Spied: 2013 Audi RS5 Cabriolet


We’re more than excited about Audi’s decision to bring back the RS line in the United States. The RS renaissance began with the just-released TT-RS; next up is the RS5. We had an opportunity to check out the RS5 coupe at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, but our spy photographer just snapped a cabrio variant getting ready to burn some brakes and rubber at the Nurburgring race track in Germany.

There’s nothing groundbreaking to report here since — like the A5 and S5 — the difference between the coupe and the cabrio are mostly from the beltline up. From the rear, this particular tester is sporting S5 duds from the rear bumper down to the S5 badge. The RS5 will have a more aggressive looking rear diffuser and wider fenders to accommodate large, 20-inch wheels (19s in the S5). Up front the tester is showing of a mix of S5 (badge and grille) and RS5 (lower front fascia and large brakes).

But what counts is under the hood, and as we previously reported from Frankfurt, the RS5 will be powered by a 4.2-liter V-8-engine rated at 450 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The mill will send power to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro system and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Pricing and release date haven’t been released for either the coupe and cabrio.


Thanks to: Motor Trend