Audi is going to change a lot of things that made the first RS5 Coupe so awesome. For example, it will replace the 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 with a 2.9-liter V6 that goes down the twin-turbo route.
We know this for a fact because the 2.9-liter block was rumored long before the all-new Porsche Panamera came out and indirectly confirmed it. So the RS5 will share its engine with the Panamera 4S, and that could even go as far as the 440 PS power output.
There are a few isolated incidents when this has occurred in the past, namely the 2.0T and S Diesel versions of the Macan SUV, which is underpinned by the Q5. What's more, it's not surprising that the next RS5 might have less power, considering the same happened when the S5 got supercharged.
Anyway, we have to talk about the RS5 test prototype recently seen in Spain. Local website Deco Ches has released three images of a mule nonchalantly strolling through traffic.
It's got the body of the regular S5 model with a few modifications. The suspension is slightly lower, and fender flares have been installed to compensate for the wider tracks. Around the back, we see a diffuser and the trademark double oval exhaust system all RS models have (except for the RS Q3).
All signs point towards late 2017 to early 2018 as the period for the launch of the next RS5 coupe. By that time, the entire Audi range will look a lot different, as the A6, A7 and A8 will be renewed too.
I guess we shouldn't complain too much about this performance coupe going for a turbocharged engine that's also downsized. After all, BMW and Mercedes did pretty much the same thing. But don't expect any significant weight losses or drastic fuel economy improvements.
There are a few isolated incidents when this has occurred in the past, namely the 2.0T and S Diesel versions of the Macan SUV, which is underpinned by the Q5. What's more, it's not surprising that the next RS5 might have less power, considering the same happened when the S5 got supercharged.
Anyway, we have to talk about the RS5 test prototype recently seen in Spain. Local website Deco Ches has released three images of a mule nonchalantly strolling through traffic.
It's got the body of the regular S5 model with a few modifications. The suspension is slightly lower, and fender flares have been installed to compensate for the wider tracks. Around the back, we see a diffuser and the trademark double oval exhaust system all RS models have (except for the RS Q3).
All signs point towards late 2017 to early 2018 as the period for the launch of the next RS5 coupe. By that time, the entire Audi range will look a lot different, as the A6, A7 and A8 will be renewed too.
I guess we shouldn't complain too much about this performance coupe going for a turbocharged engine that's also downsized. After all, BMW and Mercedes did pretty much the same thing. But don't expect any significant weight losses or drastic fuel economy improvements.