Audi reveals plans for RS5 coupe/cabrio, A5 Sportback, new A8, A1 and hybrids
Audi Sportback Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
During yesterday's Audi AG investors meeting, Rupert Stadler, the automaker's chairman, confirmed what's been assumed for some time: the RS5 will be available in both coupe and cabrio forms, the A5 Sportback is due out later this year and the redesigned A8 will debut in late 2009. And there's more... after the jump.
Gallery: Audi Sportback Concept
[Sources: Audi, CAR]
On the RS5 front, the UK's CAR magazine has confirmed that the 4.2-liter V8 found in the RS4 and R8 will be fitted to the new high-po coupe, with output pegged at around 450 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque and delivering a 0-60 time in the mid-four-second range. A series of weight reduction measures will be employed in addition to the beefed-up brakes and suspension, and a topless variant will arrive soon after the RS5 hits dealers later this year.
The A5 Sportback, originally shown in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show, will be available sometime this year, likely packing the 211-hp, 2.0-liter TFSI, the company's new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 and a revised diesel V6 putting out around 240 hp and a boatload of torque. Stadler is convinced the A5 Sportback is a model that will be embraced by consumers looking for something that offers, "the ideal blend of functionality and aesthetics."
Stadler went on to say the next-generation A8 will be the sportiest model in its segment "and set new standards with regard to interiors." The 2010 A8 will debut sometime in November, so we expect Audi's flagship to appear at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Stadler also discussed the new A1 minicar, which will go on sale in 2010, along with a hybrid Q5 CUV and the smaller Q3 crossover arriving in 2011. Audi's detailed product outline also included an announcement that start-stop technology is in the works and will join kinetic energy recovery systems as early as late 2009. At first, the new tech will be fitted to the A3 1.4 TFSI and A4/A5 with the 2.0-liter four fitted with a manual transmission. Audi's goal is to reduce fuel consumption in its range by 20% by 2012, compared to 2007 levels, so it's expected that all of this new tech will filter through to the rest of the Audi line-up in the next three years.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Quattroporte 4:35PM (5/14/2009)
"...A8 will be the sportiest model in its segment ..."
Uh? Okay...whatever you say, Audi.
Reply
audi_arena 6:28PM (5/14/2009)
Whats wrong with that? You realize it's segment is agains the 7 series, S-class and lexus LS... right? Those guys aren't exactly setting the bar very high...
Clippy 9:36PM (5/14/2009)
Seeing that cars are getting heavier and heavier with each new generation, calling something such big a sporty car lost it's sense several years ago. Even if it's more agile than 7series or S-Class, using word sporty in conjunction with this heavy bunch of metal is stupid. But then again, that statement comes from concern that created abomination Bugatti Veyron, so hardly surprising.
nagmashot 4:20AM (5/15/2009)
The A8/S8 is since years the most diver oriented in it´s class... in terms of handling it declass Lexus, BMW and Mercedes by miles..
skant 4:39PM (5/14/2009)
wow that concept looks great...
"kinetic energy recovery systems" across the entire line would really be impressive.
Reply
Jei 9:42PM (5/14/2009)
Did Audi just "ape" the BMW 5-series SAV basic design concept?
nzo 1:30AM (5/15/2009)
oooooooooooooooooogly
Other Man 4:46PM (5/14/2009)
Looking forward to the '10 A8. It won't have an easy life after all, going up against the excellent new 7-Series, updated S-Class (that's also quite excellent), and the all new Jaguar XJ.
They better offer a larger V-6 this time. The 4.2L has almost enough sheer power, but it's light on torque compared to the others. Return of a W-8? I wish.
Reply
Quattroporte 4:49PM (5/14/2009)
"...going up against the excellent new 7-Series, updated S-Class (that's also quite excellent), and the all new Jaguar XJ."
I think you're forgetting another recently updated car that competes in this segment.
Other Man 4:53PM (5/14/2009)
The Quattroporte now starts at well over six figures and doesn't offer a LWB to compete with these. At best, it's a competitor to the Alpina B7, Audi S8, and Jag XJR.
Quattroporte 4:59PM (5/14/2009)
You thought I meant the Quattroporte? No, I was implying the Lexus LS.
Just kidding.
Other Man 5:11PM (5/14/2009)
Oh. Well I was only mentioning the newest, freshest, most competitive models. The LS is one of the best right now but that might well change for 2010 with the new Audi and Jag.
I would've also mentioned the Equus if I wanted to mention all of them.
Quattroporte 4:45PM (5/14/2009)
Wait a second, so the RS5's V8 will be a more powerful version of the V8 found in the R8. So, can one assume the R8 will inherit the revised engine?
Reply
Toy Yoda 6:09PM (5/14/2009)
yeah, why not? Actually, I think Audi's plans for the last evolution of the R8 will be a V10 twin turbo putting out 610hp. -- Assuming that the economy doesn't derail these plans.
The reason why I say this, is b/c I saw -quite by accident- a bootleg quality video of the R8 before it came out on -of all places- youtube, which spec'ed out a V10 biturbo with 610hp. They took the video off / I couldn't find it anymore, after Audi announced it was going to make the R8.
When they announced that the R8 was going to be a V8, I was disappointed. Then, a year later, they announced that it would be upgraded to a V10. My friend a car nut, also told me that car companies plan the entire evolution of a car like model refreshes, before the first gen car is released. Putting two facts together, that's when I realized that the video I saw may have been a leaked video meant for the big wigs at Audi.
Quattroporte 4:51PM (5/14/2009)
Go away, you mental case. NO SPAM!!!
Reply
Quattroporte 4:55PM (5/14/2009)
Wow, that was fast. Thank you, auotblog.
Quattroporte 4:57PM (5/14/2009)
*autoblog
I take back my "Thank you" due to not having an edit button. ☺
styleguy 5:15PM (5/14/2009)
Does this mean that the A5 Sportback is the new A7?
Reply
rsfourever 5:26PM (5/14/2009)
i'm not quite sure what the final story is going to be on this. i've heard that there will supposedly be both an A7 4-door coupe and an A5 4-door coupe (sportback), which would be slightly smaller. i don't really understand the point of the A5 sportback if you're going to have the A7 as well, but hey, Audi has been knocking everything they hit out of the ballpark, so i'm not going to criticise them until they are proven wrong...
catchmyshadow 5:34PM (5/14/2009)
both models will be available soon.
the A5 sportback (basis is the A4/A5) will come at the end of this year
the A7 (see gallery above, basis is the A6) will come out 2010.