Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Luxury

The on-again/off-again rumors about whether or not Americans will get to sample the hotter-than-hot Audi RS5 Coupe end now - the automaker has officially stated that the coupe will hit the States sometime in 2012. Yes, that’s a bit later than what had originally been speculated, but we’re still stoked that Audi has decided to include us on the RS5 goodness. No mechanical changes will be made to the coupe before it launches in the U.S., so the high-revving 450-horsepower V8 will still be intact. Awesome.

But in the meantime, we have lots of other Audi hotness hitting the streets, including the sexy R8 Spyder, which goes on sale next month. Audi has officially priced the topless R8 from $161,000 (not including the $1,250 destination charge) for six-speed manual models. If you want the six-speed R-tronic manu-matic (and you don’t), be prepared to shell out an additional … wait for it … $9,000. Just stick with the manual - trust us on this one.

The full details are available in Audi’s press release after the jump, and be sure to scroll through the galleries below to gaze upon the RS5 and R8 Spyder in all their glory.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000*

Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2025 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi

We all like a good car video. Whether it’s a high-dollar commercial worked up just for the Super Bowl or one of Will Roegge’s pieces of cinematic glory, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t mind watching a slick piece of sheetmetal get sideways. But it’s easy to underestimate the amount of work that can go into even the shortest pieces of footage. Take, for instance, this latest spot worked up by the crew at WebRidesTV for the Audi R8 5.2 FSI. The guys shot from dawn till dusk, hired none other than Nathan Swartzbaugh of ALMS fame to pilot the mid-engined terror and even rolled out a slick camera car just for the action - all 30 seconds of it.

Now, if you’re like us, you’re probably wondering where the “Gymkhana” part comes from in the title. We honestly have no idea. As far as we can tell, there’s no sort of predetermined course, active timing or even meandering Segways - just Swartzbaugh getting sideways in a car that’s worth more than all of our worldly possessions. Still, not a bad way to blow five minutes of your day. Hit the jump to see the action.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: YouTube via WebRidesTV]

Continue reading Video: Audi R8 V10 reminds us what else an airstrip is good for

Video: Audi R8 V10 reminds us what else an airstrip is good for originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2025 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Audi

After running around the rumormill for several months, Audi has finally confirmed it will offer a 4.2-liter V8 powered version of the R8 Spyder, in addition to the V10 model. Thankfully, the R8 Spyder 4.2 is available with a six-speed manual in addition to the R-Tronic semi-automatic gearbox.

Like other R8s - with the exception of including the recently announced GT - the 4.2 Spyder is packing standard Quattro all-wheel drive and the top mechanism remains the same fully-powered fabric unit found in the V10 model. Those who opt for the lesser engine will have to make do with conventional dampers and 18-inch wheels, although the magnetic ride dampers and 19-inch rolling stock that are standard on the V10 are available at a “slight” increase in cost. The eight-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers remain standard issue with the optional carbon ceramic rotors and pads still available as an option in Europe. Since Audi has not issued any new images of the Spyder 4.2 yet, there are probably no visual differences aside from the wheels and badging.

The V8 Spyder goes on sale in Europe in the third quarter, but no announcement has been made about U.S. availability… yet.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Officially Official: Audi announces 4.2 V8-powered R8 Spyder

Officially Official: Audi announces 4.2 V8-powered R8 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2025 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Quick Spin, Racing

There is only one Audi TT RS in the entire United States right now. And here we are, hurling the black coupe down the front straight at Willow Springs Raceway at 132 mph. We’ve been invited out to the sunny California desert on a pristine day to flog the hottest-ever Audi TT back-to-back against its TTS sibling, along with a few stints in the all-new S4 and R8 V10 for good measure.

The TT RS isn’t simply another upgraded model in the automaker’s diversified lineup. The TTS (and the other standard performance models) come from the Audi AG Sport division, while the TT RS was incubated and hatched by Quattro GmbH - the team who brought us the nefarious R8, RS4 and RS6. And while we’ve seen the TT on our shores with four- and six-cylinder powerplants, the new five-cylinder engine marks a significant departure for the front-engine coupe and convertible (even as it pays homage to the original 1980s-era Audi Sport Quattro).

So what makes the TT RS special and how does it fit into the current TT lineup? More importantly, how does the enthusiast-tuned package work under demanding track conditions? We intend to find out while answering a very important question for Audi: Should it bring the TT RS to the States?

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2010 Audi TT RS performs, assuming Audi AG decides to deliver

Quick Spin: 2010 Audi TT RS performs, assuming Audi AG decides to deliver originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2026 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Audi

Nobody knows Audis like Mattias Ekstr

We already know that Audi plans to fit the standard R8′s 420-hp, 4.2-liter V8 into its all-new Spyder variant early next year, and now comes word that at least one more version of the R8 is in the pipeline and that the R tronic sequential automatic might not be long for this world.

According to company insiders speaking with Car and Driver, the herky-jerky gearbox will likely be dispatched in favor of Audi’s new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s no word on the amount of torque the DCT can handle, but considering how much better the R8 V10 performed with the standard sequential tranny, we’d suspect that the dual-clutch setup will make its way onto the V8 models only. And if you’re worried about the gated six-speed manual being nixed from the options list, don’t be - it will continue to be available on all models.

C&D also reports that a sportier version of the R8, inspired by the LMS model, could be in the cards, packing more power (think: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera) and a not-so-insignificant weight reduction thanks to the liberal use of carbon fiber.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro, top model of the R8 family, delivers breathtaking performance.