These convincing looking shots of the new 2010 Audi RS5 have leaked onto the internet a week ahead of the car's official unveiling at the 2010 Geneva motor show.
Audi RS5: the tech story
The brochure information we've seen doesn't yet spill the tech lowdown on the new RS5. But CAR understands the top-dog A5 will be powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 with around 450bhp and 332lb ft. That's supported by these scooped photos, revealing a high-revving redline around 8200rpm.
It looks like only an automatic S tronic transmission will be available at first, judging by these pictures. They also suggest that four different alloy wheels options will be offered.
A soft-top version of the Audi RS5 is expected in due course, although Ingolstadt is launching with the more focused, sportier coupé pictured. Prices are set to top £60,000 in the UK.
So where's this new Audi RS5 leak sprung from?
We were alerted to the Audi RS5 by Autoblog and Ausmotive.com (links below). The leak proves that CAR's original RS5 cover story scoop from October 2008 (final photo above) was remarkably accurate; Audi hotly denied the existence of plans for a go-faster A5, but we'll finally see the RS5 for real on 2 March 2010.
It's yet another example of official embargos being blown wide open, demonstrating the difficulty manufacturers face in keeping their publicity timetables in the leaky internet age. We'll have the first official news and pictures of the RS5 in the coming days ahead of Geneva.