RS5 Stopgap? Audi gives sneak peek at S5 Evo
It's not often that an automaker invites the press to drive a developmental test mule, but that's just about what happened recently at the Ricardo test circuit in Valencia, Spain, where Audi brought out four examples of what's being called an S5 Evo for select members of the automotive press to sample.
While Audi is expected to unveil the new RS5 in March at the Geneva Motor Show, speculation has been running rampant as to what will be packed underneath the hood, with a turbocharged version and a V10 being touted as strong possibilities. The S5 Evo, however, was being driven by a tuned version of the S5's 4.2-liter V8 with 420 hp – instead of the standard 354 – that drove all fours through Audi's new S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox. Whether his model will ever see the light of day remains to be seen, but could depend partially on public feedback. So what do you think, does an S5 Evo have a place in the Audi line-up between the existing S5 and the upcoming RS5? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
[Source: InfoMotori via Auto Unleashed]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RG 10:44AM (8/25/2008)
The wheels look a little small.
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Brian 11:42AM (8/25/2008)
Wheels look too small? Seriously?
Have we really reached that point in our society?
bob 12:33PM (8/25/2008)
Thank God it's not sporting something ridiculous like 20" wheels on a performance car. I don't care what car it is, that's just stupid when it comes to performance. The GT-R, for example, would look just fine with 19s or even 18s with a coinciding suspension lowering to remove any extra wheelwell gap.
Let's face it, 20 inches or larger belong on an SUV, not a sports car.
Eddie 1:30PM (8/25/2008)
I think it would look much better with 20s. 18s look goofy.
styleguy 11:04AM (8/25/2008)
I really wanna see the V10 in the A5. It would be the most attractive model from Audi with the division's best engine! I'm not shunning the R8 and TT, though.
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B 11:16AM (8/25/2008)
I originally thought that this wouldnt have a place between the RS5 and the S5 but the more i think about it it would all depend on marketing. If it was offered as a different model i think it would be useless, but just as an engine upgrade to the S5 engine it has possibility.
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Todd 11:16AM (8/25/2008)
I would prefer that Audi leave the "evo" option for the convertible version only. And make the RS5 hardtop only. I have always thought being able to get an RS4 convertible dilutes the meaning of the "RS" designation ( resulting in trophy wives of wealth oil barron's going shopping in an RS4, never exceeding 50 miles an hour ).
Preferred line up / options:
A5
S5 hard top ( no eco option )
S5 convertible ( evo option )
RS5 ( hard top only )
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Tony2X 1:08PM (8/25/2008)
If the car is stiff enough minus its roof then I'm ok with a RS5 cabrio. The current RS4 drop top is a dog of note but the donor vehicle is hardly the last word in torsional rigidity.
Having driven a few examples of the M3 conv. (previous 2 generations) there is plenty of evidence that losing the roof doesn't necessarily mean a bad drive.
David Wiles 11:23AM (8/25/2008)
Autoblog used to have the Mustang variant of the day Now it's the Audi
Boring!
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Franz 11:31AM (8/25/2008)
No baby steps... bring on the RS5!
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Jp 11:43AM (8/25/2008)
"The S5 Evo, however, was being driven by a tuned version of the S5's 4.2-liter V8 with 420 hp – instead of the standard 354"
Are you sure this isn't the motor out of the current RS4? It sure sounds like it. If thats the case it isn't just a "tuned version" of the S5's 4.2 V-8 it's rev's much higher (8250 rpm's) has cylinder-direct fuel injection, and 4 valves per cylinder, instead of 5 and it has two chain-driven double overhead camshafts (DOHC) per cylinder bank just to name a few differences.
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teve 1:04PM (8/25/2008)
If there will be an RS5 for sure this middle market transitional piece is completely unnecessary. The Audi customer is generally not going to feel a difference in their wallet between a hypothetical 65k S5 EVO vs. and a 75K RS5. A market that can use this type of halfway hero is the sport compact market, the evo ralliart and wrx make sense, because the person who can afford 25K may not always be able to afford a 35K dollar car. And with the Audi's this is not the case.
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nirad 11:55AM (8/25/2008)
Here's my guess on the evolution of the A5/S5 lineup: The new 3.0T will replace the 3.2 as the base A5 engine (in the US), the S5 will be bumped up to this 420hp version, with DSG and torque-vectoring differential. And the RS5 will get a further bored & stroked version of this engine (possibly 4.5L) , with 470+ hp, and significant weight savings (carbon brakes, lighter seats, aluminum body panels, etc...).
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MikeW 7:12PM (8/25/2008)
The A5/S5 will probably mimic the new A6.
The 3.1 (or is really 3.2 liter)? V6 will stick around with front wheel drive & Multitronic.
The 300hp 3.0 V6 will be the mainstream engine. Quattro standard. 6 speed automatic
The S5 4.2 V8 will get Audi Valvelift, with 375hp. Torque vectoring rear differential. 7 speed double clutch transmission.
The RS5 will be a 450hp V10. Front & rear torque vectoring differentials. 7 speed double clutch transmission.
Mark Simmons 12:33PM (8/25/2008)
The S5 isn't available with an S-Tronic gearbox. Audi made 7 demo's, then stated the S5 is more suited as a sedate cruiser so an auto box suits its character.
The fact they've previewed an S5 Evo V8 with the S-Tronic suggests to me that this will be the entry level S-Tronic equipped 5 Series, and that the RS5 will have a V10.
This 420-450? bhp S5 Evo S-Tronic would sit nicely between a 354 bhp S5 Auto and a 550+? bhp RS5.
By making the RS5 a V10, Audi can sell it at RS6 prices.
M.
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Dave Peterson 12:40PM (8/25/2008)
They should do it. Bump the standard S5 to 420 and introduce the RS5 with no limits and forced induction. Make that thing kick out 510bhp. Just make sure that the R8 V10 is out there with at least 550bhp to keep things in perspective. Do this Audi and I'll been in line with a deposit at my dealership!
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loser40 12:42PM (8/25/2008)
The S5 isn't available with an S-Tronic gearbox. Audi made 7 demo's, then stated the S5 is more suited as a sedate cruiser so an auto box suits its character.
The fact they've previewed an S5 Evo V8 with the S-Tronic suggests to me that this will be the entry level S-Tronic equipped 5 Series, and that the RS5 will have a V10.
This 420-450? bhp S5 Evo S-Tronic would sit nicely between a 354 bhp S5 Auto and a 550+? bhp RS5.
By making the RS5 a V10, Audi can sell it at RS6 prices.
This, IMO, will set the trend for a similar S4/S4 Evo both with V6's, and an RS4 with a V8.
M.
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El Paco 1:17PM (8/25/2008)
So as it says in the original InfoMotori article, the circuit is called Ricardo Tormo, and is located in Cheste, near Valencia.
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Wolf 2:03PM (8/25/2008)
Liking the EVO idea, it could be the "affordable" option while a V10 RS5 could be playing in the big league with Nissans's GTR and such.
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Masteraal 10:51PM (8/25/2008)
The RS5 is not going to have RS6 power ppl. it is a competitor of the M3 not the M5. The RS7 will be similar to RS6's power. The RS5 will either have the turbo RS4 or a NA v10 imo.
question is... if the S5 is 354 and evo is 420... What is the RS5 going to have!
My money goes on 480hp.
Long live Audi.
ps. i wouldnt be surprised if Audi make the evo as well...
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