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Audi RS4, A1, S5 and R8 V10 details
By
Ben Pulman
Motor Industry
14 July 2008 12:25
What about this forced-induction RS4 then?
The big news is that the next RS4 will get the same 3.0-litre supercharged V6 that will power the S4. When asked whether the market would accept the reduction in cylinder count, our source shrugged, pointing out that the original RS4 was a forced-induction V6 and only when Audi produced the current V8 RS4 did the market follow suit. ‘They [BMW, Mercedes, Lexus] have followed, but now we will go back.'
Why the supercharged V6? 'We want a high torque figure at low rpm,' our engineering mole said. But there won't be an additional turbo or two blowers, as either set-up would be too complex and not worth the extra gain.
Don’t worry though, because our source says the RS4 will be very sporty indeed. And having changed many people's preconceptions with the outgoing RS4 and latest R8, there's a will in Ingolstadt to keep the bar raised high.
What's all this about the S5?
We've recently driven the S5 S-tronic, but Audi won't be producing it just yet. Apparently just ten S5 prototypes with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission have been produced to showcase the transmission. However, the S-tronic 'box is supposed to be sporty and the S5 is all about comfort. That means it will stick with a conventional automatic for now. But we will find the seven-speed ‘box in the S4 and RS4, though manual gearboxes will also be available.
There's not much chance of the S5 getting the supercharged V6 either; apparently Audi sells a high percentage of S5s within the A5 sales mix, and the V8 suits the comfort-oriented nature of the car.
Click 'Next' below to read about this autumn's hot new V10-powered R8
