Turbocharging is the trend today, as car manufacturers turn to forced induction to aid their downsizing programmes for better efficiency and emissions – even BMW couldn’t resist the lure of turbos! However, nothing beats the joy that a sweet, high-revving naturally aspirated engine delivers, so when rumours that the Audi RS5 is to come with a NA V8 (we also saw the 8000-plus rpm tacho in the leaked brochure images), we at paultan.org got properly excited.
Well, it’s confirmed now. The RS5 is powered by a 4.2-litre FSI V8 engine (also found in the old RS4 and R8, but with higher output here) which produces peak power of 450 bhp at 8,250 rpm, while torque is rated at 430 Nm produced between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. Audi promises that this hand made engine will be “right at home even at high revs – almost like a race engine”. Intensive fine-tuning of the dual-branch intake and exhaust system allows the undersquare engine to breathe freely; four adjustable camshafts and tumble flaps in the intake manifold facilitate mixture formation.
The R-tronic semi auto gearbox in the R8 haven’t received favourable reviews, so Audi has developed a twin-clutch, seven-speed ‘box for the RS5, which was specially reinforced to accommodate the high-revving V8. There’s also a launch control program for effortless traffic light drag racing.
The RS5 is no lightweight at 1,725 kg, but still manages 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds while top speed is capped at 250 km/h. Audi can increase that to 280 km/h upon request. Yes, please. Ingolstadt is also proud of the RS5′s comparatively frugal nature – fuel consumption is 9.3 km/l, far less than its main rivals, says Audi.
Like all RS models, the RS5 comes with quattro permanent all-wheel drive, but the self-locking crown-gear center differential is a new development. It’s compact, light and attains a high efficiency ratio. Thanks to its package of plates, the differential can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles – up to 70% can flow to the front or as much as 85% towards the rear. The standard ratio is rear biased at 40:60. A rear axle differential that actively distributes torque between the rear wheels is optional.
This “new quattro” operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring, controlling all four wheels. If one of the inside wheels becomes imbalanced while the vehicle is on the limit, the system slightly decelerates the wheel to cancel wheel spin, resulting in improved traction while “generating a yaw moment which aids cornering”.
The speed-dependent servotronic steering in the RS 5 is especially taut, claims its maker. The standard Audi drive select allows the driver to switch among three modes – comfort, auto, and dynamic – to adjust steering, gearbox, differential, engine and exhaust system. If your RS5 is equipped with the MMI navigation system, you can customize your own profile. The rear spoiler automatically extends at a speed of 120 km/h and retracts at 80 km/h.
Feast you eyes on the officially released gallery after the jump!
Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.
1st?
Quite like it. Waiting for reviews against the M3.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! simply beautiful!!! just too bad it's out of reach for mere mortals like us.
yum yum
M3 > C63 AMG > ISF > RS5.
This has got to be a supercoupe battle, so the C63 AMG and IS-F should be out of the equation. Unless, it involves the new RS4.
This leaves to , RS5 vs M3….
It's got a fat arse. But we bastards like fat arses,as long as the inside is nice and comfy to poke for hours.
Overkill.
Beautiful. The S5 was already delightfully impressive particulalry in the handling dept which Audis usually had issues with against comparable BMW so this RS5 is going to be very inetersting. Look at this spy video of the RS5 undergoing testing at Nurburgring. Looks very well poised.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F58dSZF7s6k
Definitely kill the American muscle
change the bumber looks like waja.
very very fast……screw the proton fanboys who are going to comapre this to their stupid protons
fuyoo..since u drive mazda does not mean you can talk loud…others who drive more expensive cars not have ego like you la..
BMW and Merc… you better watch out.
Apart from the ugly steering design, Audi built quality improving leaps and bound.
I like the automated "hide-away" spoiler…..
they should plonk this sweet motor into the Bufori sedan instead of the HEMI V8.
what the… beauty
nigttrain said,
February 23, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
they should plonk this sweet motor into the Bufori sedan instead of the HEMI V8.
_______________________________________________________
HEMI V8 is about copious Torque lower in the rev range. Perfect for the large Bufori sedan as it's not a sports car.
very the nice!
this would trump the m3.
the force is strong in this one.
pulge said,
February 23, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
Overkill.
_______________________________________________________________
there is no such thing as overkill.There is only "open fire" and "reload"
this car is so hot i jizzed my pants.
ExcLusiVe AmeRicaN muscLe callenger…!!
WouLd it b in de nxt MicHeaL baY fiLm…?! PosiBLe enuf…
why i see last pict , i remeber waja without nose..why?
powerful engine and multiple driving styles!! Its really Awesome!!
triple 2 said,
February 23, 2010 @ 3:03 pm
fuyoo..since u drive mazda does not mean you can talk loud…others who drive more expensive cars not have ego like you la..
———————————
problem is it is the under ego-ed inferior proton drivers who cannot accept that people are better than them
i like its design… looks great and i bet would sound great too.
fuyoo..since u drive mazda does not mean you can talk loud…others who drive more expensive cars not have ego like you la..
———————————
problem is it is the under ego-ed inferior proton drivers who cannot accept that people are better than them
——————-
i only drive FD but do not hv ego like u..why la..when u drive imported cars, does it state that u hv the rite to condemn other company…unless u own a the mazda corp then mayb u hv such ego to condemn proton..
to MAZDA 3 MPS + ANTI PROTON ULTRAS:
haiyoo.. so lousy ah? only 256bhp ah? want to try me ka? I wait you at the long stretch MRR2 starting from sg. buloh ending at karak toll gate. want ah? i drive black cayenne GTS only maa..should match you well. want ah?
or you need more touge course?..genting uphill + downhill? want?
talk so much. you think you already the best ka?..driving only 3, n then talk so big. try me 1st la. then i pay you 10k freely. want? dare me, i wait you 11pm tonight.
WTF911 said,
February 24, 2010 @ 11:55 am
to MAZDA 3 MPS + ANTI PROTON ULTRAS:
haiyoo.. so lousy ah? only 256bhp ah? want to try me ka? I wait you at the long stretch MRR2 starting from sg. buloh ending at karak toll gate. want ah? i drive black cayenne GTS only maa..should match you well. want ah?
or you need more touge course?..genting uphill + downhill? want?
talk so much. you think you already the best ka?..driving only 3, n then talk so big. try me 1st la. then i pay you 10k freely. want? dare me, i wait you 11pm tonight
————————————————-
go wait la. cayenne gts only. so poor ah cannot afford cayenne turbo?
The front looks like volvo. Dull.
To :
The Royal Academy of Proton Bashers said
come on la…does not matter what we own, still not rite la to bash other company, even toyota an established corp makes mistakes…if proton is not ok then its fine..just dont buy the car la, simple thing…
really like the cockpit…compare to M3…too "kosong"…
just share my 2 cents…