Leftlane confirmed a future for the RS5 in the U.S. last July, and although the car has yet to even arrive stateside, Audi has already revealed a minor fresh of the car.
The Audi RS5 has hardly been on the market a year, but already the German automaker is busy tinkering with the finer details of the car, revealing a refreshed exterior in the form of a slew of digital images ahead of the official reveal set to take place during the Frankfurt Motor Show starting tomorrow.
Changes include smaller headlamps housings, new daytime running lights and a slightly restyled lower front fascia. At first glance, don’t be surprised if you don’t immediately spot the changes as they are subtle – but comparing the models side-by-side will make it a bit easier.
You may also notice that all images include what appears to be only one lower foglamp, located on the passenger side of the vehicle. Given the fact that the images are digital representations of the actual car, it is likely that this is simply an oversight that was not intended to be seen on a production model – or what appears to be a foglamp is actually a sensor for some type of radar-based system.
Of course, we won’t know for sure until we update the article with new live images from the Frankfurt show floor this week.
What we’ve known about the RS5
The 2012 Audi RS5 is sculpted with sport-appeal inside and out – from the ultra supportive race-style front seats to the spoiler and winglet-laden front fascia – this Audi means business. This hot coupe features a 450 horsepower 4.2-liter FSI V8 – capable of revving all the way to 8,250 with peak hp, and then on to a final redline of 8,500 rpms.
Audi says this V8 is also good for 317 lb-ft of torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. Power is distributed amongst all four wheels via a seven-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.
Aside from the incredible race-inspired seats, the rest of the interior remains mostly unchanged from the Audi A5 , aside from some carbon fiber treatment and appropriate RS5 badging. Audi does point out that upon request it can bestow upon the interior an exclusive treatment of inlays such as a dark, stainless-steel mesh look, a black piano finish or brushed aluminum. The seating surfaces can also be covered in special colors or materials upon request.
The RS5 also features new quattro technology: the crown-gear differential. This new differential is a self-locking center differential that Audi says is lightweight and maintains a high efficiency ratio. The front to rear power ratio can be shifted as extreme at 70 percent upfront, or 85 percent out back – depending on where the power is needed. Under normal conditions, the RS5 enjoys a 40:60 front to rear split.
To bring the RS5 to a stop are internally vented 14.37-inch discs standard, or 14.96-inch ceramic carbon-fiber thanks to the option sheet.
Out back, the RS5 features the large, oval dual exhaust tips that have become a staple on the RS line. The exhaust tips are surrounded by a highly stylized lower rear fascia, complete with aerodynamic channels for added stability at high speeds. Above the lower fascia, Audi worked in an automated rear spoiler that appears as the coupe reaches appropriate speeds, and then retracts back into the decklid at lower speeds.
Audi says additional details and pricing will be released at a later date.
