The A1 was such an overwhelming presence at Geneva that it was easy to overlook Audi's other major debutant, the RS5. Nevertheless, we're looking forward to the car at least as much as the premium hatchback, not least because it is the spiritual successor to the excellent RS4.
Following the RS5's official unveiling at Geneva, Audi has released this video showing the car on the road. There were murmurs at the show that the new RS does not look significantly different from the S5 and should perhaps have been given more visual charisma, but that isn't what you notice watching the video. It's the sonorous, oily note of the V8 engine which immediately fills you with a sense of longing.
Otherwise the RS5 looks as poised as you'd expect. Make your own mind up about the styling, but from first hand experience we can say that the interior is another Ingolstadt masterpiece of fit and finish. Part way through the video, Audi throws in a Quattro to underline the RS5's heritage; if the current car attains even a quarter of that car's legendary status it will have done very well indeed.
Sales of premium cars in Britain are recovering despite the economic
uncertainty and impending end of scrappage incentives for consumers,
according to Pendragon, Britain's largest car dealership group.
It's not every day that you emerge from the office clutching the keys to a bona fide supercar, so when the opportunity arises you savour every moment.
Few cars look good in every situation, but the Audi R8 doesn't disappoint even under the murky light of Autoblog's underground car park. The car had already passed through several other hands and was mired in London's wintery grime, but the the visual impact of R8 cannot be obscured by dirt, and there's no hiding the V10 badge on its flank.
If there's a perfect time to fire up that 518bhp 5.2-litre ten-cylinder engine, it's when you're cocooned in the concrete bowels of a basement car park. The R8 barks into life with the kind of harsh metallic rhythm that you feel through the base of your spine.
Following the leak of the official brochure, Audi has released the full details of its new RS5.
As expected, the car will get a 444bhp version of Ingolstadt's acclaimed 4.2-litre V8 engine, capable of propelling the RS5 to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, but Audi will increase this to 174mph on request.
The German manufacturer also revealed that the RS5 will get the next generation of all-wheel drive Quattro technology. A new centre differential will be capable of directing up to 70 per cent of the available torque to the front wheels, or as much as 85 per cent to the rear.
Pictures of the new Audi RS5 have leaked onto the internet ahead of the car's debut at Geneva.
The images were taken from the car's official brochure, and show that, as expected, the RS5 will share many of the visual traits that define Audi's high performance model range, and also feature a retractable rear spoiler.
The interior shots confirm the new car will be the first RS to feature Audi's seven speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission.
