Future Audi Models

Audi A7

Audi will be actively filling out its product portfolio in the next several years and one of the cars expected to join the mix is a low-profile four-door similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The 2009 Audi A7 will be a sleek sedan that will likely mimic the CLS formula by adding a new low-profile body onto an existing A6 chassis. The result will be a sportier, more upscale sedan with a coupe profile. Expect to see the A7 debut sometime in 2009.
Audi Q5

The 2009 Audi Q5 joins a growing list of premium, five-passenger crossovers. Design cues reflect a strong influence from the larger Q7, albeit in a more compact package. The Q5 is 2 inches longer than a BMW X3 and 4 inches shorter than a Lexus RX 350. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires will be standard in the U.S., with options up to 20 inches. Inside, the Q5 has two rows of seats, with an optional "rear bench seat plus" that slides nearly 4 inches fore and aft to provide easier entry and exit, as well as access to the roomy rear cargo bay. Available features include DVD navigation, rearview camera, adaptive lighting, intelligent key, three-zone automatic climate control, iPod interface and Bang & Olufsen audio system. Only one powertrain combination will be offered in the States: a 3.2-liter V6 direct-injection gasoline engine with six-speed Tiptronic gearbox and all-wheel drive.

Audi R8-RS

Although Audi hasn't made an official announcement yet, a prototype spotted on the Nurburgring points to the development of an even hotter version of its R8 sportscar, possibly called the 2009 Audi R8-RS. Larger side air intakes were one tip off to the test car's nontraditional setup while revised rocker panels were another. We're not sure if it will come badged as R8-RS, or simply RS8, but it appears as though there's a good possibility this range topping two-door will get a version of the 5.2-liter V10 currently found in the S6 and S8 sedans. Expect around 500 horsepower from the V10 which will separate it from its sedan siblings without infringing on Lamborghini Gallardo territory. Expect to see this version of Audi's super coupe arrive sometime in 2008.


Audi RS5

When the 2008 Audi S5 showed up at the 2007 Geneva auto show powered by a 4.2-liter V8, it made the prospects for an RS5 all but assured. You see, there's a V10 lurking in the Audi parts bin and we have little doubt it will find its way into this new coupe. The rev happy engine only makes 435 horsepower in the S6 sedan, but we're pretty sure Audi can crank it up a little to give the RS5 some additional room between it and the 350hp S5. Expect to see this super coupe debut sometime in 2008.



Audi RS6

You would think the 435-horsepower Audi S6 would be enough to satisfy most Audi enthusiasts, but of course there are always a few rich guys who want more. They'll get more with the introduction of the 2008 Audi RS6. At first glance the RS6 doesn't look much different than the standard S6, which doesn't look that much different from an A6 for that matter. There are visible differences on the test mules in our spy photos, however, and most of them point to an RS-spec car. The overall shape of the front end is essentially unchanged, but the lower edge of the front airdam is a little more robust than that of the S6 and the air intakes no longer feature a strip of LED lights across the top. Double-spoke wheels similar to those used for the current Audi RS 4 are another tip-off to this prototype's enhanced specification sheet. Out back, this Audi also features a pair of oval exhaust tips -- another design element exclusive to Audi's ultrahigh-performance RS models. So if this is the upcoming Audi RS 6, what should you expect under the hood? Given there's already a 5.2-liter V10 in the S6, an increase in displacement isn't likely. Our best guess at this point is a turbocharged setup that will add between 50 and 100 horsepower. This will put the RS 6 firmly in super-sedan territory alongside the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. Look for the debut of the high-powered Audi RS6 at the Frankfurt auto show in September. Sales in the U.S. could start as early as the end of this year.



Audi TT-RS
Following about a year after the release of the upgraded 2008 Audi TT-S, the 2009 Audi TT-RS will be the top of the line model in the lineup. Currently undergoing development at Audi's Ingolstadt headquarters in Southern Germany, the TT-RS will be Audi's answer to rival go-fast coupes such as the BMW Z4 M coupe and Porsche Cayman S. Rather than the 3.6-liter V6 engine as widely rumored, Inside Line can confirm the range-topping TT is set to become the first Audi model to receive a new turbocharged version of parent company Volkswagen's long running 2.5-liter five-cylinder as found in North American versions of the Jetta. Updated to accept the same cylinder head configuration as the 5.2-liter V10 used in the S8 along with the latest direct-injection technology from German specialist Bosch, the new Audi engine is said to deliver in the region of 365 hp. That's some 22 hp more than the Z4 M Coupe. As with the TT-S, the TT-RS will place its power to the ground via either a standard six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed version of Audi's S-Tronic double-clutch gearbox, with a Haldex-style four-wheel-drive system, which uses a multi-plate clutch instead of Audi's more traditional Torsen-based arrangement, apportioning drive to all four wheels




Audi TTS

Positioned as the top model in the TT lineup, the 2009 Audi TTS will go on sale in November in either coupe or convertible form. Its 272 hp comes courtesy of a high-boost version of the company's familiar turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-liter inline-4 engine. The little mill also pumps out 258 pound-feet of torque between 2,500 rpm and 5,000 rpm. According to Audi, this 2.0-liter features a revised engine block, cylinder heads, pistons and connecting rods. Although European customers will have a choice of a manual or dual-clutch transmission, all U.S. models will use Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Audi reckons the U.S.-spec coupe will reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds. Not a bad figure for a roughly 3,100-pound car with standard all-wheel drive. Magnetic ride-control dampers are also standard for the TTS. Just like similar items seen on the Audi R8, Chevy Corvette and Ferrari 599, they can be set in either standard or sport mode. The latter not only stiffens up the damping rates, it lowers the body by nearly a half inch. With its standard 18-inch wheels and 245/40R18 tires with stiff sidewalls, the comfort setting is likely to get the most use. Upgraded brakes are also part of the package, and the setup includes larger rotors, sport-type brake pads and zippy black calipers. Bringing it in line with other recently introduced Audi sporty cars, the TTS gets a string of LED daytime running lights under its main lights. The TTS's kit of body pieces and the satin-aluminum finish to the outside mirrors are also familiar from other S models.