TMR reported last week that the Audi A5 Sportback has been rumoured to be making an appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Today it seems that one can be kicked into the ‘confirmed’ column.
Speaking to Audi AG shareholders at the company’s annual meeting, Chairman of the Board Rupert Stadler announced that not only will the A5 Sportback debut later this year, but that the upcoming RS5 will be available in both coupe and cabrio form.
The A5 Sportback will be launched later this year, and is expected to be powered by a range of engines that includes the company’s 157kW 2.0 litre TFSI, the new 213kW 3.0 litre V6, and a diesel V6 to round out the options.
While Stadler would not offer a date for the car’s reveal or launch, Audi’s Chairman of the Board was confident that the A5 Sportback will be viewed by consumers as the perfect option for those seeking a blend of functionality and style.
According to the UK’s car magazine, a senior source at Audi has confirmed that the upcoming 2010 Audi RS5 will be powered by the same 4.2 litre providing motivation for the hot-to-trot Audi RS4 and Audi R8 supercar.
The naturally-aspirated RS5 is expected to develop around 335kW, backed up by a goodly 450Nm of torque, with the 0-100km/h sprint likely to occur in around 4 to 5 seconds.
Stadler’s speech included talk of the 2010 Audi A8, which he said will set new standards for interior quality and style, and will be the sportiest model in the large luxury car segment. The new A8 will be launched in November, so images and details should be forthcoming in the next few months.
The highly anticipated 2010 Audi A1 minicar is also expected to hit showrooms in 2010, accompanied by a hybrid version of the company’s Q5 CUV and followed by the smaller Audi Q3 CUV in 2011.
Stadler also covered the introduction of Start-Stop technology to the Audi line, which TMR reported on yesterday.
Plenty of Audi news to look forward to in 2009 and 2010, and no doubt The Transporter will be as rapt to see the new A8 as we expect to be.
