With Audi already now sporting an A5 and S5 cabriolet in its lineup, it’s almost a no-brainer for them to release an RS5 cabriolet variant to battle it out with BMW‘s M3 convertible.

It looks like the RS5 Cabriolet may become a reality sooner than later too, as Carscoop has gotten their hands on Audi’s official trademark filings for the convertible RS5 sports car. The images show off the facelifted RS5 sans roof, featuring seating for four and looks to sport the same soft top the current A5 and S5 convertibles have.

It will also be no secret what will be under the hood of the RS5 Cabriolet, with Audi pretty much confirming that it’ll be powered by the same 4.2L V8 with 450-hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system, just like the RS5 coupe.

GALLERY: Audi RS5 Cabriolet

[Source: Carscoop]

Audi will make the final decision to build the beautiful Quattro concept in six months. But in the meanwhile, they’re pushing ahead with further developing it…you know, just in case.

The company first mentioned that they would decide whether or not to produce the Quattro in two or three months. But now, the decision has been delayed even further—Audi is finding difficulty in justifying it in this current market, given the tenuous balance between price and performance targets.

The car would be built in low volumes, and would be difficult to turn a profit on; after all, sports coupes are never high sellers, appealing more to enthusiasts than corporate accountants. All of the body panels are completely unique, and its platform would have to be heavily modifed from the RS5 as a possibility. Even after Audi makes a decision in six months, the company says it would still be three years before production starts, just to get everything right.

The fact that Audi is still working on readying the Quattro concept, which cost an estimated $5.2 million to build, means that those within the company are very keen to see it on the road. Not at that price, of course. Other performance targets they are considering include a curb weight of just around 2800lbs, mimicking the original rally-storming Quattro coupe. The turbocharged inline-five engine from the TT-RS will be used, pumping out 400 horsepower and 354 lb/ft of torque.

And given the overwhelming response, Audi could certainly keep enthusiast momentum going by tantalizing them with rumors of production—only so many of us can afford an R8.

[Source: Motor Trend]

While we’re still anxiously awaiting the release of Audi‘s RS5 in America, tuners in Germany have already gotten their hands dirty with the car and finding gobs of horsepower with very little effort. While the stock 450-hp figure already seems potent enough, especially given how beautiful the RS5′s styling is, SKN has already taken the 4.2-liter V8 past 500-hp with a simple ECU re-tune and Milltek Hockenheim Edition exhaust system.

Actual horsepower figures and pricing hasn’t been released by SKN yet, just that they’re already finding the real potential of the RS5. Suspension wise they lowered the car on a set of Bilstein PSS10 coilovers and mated a set of 20-inch BBS CH-R wheels onto each corner. The 20×10.5-inch wheels are wrapped with Pirelli P-Zero rubber in a 285/30/20 size.

It’ll be a little bit longer until we’ll see the RS5 in America, and with the price tag it comes with it’ll be interesting to see how popular it’ll become. But there’s no question that we should be seeing plenty more from the aftermarket for Audi’s new player in the sports coupe segment.

GALLERY: SKN-Tuned Audi RS5

[Source: Automarket.ro]

Continue Reading…

Famed German tuners MTM have gotten their hands on the new Audi RS5 and immediately began to make upgrades.

Finding the factory speed limiter an inconvenience, MTM has been able to retun the RS5 to hit a blistering 188 mph on the top end. How functional is that for us Americans? Well, probably not much since we find it hard to ever go beyond 120… errr, 70 mph these days. So we’re not quite sure how or when we’d find a use to go 188 mph. But hey, those Autobahn-lovin’ Germans probably get the opportunity all the time and at $1,429 we sure hope they get some use out of the unit.

There’s no horsepower gains out of the raised speed limiter, but MTM did announce they have an exhaust available. We’re guessing that’s good for a better tone more so than for power since they didn’t release any numbers. And naturally, MTM has a selection of wheels that will fit the RS5.

Future modifications on their list includes full suspension upgrades and we’re guessing sooner or later they’ll get some big gains out of the ECU. Stay tuned.

GALLERY: MTM Audi RS5

Ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Auto Show next month, a complete brochure for the Audi RS5 has leaked online showing the muscular coupe in all its bright red glory. Looking at the photos it’s clear that the RS5 will follow in the tire treads of the RS4 and RS6, delivering massive amounts of power in a low-slung, fender-bulging package.

What the leaked brochure doesn’t give us, is the important info – like what engine is under the hood and how much horsepower it makes. Some have speculated it could use the RS6′s V10, while others suggest the S4′s Supercharged V6. We have reason to believe the RS5 is more likely to be powered by the RS4′s high-revving 420-hp V8, as suggested by the single tachometer photo which shows a redline at above the 8000 rpm mark – just like on the RS4.

We have to think this RS5 could focus more on light-weight than horsepower. After all, last year Audi did release info on an A5 using an aluminum (rather than steel) frame, along with a carbon fiber hood and trunk, that weighed just 2,888 lbs.

We’ll keep you updated, with live coverage of the Geneva Auto Show starting March 2nd.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Audi RS5

[Source: Ausmotive]