When Audi released the RS4 back in 2005, few expected it to be a true competitor to BMW’s benchmark M3 but with the benefit of quattro all-wheel drive, a high-revving V-8, and better weight distribution, the performance sedan managed to upset many, if not, all of its rivals.
A replacement for the RS4 is till several years away as RS variants are usually only released in the final couple of years of a standard model’s product cycle, but to fill the gap a brand new RS5 model is due.
Images of the 2011 Audi RS5 have now leaked ahead of the car’s world debut scheduled for next month’s 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
No official specs have been released but from the last images we can clearly see that the new RS5 will be sporting an adjustable rear bootlid spoiler.
One potential powertrain option is the same 4.2-liter V-8 as the RS4, however, power will likely be boosted to around 450 horsepower. The car will also likely get the option of Audi’s newly upgraded S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox along with a manual transmission. Other sources claim it may use a derivative of the V-10 from the RS6, but this is likely to be too expensive for a car that will have to compete in price with its aforementioned rivals.
The new RS5 is scheduled to go on sale in Europe this July and previous spy shots of prototypes testing in the U.S. suggest the car could be in local showrooms by the end of the year.
source: motorauthority
