The Audi RS5 is factory tuned hardcore sports car from the German automaker with a more aggressive front end, wider wheel arches and brushed aluminum mirror covers while the interior will be filled with plenty of carbon fiber. Under the hood, the Audi RS5 will be powered by a 4.2 Liter FSI V8 engine and will be coupled with a 7 speed S-tronic gearbox. The power plant will be upgraded to produce 450 HP and will be more than enough to send the RS5 sprinting from 0 to 60 MPH in around 4.5 seconds.
As we are all patiently waiting for the Audi RS5 to head on over to the US, tuners are already giving us the goods to want the RS5 even more. The Audi RS5’s V8 engine already develops a total of 450 HP, but the tuners from SKN didn’t seem to think that was enough for the little sports coupe. They managed to increase the power to an amazing 500 HP by adding a SKN Power Tuning Stage 2 and a Milltek stainless steel exhaust system "Hockenheim Edition" with throttle control, including motor sports Cat/Cat replacement pipe.
Not only did they recalibrate the ECU unit, but the tuners from SKN are also offering a SKN optimized BILSTEIN PSS10 suspension system that is teamed up with 20-inch BBS CH-R wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires. The tuner is also offering Light Alloy Wheel Spacers.
However, despite the power increase, the tuner revealed nothing about the car’s new performance numbers. We know the standard Audi RS5 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed that is limited to 155 mph, but can be increased to 173 mph. We can only expect that the SKN RS5 will receive even better numbers.
German tuner, MTM, knows a thing or two about tuning up an Audi. One of their last projects was the Audi RS6 Clubsport which was an ugly car, but ended up having a sick power boost to the tune of 730hp. Not bad for a car that looked like a cab. Now, MTM is at it again, albeit on a much smaller scale. Their newest project is the Audi RS5 and, though MTM did not increase the 450hp found under the hood, they did adjust it a little to make the car much cooler.
Using a modified MTM motronic computer, MTM is able to ensure that the speed limited is removed from the Audi. The RS5 can now hit a top speed of 188mph compared to the standard 155mph. This upgrade program will cost the consumer 1,499 EUR. Put some extra cash down and the German tuners will add a new exhaust system with throttle valves and two end pipes. The added package also brings Bimoto rims in a 19” or 20” style available in two colors, 20mm spacers, and a TV set. An F cantronic air suspension system will become available soon.
Finally, we are not getting left out of the great European car market. Audi has just confirmed that they will be bringing the RS5 Coupe to the United States in 2012. It’s a few years off, but we are really thrilled about this new model. Under the hood will be the 450 horsepower V8.
Audi will also launch the R8 Spyder, which will be around $161,000. That price is for the six-speed manual models. The fancy six-speed R-tronic manu-matic is $9,000. Yes, $9,000 for a neat transmission that isn’t all that good.
We like the RS5 more in this case because taking the top off of a supercar usually doesn’t work well. The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet isn’t as good as the hardtop, the Ferrari 430 Spyder isn’t as good as the hardtop and we are betting that the R8 Spyder won’t be as good as the normal R8.
Like a family fighting about where to go on vacation, the Volkswagen Group are having a little internal conflict of their own. This situation could endanger the future of the Porsche 356, the Audi R5, and the VW BlueSport.
The VW BlueSport was shown at the 2009 Detroit auto show and it got such good press that it was close to production. Yet, because of the infighting, the vehicle is on hold.
So, what’s going on? Well, Porsche doesn’t want the next-generation Boxster to lose sales because of the cheaper 356. Audi, who is having issues with R8 demand, doesn’t want a third sports car to be put between the new Audi TT and their supercar. While VW really likes the idea of the BlueSport, they are currently occupied with other areas, such as the next-generation Golf.
"Sports cars are not at the top of our priority list," states chairman Martin Winterkorn. "This applies in particular to sports cars that require the collaboration of Porsche, which is not even part of the VW Group yet."
What? We weren’t about to announce the confirmation of the Audi RS5coming to the States without following it up with a few videos that will rev our engines up in anticipation. We’re only human, after all.
So, now that we do have our much-needed confirmation, we can sit back and enjoy a few videos of the sports coupe getting some miles put on it. The RS5 will be powered by a turbocharged V8 engine with a total output of 450 bhp at 8250 rpm and a maximum output of 317 lbs-ft of torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The car weighs only 3,802 lbs and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, but it can be increased to 173 mph.
The videos don’t show much in regards to the look of the car, but they definitely allow for an auditory triumph with the sounds of the engine doing its job. We’ve attached a picture gallery of the Audi RS5 for the more visual crowd. Enjoy!
