So is this the new RS5?
To be blunt, we’re not sure if this is the RS5. On the surface, this test car looks just like the S5 that was unveiled at Geneva at the start of March, right down to every last air scoop. But sources at Ingolstadt have confirmed to CAR Online that an RS5 is in the pipeline, and this vehicle could be a test bed for the range-topping model. Why else would this car be carrying such an array of test paraphernalia when the standard S5 is signed off? The RS5 will be bestowed with a more toned-up body kit, to make it a worthy BMW M3 rival. Expect a similarly discrete-but-muscular treatment as the RS4; if Audi gets gets the new two-door right, it could be the closest we’ve come to a successor to the original 1980 Quattro.
So what do we know about the proposed RS5?
We expect the free-revving, naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 from the current RS4 to be installed in the A5’s new platform. Count on at least 414bhp and 317lb ft – enough for rampant acceleration of the 911-worrying variety. The new layout moves the front axle 120mm further forward for better weight distribution, effectively nudging the motor back in the engine bay for a more even 55:45 front-rear balance. The A5’s engineering boss, Stefan Härdl, told CAR Online that the new layout dramatically improves the handling. ‘It really helps the steering – it’s more precise and direct than even the RS4, we’ve removed all the elasticity.’ If proved true, this is great news – since the next A4, A6 and A8 will all use the same layout.
What else can we expect?
Audi’s Magnetic Ride dampers are a certainty, although you’ll have to shell out at least £1200 for them. A manual gearchange and rear-biased quattro four-wheel drive will be standard; 60 percent of drive goes to the rear wheels for more alert handling. Will the R8’s ceramic brakes make an appearance on the RS5? If Audi wants to challenge Mercedes and even Porsche, it will have to pull out all the stops. Just don’t expect much change from £53,000. See our full studio shoot and interview with the people behind the A5 in the new May 2007 issue of CAR Magazine, on sale 30 March