2010 Audi RS5 May Kill Next-Generation RS4

We've seen the 2010 Audi RS5 running around in camouflage ahead of a Frankfurt unveiling, but the next-gen Audi RS4's been conspicuously absent in development. For good reason. It's probably not coming.

Speaking anonymously at a recent press event, an Audi official let us known the future of the B8 generation RS4 is facing a steep opposition. The Audi A5 and S5 models have been such strong sellers the decision was made to use that car as the sub-supercar entry and allow the A4 to top out with the newly available supercharged V6 S4. This move is also influenced by the Carpocalypse in that heavy-duty super saloons are falling out of favor and Audi is re-positioning as a more responsible luxury brand, downsizing engines and relying more heavily on forced induction and direct injection. While the possible loss of a four-door super-sedan is a bit sad, a monstrously capable coupe should make up for it.

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GermanNut - 8/28/2009 1:52:56 PM

+4 Boost

Agent009, I'm surprised you didn't steal this article of mine and incorrectly change the title.

I think the RS5 will be such a fantastic car that Audi won't even need the RS4. As good as the RS4 was, this upcoming RS5 will be AMAZING. The RS5 will not only be lighter (2-door coupe vs. 4-door sedan), but it will have 30 more horsepower (450 horsepower for RS5 vs. 420 for RS4), more torque, and Audi's Drive Select system as well as Sport Differential as standard (the previous RS4 had neither of these systems).

2 Words: M3 KILLER!

Agent009 - 8/28/2009 2:31:39 PM

+1 Boost

Many times we run across the same articles at about the same time and we may publish ours first. But typically I allow the poster to get credit, if I forget then I know I will be corrected. You guys are good at that.

mclaren428 - 8/28/2009 2:04:57 PM

+7 Boost

Ill take a BMW M3 over this anyday.

bmwdrvr - 8/28/2009 5:32:23 PM

+5 Boost

Im sure the RS5 will be the looker of the 2 though, judging my the RS6 reviews,l and the 335i vs S5 the M3 will be the better performance car overall..

Runamukk - 8/28/2009 3:55:04 PM

-3 Boost

I'd take the RS5 all day long over the M3.

rxh8me9000 - 8/28/2009 4:34:49 PM

+1 Boost

This is bull. The RS4 is a legend. Now people who want a RS model are stuck with a coupe. Dont do it!

investor27 - 8/28/2009 4:44:42 PM

-1 Boost

What makes the RS4 so great, and the fact that it had won so many accolades, is the fact that it is a 4-door sedan. A coupe RS5 instead of a sedan RS4 is just wrong in my view. They should, however, release them both.

LexSucks - 8/28/2009 5:59:24 PM

+4 Boost

I hope they do more than add 19" rims and a matte-black paint job (like the car pictured). Lately Audi has been doing very little visually to separate the "S" models from the much cheaper lower "S-line" models. I hope that he "RS" model doesn't follow suit.

BondMI6 - 8/29/2009 11:02:10 AM

+2 Boost

Doesn't surprise me, Audi tends to skip the RS models every other gen....
Case in point- we had both an RS6 and RS4 for the last generation but this generation has neither(at least over here that is).

GermanNut - 8/29/2009 1:48:55 PM

+1 Boost

Audi is focusing on building its brand and image in China and Europe. That is why we have not seen the current RS6 in the U.S. Also, given the United States' collapsing auto market, it does not make sense for Audi to sell a low-volume car in a crumbling market when Audi is already the market leader in China, the world's largest auto market by annual sales.

Audi should focus on continuing to grow its lead over BMW and Mercedes-Benz in China and by allocating more RS models to China, Audi is doing precisely that.

dayday - 8/30/2009 10:18:29 PM

+1 Boost

Audi's strong sale in China is based on its Cheap price compare to BMW and Merc, and an Political imagery. RS models will not sell in China just like M cars do not sell. People there rather spend the same amount of money buying A8 or 7 series/S class. No one would buy "A6/A4 supercar", IN CHINA.

GermanNut - 8/31/2009 3:07:07 PM

+1 Boost

No, Dayday, Audi's sales in China are not based on its cheap price. Audi's sales in China are based on its long-standing, successful relationship with China that has seen Audi not only build manufacturing facilities throughout China, but open more showrooms than its competitors (BMW and Mercedes-Benz) and offer customized vehicles built specifically for the Chinese market (A4L and A6L) which its competitors do not offer (BMW has no long-wheelbase 5-series and Mercedes-Benz has no long-wheelbase E-class).