<ul><li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/rs5-stopgap-audi-gives-sneak-peek-at-s5-evo/">Autoblog on the S5 Evo</a></li></ul>

Anybody else worried that maybe there's a thought to upgrade the S5? That way, they would be able to increase its price so as to put it farther away from the A5, one-up the M3, and make it competitive with the BMW 650. They would also eliminate the notion that the S5 is competing with the 335. Otherwise, I can't imagine any reason to develop a model between the S5 and the RS5.

I would hate to see our current S5s become outdated so quickly (although Audi has had a tendency to do that in the past). Of course if the S5 had been a 420 HP S-tronic from the get go, it would have likely been more expensive...

i don't think it's a good idea on audi's part. first off, the evo edition would put the R8 in an awkward position (why buy an R8 when you could get the same numbers out of an S5?)

the evo edition would put the price of the RS5 well over the price of the R8. it's a good idea but to make it work Audi would have to lower the price of the low model S5 and keep the others under R8 prices or raise the R8 price (which probably wouldn't work for the R8).

Audi has to do something to the interiors to make people want to pay extra for a more expensive car. all of Audi's interiors are the same except for the R8, A8 and A3, everything else is pretty much the same.

offers better performance, but they are different animals. So the modified S5 will still not be a danger to R8. Different classes, different mentality and people shopping for it...

they will have the same engines.

They are very different cars. Mid-engine in the R8 instantly sets it in a totally different class.
The R8 sits lower and wider and has a more dynamic suspension. It has exterior bits and pieces to achieve down-force and the interior, while nice by super-car standards is not as comfortable or high feature as the S5 etc.. It also only has two seats. Things like this make the difference between prospective buyers.

The extra effort in driving dynamics employed in the R8 and the resultant decrease in comfort; stiffer ride, sacrificed luggage and passenger room will only appeal to car enthusiasts.

The S5 evo would accommodate people with more space, practicality and comfort.

The cars will feel very different, and represent different niches in the market. I think their largest advantage may be that they share the same great engine. Plus, the R8 is supposed to get a larger engine soon anyways.

The S5 is a GT while the R8 is a sports car (supercar to some).

There is WAY more to a car than just the motor.

maybe leaving room to make the RS5 a completely balls-out, 500+hp monster w/ a 6spd manual.

Maybe they are making room in the A5 line up for the 330hp version of the Supercharged V6 from S4, but didn't want to downgrade the S5 from V8...

so instead of the current situation

A51.8T&lt;323ci&lt;A5 2.0T&lt;325ci&lt;330ci&lt;A5 3.2&lt;335ci&lt;S5&lt;M3&lt;RS5

they will then have direct competiting model in every class:

A5 2.0T (detuned) = 323ci
A5 2.0T (211)=325ci
A5 3.0T(detuned A6 version)/2.8 =328ci
A5 3.2 = 330ci
A5 3.0T = 335ci
S5 EVO = M3
RS5

I believe that the R8 V8 will become history and be replaced with a V10.

RS5 may be a twin turbo V8 (4.0 TFSI) or a high revving 4.2 rated at 470 bhp, if rumors are to be believed.