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Thread: The RS5? 2008 and why.

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  1. #1
    Registered User Damienr8's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leadfoot View Post
    I have a very good feeling that the RS5 will be with us in 2008 and will be running the current RS4 engine with a few tweaks.

    All the signs are pointing to a launch a lot sooner than current offerings.
    Think about it, the last S4 and M3 were equal on power but this time round the M3 will be up to 70hp more powerful, why would Audi launch the S5 now if it was not changing it's role in the range from the rival and alternative to the M3 to the now rival and alternative to the 335i. The S5 will be no more than £40K tops but will quite possible be no higher than £38K while the 335i M/Sport will be priced at £35~36K. The M3 has been indicated as costing as much as £48K a possible £10K price difference, the two models are no longer competing for the same customers where as a RS5 at £52 will be a direct rival in power and price bracket.

    This paves the way for the RS5 to enter a lot sooner into the market place and complete directly with the M3 instead of above it where it has previously been. This is possible because the basics are already there like the engine. Small tweaks like the ones the S5 received will give the RS5 a smaller power hike lifting the output to the 435~440hp bracket giving it a small edge over the M3 and justifying it higher price. There is yet no DSG gearbox and no trick suspension both of which have been talked about. The gearbox I believe will be launched with the A4 and introduced as a option on both models offering 7 gears, the suspension option will be either magnetic ride or air, I personally prefer the former as it's more in keeping with a sporty ride. Two things that will be standard and can transform the RS5 into a hell of a quick and capable car even with such a small power increase over the RS4.

    If the S5 can drop 0.5s from that of the S4 with a small 10hp increase than a like wise increase combined with DSG 7speed will drop the already amazing 4.7s official time to a more amazing 4.3s and keep the RS5 ahead of the up and coming M3. If BMW does introduce a CSL model then a RS5+ with valvelift would give it the extra power to compete and the suspension is inplace to be tuned to match it's handling capabilities.
    I agree with the fact that we will be seeing the RS5 soon. I think Audi is introducing the RS models earlier in the model lifecycles. I also like the fact that RS models are made in exclusive numbers, this adds to their value and uniqueness. I can wait for the upcoming A5 / M3 battles. But realistically, is the A5 really an M3 competitor. Are they in the same class?

    On a personal note, I Hope to god that horsepower wars stop soon. I can Imagine by the time im 40 years old, the RS4 will be pusing 850 HP from a quad charged V8 FSI Valvelifte.

  2. #2
    Registered User QuattroFun's Avatar
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    2009 is my guess for the RS5 intro. The challenge will be the engine - its closest peer - the current CLK 63 AMG - pumps out a massive 481bhp and 630Nm from a 6.2L V8 so the RS5 really needs a tweaked version of the V10 from the S8 to be competitive.

  3. #3
    Registered User Leadfoot's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by QuattroFun View Post
    2009 is my guess for the RS5 intro. The challenge will be the engine - its closest peer - the current CLK 63 AMG - pumps out a massive 481bhp and 630Nm from a 6.2L V8 so the RS5 really needs a tweaked version of the V10 from the S8 to be competitive.
    If their intend to put the 5.2L into the RS5, why give the S5 only 354hp that would leave a gap of well over 100hp if by your thinking they will give it similar power of the C63.

    You see this is my problem with this thinking, that is an almighty gap between the two models and a lot bigger than the last two versions.

    Why introduce the S5 now if this wasn't the intend power difference between the two models? The only way it could work is if when the RS5 is introduced the S5 gets a power hike more in keeping with a S model and why no standard A5 v8.
    Search and you will find the truth.

  4. #4
    Registered User QuattroFun's Avatar
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    Maybe they will use the current V8 4.2L FSI from the RS4 with Valvelift or maybe they will dump it for a turbo version or NA V10 - we will see. But: remember that the bhp gap between the current S4 and RS4 of just 76 bhp is an anomaly - not the norm. The MkI RS4 had 115bhp and the RS6 Mk I had 110bhp more than the S version. Also, the current S4 was originally intended to have only 300bhp until some wise guy from the marketing department wanted at a late stage it to be pitched as a M3 slayer and they designed it to have one more horse...

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