish others would do that more and not just slap some plastic cover on top of everything.

Edited by vintageracer01 on Wednesday 24th February 01:48

[Northern Munkee]

Lose the chrome bling and decals keep the rims. I'll know and that's all that matters.

[slipstream 1985]

wheres the manual box?

[ScottishSamurai]

Northern Munkee said:

Lose the chrome bling and decals keep the rims. I'll know and that's all that matters.

*Looks for decals*

• fails to stop decals*

What decals?

[turbo-ww]

No doubt some wassock will be along soon and call it boring.....

[turbo-ww]

spydersingh said:

Is it just me or do these new Audi's fail to excite anymore?

My mistake, one already has.

[CooperS]

In my head im thinking so... not WOW!!!

If i had enough money i would love to get a RS6 Avant and love the idea of the RS4 Avant but this is just :shrug:

Someone at work has a S5 and its nice... more than that its great bit of kit but it doesn't get me all excited and cant see how anyone could... just another Audi....

I suppose i feel like all manufactures like BMW M sport vs proper M cars and Audi SX vs RSX there are so many similar cars i just dont visually get excited anymore all a bit to diluted by flared arches and the same top end engine.

[FOURRONE]

Nice machine audi do some great cars these days

[mybrainhurts]

Unveil...?

[Or888t]

Looks great, what a machine.
Most audis do look boring as hell though, Rs4 and this new Rs5 that do it, thats it.
Its like they've stoped bothering competing with merk and bm styling wise, and are just sticking to the old customers they already have.

[GingerWizard]

I absolutely love the A5. Gorgeous car, i bet this will look fantastic in the real world. I would if i had 60k.....

[Gizmo!]

I think it's funny how this shape looks a bit dull in photos. In the metal, it's all tension and muscle - I'll have mine in black please!

[iluvmercs]

Whatever happened to the murmurings of a supercharged V8 in the RS5?
I wonder how this newer 4.2 differs from the RS4's engine? There is power increase of about 30bhp, with the figure torque being pretty much the same (and this is something I've found wanting at times with the RS4 motor).

It's still a stunning car, although how many are actually sold for the £58k price is anyones guess.

"You have £58k, Sir? Well you can buy the shell and the engine. If you would like more, then you'll have to pay for that, Sir."

Having mentioned those points about the price and torque figure, I'd buy one in heartbeat if I had the funds! It looks glorious. I'll take mine in Suzuka Grey, or maybe Ibis White please!

Darren

[Essex Exile]

All very nice, but it ain't a (UR) Quattro, is it?
That is one of my all time favourite cars. new Audi's, R8 included, leave me cold.

[TU Tuning]

Really like that, the corporate face fits for the first time in quite some time, and perfectly so too. Just the right mix of style and aggression.

Look forward to hearing how it turns out in the drivers seat, and seeing one on the road