Audi RS5

Latest turbo-charged V8 flagship caught testing undisguised.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Autoscoop

25th September 2009

Audi's high-performance RS5 has stepped out of the shadows! Our photographers captured these shots of the upcoming performance coupe testing completely undisguised.

Powered by a 450bhp 4.2-litre twin-turbo V8, it’s more powerful than the 414bhp 4.0-litre V8-engined M3 and boasts a Quattro four-wheel drive system too, available with a choice of both six-speed manual and seven-speed twin-clutch gearboxes.

The choice of engine has come as a shock to many who believed that the V10 engine used in Audi's flagship R8 would power this latest performance model. However, high consumption figures from these large capacity engines have meant that manufacturers are reluctant to use them, opting instead for turbocharged, smaller engines.

Performance will be epic with 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph. The RS5 will be a match for the M3 in the corners too with stiffened and lowered suspension, a wider track and stickier rubber.
In addition to four-wheel drive, it will also boast Audi’s new active rear differential – as used by the latest S4 – which helps distribute torque to different wheels, aiding agility and traction.

Audi is expected to announced the RS5 at next year's Geneva Motor Show. Prices will start at around £48,000

12 Comments

RS5?

Completely undisguised? All I can see is a S5 with the RS5 frontend. That´s it. No wide fenders like the RS6 (they are of course camouflaged on newer prototypes), no RS5 exhausts and also no RS5 rearbumper. So, what we see here is a very old prototype that is far away from being "undisgused" cause there is not really anything to disguise.

By dimmak on 26 September, 2009, 5:56pm

RS 5 again....

Ah! And I forgot the automatic rear wing that´s mounted on the trunk. I can´t even see that.... :-/
So this red something is nothing more than an engine and transmission mule.

By dimmak on 26 September, 2009, 5:58pm

Another increasingly dull Audi offering

By mondeo_man on 28 September, 2009, 2:46pm

Dull?

What are you on about? A 450bhp modern day Audi sport quattro with a twin turbo v8? I struggle to see how that could be called dull!

By 67Sunbeam on 1 October, 2009, 9:07am

DULL???

Never!!
Understated, perhaps.
Subtle even .... for an RS.

By MontyX1 on 1 October, 2009, 9:37am

it is the RS5 for sure!

* The S5 badges is just to mislead us!
the honey comb Grill, the exterior mirrors - in all Aluminium = the Front part is typical RS version, the special carbon brakes..
{ autobild.de also posted these pics as Audi RS5! }

By Calvin on 1 October, 2009, 1:03pm

how much...?

starting at £48,000...must be the bargain of the century.... are you sure on the price auto express!!

By darrylt1 on 1 October, 2009, 5:02pm

How much...?

starting at £48,000...must be the bargain of the century.... are you sure on the price auto express!!

By darrylt1 on 1 October, 2009, 5:02pm

How much...?

starting at £48,000...must be the bargain of the century.... are you sure on the price auto express!!

By darrylt1 on 1 October, 2009, 5:02pm

@ Calvin

The S5 badge is just to mislead YOU it seems like.

Only the front bumper and the brakes shows us the RS5, THE REST IS S5!!! The front and rear fenders, the tail bumper and especially the exhaust ARE NOT RS5!!! Or why do you think are all the other RS5 prorotypes camouflaged on those parts?
And after fooling Auto Express with those pics you also had success by fooling Auto Bild.
And soon you´ll see that I was right when Audi is presenting that car, and then I hope Auto Expess will finally see that you sold crap....

By dimmak on 2 October, 2009, 7:30am

@ Calvin again

And I forgot a special RS5 detail....
WHERE IS THE AUTOMATIC TAILWING ON YOUR "RS5"??
I can´t see it! And all the other real prototypes that are driving around the "Ring" these days have it.
Another good sign that shows us, that the car on the pictures is nothing more than a test mule and far away from being the real and uncamouflaged RS5!!!

By dimmak on 2 October, 2009, 7:35am

@ Calvin again and again

AND: I forgot you silly argument about the "special carbon brakes".
I can´t see them either! Have you ever seen how carbon brakes are looking like? Obviously not!! Cause those are ordinary S5 brakes. No carbon at all! END OF STORY!

By dimmak on 2 October, 2009, 7:37am

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