Downsizing engines and adding forced induction is the new wave in fuel economy engineering as companies strive to maintain performance levels and the latest reports indicate Audi is leaping into the ring with both feet, lopping two cylinders from its mighty RS4 sedan and replacing them with a supercharger. Enthusiasts may lament the loss of the extra pots, but purists will relish the return to six-cylinder forced induction.
The next-generation RS4 will reportedly feature a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6--the same basic unit found in the somewhat tamer S4, though it will no doubt be in higher tune in its RS application. The outgoing generation RS4 is powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 rated at 414 horsepower. Power figures for the new engine aren't yet known, but the new supercharged V-6 is expected to be thoroughly sporty.
Adding the requisite power bump in the next-generation RS4 model would place output on par with the V-8 model, and thanks to the supercharged induction, a very wide torque band would be available from an even lower RPM--all ingredients for very strong performance.
The original Audi RS4 featured a forced-induction V-6, though it was a twin-turbo unit generating 261 horsepower from its 2.6L displacement. Efficiency ratings of forced induction technologies have advanced somewhat since the first twin-turbo RS4 was built in late 1999 and the addition of twin-turbos or any dual-charging system to the current RS4 has been dismissed as prohibitively complex and expensive for the gains over a single supercharger design.
Whether Audi will actually follow through with the return to a forced-induction six-cylinder or not remains to be seen, but with impending fuel and emissions standards tightening around the world, even the high-performance luxury carmakers will have to change to keep fleet averages in line. No word yet on a release date but in the meantime, check out our latest computer-generated rendering which gives us an early look at the aggressive lines Audi’s designers have planned for the new RS4.
2010 Audi S5 will be staffed by the same number of engines that have already previous model, with the exception of 354-strong engine.
The official world debut of new Audi S5 Cabrio will be held at a nearby American car in Los Angeles or Detroit. Production in Ingolstadt will start in the second half of 2009.
When the pill bug on four wheels known as the Audi TT entered its second generation for 2008, buyers interested in the 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder had to settle for front-wheel drive only. In a comparison test of $35K sport coupes that year, the second-gen TT finished in second place behind a Mazda RX-8 and ahead of a Nissan 350Z and a Ford Mustang Shelby GT. Our gripes were few, but we did place some of the blame on the TT’s nose-heavy dynamics, front tires that have to fight for grip, and its relatively high price. Despite its aluminum-intensive structure (Audi claims the lightweight alloy makes up nearly 70 percent of the car), we callously called it a Volkswagen GTI wrapped in a sexy skin.
Until 2009, getting Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system in the new TT required stepping up to the pricier (by roughly $5000), and heavier, 250-hp 3.2-liter V-6. According to our testing, a six-speed manual TT 3.2 Quattro hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, which is a tenth slower than the 2.0T front-driver fitted with the S tronic dual-clutch automated manual. Quarter-mile times were nearly the same, with the six-cylinder squeezing out a 14.5-second run at 97 mph versus the four-cylinder’s 14.6 at 97. We enjoyed the exhaust note of the narrow-angle V-6 and its smooth characteristics, but its price premium, especially considering the identical performance numbers, was difficult to justify. What we really wanted was a TT with all-wheel drive and the fuel efficient 2.0-liter turbo-four.
Audi today announced that the U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the highly anticipated 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro V10 sports car will start at $146,000, with shipments to authorized Audi R8 dealerships across the country beginning this week.
Audi said the MSRP for the 2010 Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro will start at $114,200, unchanged from the base prices for 2009 models:
R8 5.2 FSI quattro coupe (manual) $146,000 R8 5.2 FSI quattro coupe (R tronic) $155,100
2010 R8 4.2 FSI® quattro® (V8) pricing (excluding $1,200 destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges): R8 4.2 FSI quattro coupe (manual) $114,200 R8 4.2 FSI quattro coupe (R tronic) $123,300
The addition of the R8 V10 adds new levels of power to a sports car already renowned for delivering premium comfort uncommon in its class without performance compromises. The 10-cylinder 525 hp engine is the same power plant found in the R8 LMS GT3 racecar and is capable of delivering breathtaking performance. The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro delivers 391 lb-ft of torque and achieves a 0-60 mph time of just 3.7 seconds.
Anticipation has been building for the U.S. introduction of the R8 V10. Today, the first two 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro models available in the U.S. were delivered to the two winning bidders from the 2009 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance charity auction held in February to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Fla. The two winning bids raised a combined $850,000 for the charity, with the top bidder paying a record $500,000 for the new 2010 R8 V10, the highest amount ever paid for a new Audi vehicle in the U.S.
Since its U.S. launch in September 2007, demand has remained strong for the V8-powered R8 4.2 FSI quattro featuring 420 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The hand-assembled R8 V10, developed by the Audi high-performance division, quattro GmbH, receives unique exterior features as standard equipment. Chief among these: innovative full-LED headlights, a world’s first. The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro also receives new 19-inch Y-design forged aluminum alloy wheels with summer performance tires, sideblades with larger air intakes, front grille with chrome-optic accents, unique rocker panel shaping, dual oval rear exhaust tips, “V10” front fender badges and instrument cluster labeling, unique front and rear sections along with a larger rear diffuser all finished in high-gloss black.
Other R8 5.2 FSI quattro standard equipment highlights include rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive, Audi magnetic ride, Audi Navigation plus with 3D graphics and real time traffic, 465-watt Bang & Olufsen Sound System®, 6-disc CD changer, Bluetooth® telephone preparation, SIRIUS satellite radio®, Audi parking system plus with rearview camera and 10-way power heated sport seats. Sepang Blue pearl effect will be offered as an optional R8 V10 exclusive exterior color.
“The R8 is a proven worldwide success story for Audi,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “The positive effects of the vehicle on dealers, customers, and Audi fans alike have exceeded all expectations. The addition of the V10-powered R8 5.2 FSI quattro adds further equity into the already sought-after R8 nameplate and the Audi brand.”
The R8 is one of four Audi models currently built with the revolutionary ASF® chassis, a technology that Audi has mastered in more than a decade of experience. ASF is customized by model, including its application with the A8 and TT Coupe and Roadster models. The framework of an ASF body consists of extruded aluminum sections and pressure castings. The aluminum chassis and sheet metal are just as strong as steel, but lighter to boost performance and efficiency. This frame carries the sheet aluminum elements, for example the roof panel, which are rigidly connected to it and help to withstand loads on the body. The elements of ASF are varied in shape and cross-section, depending on the tasks they have to perform. Like the bones of a human skeleton, they combine optimal function with low weight. The ASF application on the Audi R8 offers extremely high torsional rigidity, light weight and high strength for optimal performance characteristics.
All R8 models are produced in Neckarsulm, Baden Württemberg, Germany along with the aluminum A8 model. Audi is continuing to shape the future in lightweight design and elsewhere too. Inaugurated in 1994, the Aluminum and Lightweight Design Center in Neckarsulm, Germany employs more than 120 specialists to work on new joining techniques, body structures, materials and construction techniques. They also look into the use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength grades of steel. In the area of fiber composites, Audi also acts as an innovative pioneer and trend-setter by leveraging its significant racetrack experience and success to test advanced component concepts under extreme conditions prior to implementation on its road vehicles.
Audi expects to release 2010 pricing and model year changes for the remainder of its lineup within the next few weeks.
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