Rendered Speculation: Audi RS5 Shooting Brake

Posted on 14 May, 2010

We just spent the last few days bouncing around Germany driving the 2011 Audi TT and the powertrain-enhanced Q7 (review next week), and between bouts on the autobahn and a few factory tours, we pestered our hosts about some of their Euro-only products and what we can expect in the future.

We dropped a few not-so-subtle hints in an attempt to score some seat time in the RS6 (denied) and the TT RS (achieved, and yes, it’s awesome), but the RS5 was something we were aching to drive. Unfortunately, we were short on time and didn’t get a crack at the 450-hp coupe, but on more than one occasion we mentioned that a shooting brake version would be the bee’s knees. As you’d expect, that’s probably not gonna happen, but the rendering wizard Theophilus Chin has answered our prayers in digital form.

Chin, who mocked up the three-door for a Photoshop contest, took some inspiration from past Audi coupes – including the GT – to create a two-door fastback version of the RS5 that’s loaded with win. The sloping roofline matches perfectly to the RS5’s widened haunches, and while the roof rails wouldn’t have been our first choice, we dig how they tie into the brushed aluminum front splitter, rear diffuser, side mirrors and five-spoke wheels. Too bad it probably won’t happen, but there’s a good chance those of us in the States will get a crack at the standard two-door RS5 in 2012.