New 2017 Audi RS5 spotted testing ~ station of gear

New hi-tech 480bhp Audi RS5 spied testing at the Nurburgring ahead of late 2017 release

2016-05-19 09:05

Hot on the heels of the Audi A6 due next year will be an all-new, sportier Audi RS5, based on the A4 and yet-to-be-revealed A5. Spy shots have shown a prototype undergoing testing at Germany’s Nurburgring. Look closely, and tell-tale RS design cues are evident, with oversized air intakes and bulging arches housing large alloy wheels.

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The model gets a sleeker design than the current car, with sharper headlights, a more muscular-looking bonnet and slimmer door mirrors. The quad exhaust pipes on this test mule are likely to be changed to the traditional RS oval design when the car arrives in showrooms, too.

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Both the rear screen and bootlid appear more upright than before, and we expect cabin upgrades such as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit instrument display and quality materials to be carried over from the S4.

As with the upcoming RS4, the RS5 will also get a newly developed 3.0-litre V6, which uses electric turbocharging tech to increase power from 444bhp to around 480bhp. The kit can boost muscle low down in the rev range in order to help eliminate turbo lag and, in turn, improve performance.

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The fresh MLB platform means the newcomer will be lighter than the current model, saving around 75kg. This, plus Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system, should enable a four-second 0-62mph sprint time. The new engine is likely to beat the old V8 model on economy and emissions, too.

Audi is gearing up to launch the A5 this year, so we expect to see the RS5 by the end of 2017. It should start at £60,000 – a little more than for the previous model. It should get more kit as standard, though.

What do you think of the new Audi RS5 spy shots? Let us know below...

Sam Naylor

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