In yet another blow to the high-revving naturally aspirated V8, Car and Driver is reporting that the next RS5 will lose its sonorous, quick spinning, 450 hp V8, in favour of a twin-turbo V6. While losing another V8 is always a sad day, the new engine will undoubtedly make more power at lower RPM, with more torque and better rated fuel economy as well. Expected to be a 3.0L V6 with twin-turbos and direct injection, it will be far more efficient than the old car. The engine will be shared with the next Porsche Panamera, so it should be a decent one.
North America will also be getting an eight-speed torque converter automatic instead of a dual-clutch gearbox. Audi says that most of us prefer the old style auto, so that's what we're going to get. You can also expect a 0-100 time of just over 4.0 seconds, a top speed that will be nearly double what it takes to get your car impounded, and lots of loud exhaust noise, aggressive looks, and knife sharp handling.
The next RS5 will come as a coupe and a convertible, the first of which should arrive sometime late next year. There are also rumours of a sportback five-door hatch, but with our continent being dominated by the hatchback-averse American market, it's not likely to grace our shores.
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