German car magazine "auto, motor und sport" has some pictures and a brief description of the upcoming RS5.

Summary:

- Will be introduced at Geneva in Spring
- 4,2-Liter-V8 with 450 HP (no V10)
- will be offered with the S-Tronic (no mention of manual)
- the photos are off a test mule, the final car will get a different exhaust and flared fenders.<ul><li><a href="http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/auto_-_produkte/erlkoenige/hxcms_article_514837_13987.hbs">http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/auto_-_produkte/erlkoenige/hxcms_article_514837_13987.hbs</a</li></ul>

With the flared Ur-Quattro fenders, this car will be a monster. Was hoping it would use forced induction though - oh well.


<img src="http://images.auto-motor-und-sport.de/hps/img/hxmedia/mpsams/2008/08/6J1jFvUwWBy66E_450x300.jpg">

I think it looks better than any of those aftermarket choices out there right now.<ul><li><a href="http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/audirs5kgp/1003264701?viewSize=thumb1280x1280">RS5 Spy Photos - Jalopnik</a></li></ul>

they really need to do something with the aluminum bumper beam; maybe black anodize it!

caught the distinct Arizona plate in the rear shot.

it's ok but nothing to rave about; it just looks like a S5 with really big notrils!!!

yeah
all this wait for this?
and this is probably going to have a 2 year waiting list judging by the wait list on the S5

Also the rear discs don't look complete, and of course no oval tips yet. Just a very early prototype.

I know I was. On the bright side, with 450HP maybe the price won't be so bad, $75-80K. If we compared the S4 price to the S5 there wasn't a huge increase. With only 30HP more, maybe the RS5 won't be much more than what the RS4 was in price.

the GTR (as it should), it needs F.I. I remember a few months ago when it was said it may use FI and have an output of 500ft/lbs torque. That's what I was hoping for. Sadly everything out there right now seems to indicate otherwise. By the time the RS5 hits the U.S. shores, I'd bet a gently used R8 will be around the same price as a new RS5. If this comes in as Naturally Aspirated as the article states - I know which car I'd rather have.

for the same price. Easy choice

Wouldn't that be the best option instead of using larger and heavier engines?

I love the sound of a V8 engine.

It's still missing pretty much *everything* aside from the bumper (which does in fact look pretty final...). Like Quattrings said, it's simply an early test mule using an S5 body.

I'm very intrigued by the intercoolers btw. It may be extra cooling for an uber-4.2 pushing 450hp+ <b>(which would be my favorite pick, being the lightest option as well as potentially the most affordable...and FAR from slow...and whoever said it needs to compete with the GT-R needs to stop kidding themselves)</b>, or it may actually be hiding some extra snail-shaped hardware in there (which is also welcome, but I fear it may be TOO expensive with anything other than a N/A 4.2). Only time will tell.

Don't get me wrong I love the sound of a 8,10 or 12 cylinder engine but I think the future will be big HP out of a smaller FI engine. Cutting weight is not only great for overall performance but better for MPG. Unless fuel prices come back down, the days of the big engine are numbered (just like in the 70's except this time I don't see them coming back). As for Lamborghini, if Audi builds a 500HP 6cyl FI engine, I would expect to see it in a Lambo first.

Wouldn't be surprised at all by a dealer markup either.

their power.