Debuting their RS configuration in 1994, Audi has limited quattro GmbT to the development and sale of a single vehicle model at one time. Curiously, Audi debuted the top performance line on a wagon called the RS2 Avant. Kicking the company‘s performance into a new gear, luxury car buyers craving adrenaline the Audi TT RS sports car and Audi RS3 Sportback have shown the German company’s speed plateau is big enough for multiple models. Another product included to the product range was the A5-based Audi RS5 Coupe. Taking over from the RS4 model, the RS5 Coupe was displayed to the world at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Announced for arrival in the United States market through a news release sent on June 2010, the wait is nearly over for North American Audi fans to encounter the charming RS5 Coupe.

Based on the Audi A5 introduced to the United States in 2008, the largely aluminum-sourced exterior styling receives a sharp reboot. Marrying the distinctions of classic and modern Audi aesthetic touches, a completely distinguishing profile is created for the RS5 Coupe. Flaring of the front fenders combined with the A5’s near fastback rear roofline revisits the magic stated with the Ur quattro sports car of the 1980s. Capturing the new Audi design direction first presented on the Audi A7, the blackened front grille and redesigned headlamp housings cast the premium car group’s 21st century image. The standard xenon hi-beam and LED low-beam lighting projected onto a street awaiting the Audi RS5 Coupe’s thunderous trampling. Overall 0.8 inches lower in total profile than the standard Audi A5 two-door, the RS5 Coupe rides on forged aluminum wheels within performance tires. Available for an extra cost is an Audi RS5 Coupe wheel and tire set around 20-inch rims.

While the new S6, S7 and S8 models showcased a new 4-liter TFSI V-8 power plant, the Audi RS5 Coupe is sparred on by a 4.2 liter FSI 8-cylinder engine. Borrowed from the base line of the Audi R8 supercar and similar to the engine found in the 354-horsepower Audi S5, the RS5 Coupe actually delivers the most robust display of raw performance from the V-8 block size. A hand-built powerplant incorporating improvements with a higher performance cylinder head, all-aluminum construction and gasoline direct injection, the Audi engine produces 450 horsepower alongside 317 foot-pounds of torque. The Audi RS5 Coupe’s 4.2 liter FSI V-8 is optimized to obtain maximum breathing as well as exhaust system flow. This 450-horsepower engine will be paired with an S tronic 7-speed dual clutch transmission promising near instant gear response for best performance and fuel economy.

In regards to what road characteristics Americans can expect from the Audi RS5’s is 0 to 60 mile per hour acceleration in 4.6 seconds. Depending on the request of driver’s, top speed performance can be raised from the Audi RS5 Coupe base 155 mile per hour electric limit to a more progressive 174 mile per hour benchmark. Though fuel economy numbers have yet to be published (for whatever concern it is to many premium sport car fans), the Audi RS5 Coupe features a special recuperation system to maximize the V-8 engine’s efficiency.

Featuring Audi’s all-wheel quattro drivetrain, a crown gear differential provides fast-acting wheel power distribution. Operating at a default rating of 40:60 with the rear wheels receiving the majority of the 4.2 liter FSI V-8 engine’s muscle, power can shift 70 to the front or 85 percent to the RS5 Coupe’s rear axle. Audi quattro drive with crown gear differential on the RS5 Coupe mates torque vectoring system and an electric stability program. In cases where the most aggressive track-like performance is being sought from the Audi RS5 Coupe, optional carbon ceramic brakes can be added to the vehicle.

Opening the two doors of the Audi RS5 Coupe, the sporty outer appearance is coupled with a racy inner cabin. Gripping onto a multi-function steering wheel, the driver of the RS5 Coupe is inundated by a colour driver information system. A variety of rich trim options such as carbon, aluminum, stainless steel and a glossy piano finish selectable inside of the Audi RS5 Coupe. Leather and Alcantara material upholsters the sport seating of the RS5 Coupe. Interior options available on the Audi RS5 includes MMI Navigation Plus system, Bluetooth phone and a Bang & Olufsen stereo sound system.

More detailed information on the Audi RS5 is expected as the car reaches United States shores in early 2012.

Information and photo source: Audi AG

68,132 readers of Auto Bild SportsCars just awarded the Audi RS5 Coupe with the title “SportsCar of the Year” for 2010 in the “Production Coupes” category. 173 cars were split up amongst 17 categories, which were then divided into two “production” and “tuning” subcategories, so I guess that would be 34 categories total.

In other awards, the Audi R8 GT won second place in the “Production Supercars” category, the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 won second in “Production Convertibles,” the Audi S3 Sportback got third in the “Production Compact Cars” class and the Audi RS 6 Avant also took third in “Production Station Wagons.”

Looks like those Germans are really proud of their Audis!

MTM Audi RS5

If you have a little more patience (and around 3000 Euros,) you can have MTM install their custom stainless steel exhaust for the RS5, adding a new sound, new look, and a little more performance. They also have an adjustable-height suspension in the works.

Those wheels you see in the images above and below? Those are MTM’s 9-spoke Bimono rims, available in 19, 20, or 21-inch varieties. Cost for those? 2249 Euros, or around $2900 USD for the 19-inch set. Pricey, but damn they look good.

Previously thought to only be released in Europe, Audi just confirmed that they will, in fact be bringing the RS5 supercoupe here Stateside. This also means they’ll definitely be downgrading the S5′s engine to a supercharged V6. That’s a shame.

The upcoming 2012 RS5 features Audi’s fantastic 4.2-liter V8 engine producing a massive 450 hp – a big jump from the S5′s 354 hp – and it’s naturally aspirated. All that power, of course, will be put down to the road by all four wheels via Audi’s quattro AWD system.

Pricing and details are yet to be announced.

We just got word of a rumor reporting that the coveted Audi RS5 super-coupe might end up coming to the States, despite Audi’s saying it’s for the European market only. Last month we learned that the RS5 will get a naturally aspirated version of the wonderful 4.2-liter V8 engine found in the R8. In the RS5, it will produce 450 hp with 317 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to propel itself from zero to 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds. The standard transmission is Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic box, with sadly no word of a manual transmission anywhere.

If we convert the 77,700 Euro base price into US Dollars though, it ends up running more than $105,000 – a price I’m not sure enough people are willing to pay.

What’s interesting is that Audi dropped the 4.2-liter V8 mill from the S5 this year, and now they’re just tuning it for a bit more power and throwing it into a slightly modified version of the S5 and charging over $20,000 more for it. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of additions that make the RS5 a worthwhile upgrade (like the new center differential, for example,) but by breaking that $100K mark, I think too many buyers will consider a different model instead.

I understand Audi’s hesitation bringing the RS5 over here, but I have to admit I’m glad they’re (potentially) deciding to do just that.

source: Automobile

Audi just released 45 photos for the upcoming RS5 coupe, and I have them all for you here in this photo gallery, along with the initial images of the RS5 leaked brochure. Also check out the Audi RS5 page for more info and news on the car.

More images of the RS5 than you ever wanted:

2011 Audi RS5

Just as we got our hands on the leaked sales brochure for the upcoming RS5, Audi trickles in some details about the car to keep our mouths watering until the Geneva show in March. So what does the RS5 have to offer?

Just as we expected, the super-coupe will feature Audi’s fantastic 4.2-liter V8, though it will be naturally-aspirated and not turbo or supercharged. Output is a healthy 450 hp with 317 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 60 mph comes in 4.6 seconds with Audi’s typical electronic governor kicking in at 155 mph. If you ask nicely though, Audi will bump up the top speed to 174 mph. Power is transmitted to all four wheels by the seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox, and nothing was mentioned of a manual transmission.

The RS5, which will be available in spring for MY 2011, has some unique details on the interior as well. Standard sport seats are power-adjustable and are clad in a leather and Alcantara combination. If you’re looking for something sportier, lighter and manually-adjustable bucket seats are available. On the other end of the spectrum, climate-controlled and heavily upholstered comfort seats are an option. Carbon fiber accents adorn the interior, along with aluminum and aluminum-look accents here and there. Other trim options are available, including “decorative inlays with a dark, stainless-steel mesh look, a black piano finish or brushed aluminum.” The driver information display also includes a lap timer and oil temp setting for taking your car to the track.

The 2011 Audi RS5 will get about 22 mpg average, which is impressive for a car of this caliber. On sale this Spring, the RS5 starts at a hefty 77,700 euros, or $105,590 USD.

The RS5 is not currently planned to come to America, but I’m hoping Audi decides to change their mind about that – this would be a great ride to have here in the States.

One of the sexiest cars on the road, the Audi S5, just got even sexier. AUSmotive.com somehow got their hands on a sales brochure for the 2011 Audi RS5 before it was unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. No detailed information about the upcoming high-performance coupe were given, but we think it will get a super- or turbo-charged version of the magnificent 4.2-liter V8 engine found in the R8 and other high-performance Audis. Expect a lot of horsepower here – this thing is going to rip up the road.

Sadly it seems no manual transmission is available, but I’m hoping Audi will make that an option shortly after launch. Notice the RS 5 badges on the front, back, and brake calipers, as well as on the door sills, seats, shifter knob, and standard-shaped steering wheel (not flat-bottomed as on the R8.) According to the pictures, a unique red/black interior color scheme is available, which looks very cool. Carbon fiber and brushed aluminum interior trim is ultra-modern and sexy. Three seating options and four wheels appear to be available as options. Please Audi, let this come to the States!

Update: Details on the 2011 Audi RS5

Check out the images of the RS5 below, and thanks again to AUSmotive.com for the info:

2010 Audi RS5

As we near the release of the 2010 RS5 supercoupe, we find some more spy shots of the car courtesy of Next Autos.

The RS5 will likely debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show sporting a modified version of Audi’s 4.2-liter V8 with around 450 horsepower. Considering how great of a car the S5 is, I’m very excited to see the RS5 in action. Since Audi decided to downgrade the S5 to a supercharged V6, it’s good we get to keep a V8 in the mix.

Huge air intakes, a rear lip spoiler, and wide fenders hint at the extra power under the hood from the V8 engine which produce a sound the photographers said was “to die for.” I don’t doubt that for a minute.

Check out the pictures at NextAutos

Previous spy photos: 1 and 2

Audi RS5 Spied at Nurburgring

Those sneaky spy photographers got a few more shots of the Audi RS5, this time circling the Nurburgring test track in Germany. The main thing to note from these shots is the retracting rear wing, much like the one found in the beloved R8 supercar. We assume it will deploy at a certain speed, just like R8 to keep the car planted on the pavement at high velocities. See below for the full gallery.

As we reported in the first article about the RS5 spy shots, the car will most likely be powered by a modified version of the 4.2-liter V8 found in the R8 and RS4. Expect around 450hp being passed through to the wheels by a six-speed manual or R-tronic gearbox.

Gallery below: