Just through from Audi now is official confirmation that the RS5 will debut at Geneva as expected. Following the leaked images of the RS5 over the weekend Audi has also confirmed the car’s basic specs, which are pretty much as reported last week.
Powered by a naturally aspirated high rev 4.2-litre V8 FSI, the RS5 will have peak power of 331kW (450PS) at 8250rpm, with maximum torque of 430Nm available from 4000-6000rpm. Coupled with a specially reinforced 7-speed S tronic transmission the RS5 is able to accelerate to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. Not bad for a car tipping the scales at more than 1725kg. This is the first of Audi’s RS models to be fitted with the double clutch technology and, at this stage, there is no word on a manual gearbox option.
The engine is derived from the acclaimed B7 RS4 model, but advancements to the engine management, intake and exhaust have enabled Audi engineers to find more power and torque, while at the same time improving overall efficiency. Highlighted by the claimed average fuel consumption of just 10.8l/100km. That’s impressive.
Also getting a once over is the car’s quattro all-wheel drive system. Now fitted with a self-locking crown-gear differential, up to 70% of available torque can be sent to the front wheels, or up to 85% to the rear. In normal conditions the torque is split 40:60, front to rear.
Riding on either 19″ or optional 20″ alloy wheels the RS5 is fitted with 265/35 tyres as standard. To ensure the RS5 can stop effectively 365mm vented discs can be found up front, with the option of 380mm ceramic carbon discs, as well.
After driving the V8 powered S5 last year, I was left feeling like the car was more lazy cruiser than ball tearing coupe. The added power of the RS5 is one thing, but have Audi been able to give the overall driving experience a bit of a nudge as well? Something a car like this both demands and deserves. I’ve heard one unsubstantiated rumour about the RS5’s exploits around the Nürburgring Nordschleife (sub 8 minutes), and if that proves correct it would seem Audi have got it right. For reference, the E92 BMW M3’s best unofficial time stands at 8:05 as tested by Horst von Saurma from German publication Sport Auto.
Other points of interest include an ESP system that can be completely disabled if required. A rear wing, usually hidden in the boot lid, will raise automatically at speeds over 120km/h, it will retract again once speed is below 80km/h. The underbody of the RS5 has been designed to aid downforce, while also providing optimum cooling benefits to the brakes and S tronic gearbox.
Usual Audi RS styling tweaks, such as flared wheel guards and twin oval exhaust tips are also seen on the RS5, as most readers will already be aware.
The RS5 will go on sale in Europe in a few weeks, with a starting price of around €77,700 (AU$117,500). Sadly, you can bet the RS5 will cost a lot more than that when it makes it to Australian shores before the end of 2010.
The full press release from Audi can be read below and six more new pics are also available in 2000px super image sizing.
