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Audi RS5 to Use a 4.2l V8

Last week, we brought you the first spyshots of the future Audi RS5, as it was undergoing testing at the Nurburgring track in Germany. With the photos came the news that the new Rennsport will use either a 5.2l V10, the likes of the one found on the Audi RS6 Avant, or a 4.2l V8, the engine used on the Audi RS4.

The sad news is that the German manufacturer seems to have opted for the smaller engine, the 4.2l. As we told you, this V8 unit develops 450 horsepower and will be mated to either a seven speed DSG automatic or a six speed manual transmissions, automobile-magazine.fr reported.

The RS5 is built on a sports chassis and will use Audi's Quattro all wheel drive system. The chassis will most surely embody the manufacturer's new building philosophy of making the structure of their vehicles lighter than the previous generations.

Following those new guidelines, the next S5 line will weigh around 1,200 kg for the Audi S5 coupe and 1,360 kg for the S5 cabrio. This is the reason why Audi is not afraid of using a smaller displacement engine for its new RS5. Even if the 4.2l is far less powerful the 5.2l V10, overall performances are hoped to be at around the same levels.

As for release date and targeted market, nothing is sure so far. But until the RS5 gets here, fans will have to make do with the Audi A5 and S5, both of which will make their US debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show. The Europeans already saw the two at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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