Audi Could Bring A Badass Porsche-Derived RS Q5 To Geneva

But would this awesome crossover come to the US?

We know that Audi wants to double the amount of RS models from seven to 14. Part of this model increase has already come in the form of the RS3 sedan and TT RS. Now, Motoring has reported that it expects most of the new RS models to be SUVs, including an RS Q5. Audi recently announced the SQ5, which replaced the supercharged V6 with a 354 hp twin-turbo unit. The head of Audi's RS brand and former Lamborghini CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, said that there will be a new RS model at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in early March.

There is currently only one SUV model in the Audi lineup with an RS badge, the RS Q3. Unfortunately this model is not sold in the US. It is assumed that the new RS model will be a Q5 because Winkelmann said that “Geneva is in front of us, we’ll have a launch there which is going to be very important for us because it’ll set a new era of the B-segment [Q5 size] of Audi Sport for us. You will see very shortly what is going to happen.” It is uncertain which engine the RS Q5 will get. It could be a tuned version of the S5's twin-turbo V6 or even a Porsche-derived V6. Which ever engine is chosen, the RS Q5 would be quicker than the SQ5, which can hit 62 MPH in 5.4 seconds. The RS model could lower this time to under five seconds.

It is unlikely that the car will use the RS3's 2.5-liter five-cylinder because Winkelmann said “we want to stick to the A-segment” with that engine. After the RS Q5, the next RS model is predicted to be an RS Q2 which would be revealed at Frankfurt. SUVs will be a big part of the RS lineup in the future, so an RS Q7, RS Q4, and RS Q6 are all in contention. We are glad to see that Audi is making more RS models, but we would also like to see some more sedans, wagons and convertibles instead of just SUVs. We are interested to see the new RS Q5, because it could provide some insight into the new RS4 and RS5.

Audi Set To Reveal R8 With Porsche-Derived Twin-Turbo V6

Don't worry, Audi will still keep the lovely V10 model.

Ever since Audi released the all-new, second generation R8 in 2015, we've been wondering if there would be a base engine below the 5.2-liter V10. The original R8 was available with a 4.2-liter V8, but thanks to downsizing we knew that this engine would probably be excluded from the new car. A V6 version of the R8 has been rumored for a long time now, and Autocar has just spotted a test car which could be the new base R8. The R8 will borrow the 2.9-liter V6 that is shared with a few other cars from Audi and Porsche.

The twin-turbo V6 is the same engine found in the Porsche Panamera, Audi RS5 and RS4. This engine is also rumored for an upcoming RS Q5. The motor was codeveloped between Audi and Porsche and is known as the 'KoVoMo' engine. For Audi, this engine directly replaces the old 4.2-liter V8. The old RS4 and RS5 both used the old V8, and now use this new twin-turbo V6. In the RS4 and RS5, the V6 develops 450 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. This is the same amount of horsepower as the old V8, but the engine develops 125 more lb-ft of torque. In the new Panamera, this engine is tuned more for comfort and develops 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.

Audi will tweak the engine to develop more than 500 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque for the R8. The exact power figures have not been decided on as of yet, but Audi can confirm that more than one power output will be available. We expect the V6 R8 to be a great car, but it won't make the same amazing wail as the V10 engine. At least the V6 versions of the car will be a bit more affordable. The current base R8 starts at $162,900. This new V6 versions should be revealed some time this year, with an expected launch in 2018.

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