Since I took the time to consider the following, I thought I'd share it to see what everyone else thought and to get some input. My B7 S4 might end up getting sold this week and I've got another year to enjoy my 3.2 MkII TT..so, I've got plenty of time to think....

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You've got the following to base it on:

B8 S5... which is sweet in itself..so there's your minimum starting point w/ ADS (audi drive select), etc

B7 RS4... minimum 420hp V8 FSI (of some kind), integrated rear spoiler, DRC

C6 RS6... again, similiar integrated spoiler to the RS4, blistered fenders..new grille with no plate divider, duel turbos (maybe)

B8 S4... sport diff; 7 speed DSG (I'd still prefer manual though)

Q5... yes, I mentioned an SUV...because it has the sweet new 3g MMI

R8 V10.. I see carbon fiber mirrors, front clip spoiler, and rear diffusior being an RS5 option at least.

MkII TT-RS.. front bumper, rear valance, new magnetic ride


..So, you add all those up and there is no way this car is going to disappoint because Audi doesn't need to pull everything from all of these cars, but you can see the progression over of most of the details above onto the next model to come out.. so I don't think I'm simply just wishing on bs or something. I believe the only thing really left up for even talk would be the engine and I believe the consenses is at a minimum of the:

..RS4's high-rev 4.2 V8 tweaking out a little more hp...
..an all new 4.0 V8 seems logical and yet too perfect at the same time...
..or one of the two with DUAL turbos...
...a SC V6 or an NA V10 are both out of the question

The RS4's engine is proven, but I think if the RS5 ends up being all that most people think it will be, then even though it's great, I think people will have that point to argue over... the new 4.0 with DUAL turbos would make this car PERFECT! Since Audi is going back to the way of forced induction (in the S4, S5, A6, RS6, TT-S, TT-RS).. I would be shocked if they went any other way on the RS5.

Finally, figure a price above the out going RS4 ($67k base), below the S6 ($76k base), and competing with what will be a two year old M3... So my bet would be on a price tag of $71k base and $80k (give or take a couple grand)...LOADED (RS4 and M3 are both $75k loaded now).

Come on..who enjoyed my logic? anyone? hahaha
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i have heard nothing about the RS5 from anyone who mention the "Herndon" talks...wasn't at the Detroit Auto show....could the RS5 possibly be falling victim to the economic times?

simply a thought here... as i want to see it arrive as well......

"Anyone" have any updates??????

 

I trust George's sources... I think the new M3 fell due to the high gas prices and then the dying economy... I think since they'll officially announce the TT-RS next week, and most sources anticipate a spring 2010 release here in the states... If they show the RS5 at Frankfurt, I think we could see it released in the late summer/fall of 2010 as a 2011 model.. Now, what would make it the dream of dreams is if it corresponds with the A5/S5 face lift (I believe 2011 is the year it's likely to be)... and if the RS5 gets the newer treatment, it won't just be the super performance / of the outgoing model.... but all new new new.. That'd keep the model looking fresh for a few years, which would certainly help resale down the road.

 

Not sure if the facelift would constitute a new iteration.....

??

 

was 3 years into the model...with a life cycle of another 3. The RS6 was given the facelift the A6 just got....

But yes, they usually appear into the product cycle, but the cars also usually get a some sort of facelift as well... What I'm saying whether it be updates like the newest MMI, or a change to LED tail lights, or something like that... it would suck to have the top end of the model without some things the low end of the model just got... So it would help keep it fresher that much longer.

 

...on a car that may or may not be made right now--and if it is made, it may or may not come to the US--and if it does come to the US, it may not come to the states until 2011 or 2012, at best? And today is Feb 24, 2009? And you loaned this money, interest free, in April of 2008?

Oh, okay. I see.

 

OK, it was $200...if the payments on my S4 and TT aren't killing me and I'm prepared for the cost of the RS5... the $200 to legally guarentee me first right of refusal for the car I'm pretty sure I've been waiting my entire life for, is well worth it. It's not like it was a grand or more and it wasn't just a deposit to get one.... it was a deposit to guarentee the absolute first one they can get me and if allocation for the S5, R8, and TTS are any indition..it'll be one of the first in the states.

See I know a couple guys... ones got a 360 drop, R8, S6, and S5.. and has deposit down on an RS5 and R8 V10, not to mention 20-30 years of buying p-cars and audi's and bmw's from the same dealer... Then there's another guy with a DB9, 997 turbo, RS4 cab, M6, Lambo merc drop... all from the same dealer again..and again has a deposit down on the RS5 and the R8 V10... Both are muchhhh older than me, have muchhhh more money than me, and have bought manyyyy more cars from this dealer than I have. But when I get my RS5, they'll be both be checking mine out in the parking lot... whether it's the Summer or Fall of 2010... of the Spring of 2011.. I don't care.

With that said, they gave me about 7 grand off the 3.2 TT I had ordered when I picked it up in August... so whether they just like me, or my intention to keep buying new audi's from them puts them in the giving mood... I think the $200 to legally keep my spot even if the sales manager moves on before he gets allocation, is security for me and well worth it.. Please figure out my compound interest on $200 over two years to justify this for me...

 

(GB publication) I am not really familiar with the magazine so I can't say how accurate they are.

 

Explain how the $200.00 legally binds here...did you and they both sign something that states this?

 

I have a document on the dealers letterhead which states the deposit guarentees me their first RS5 allocation and at no more than sticker (so some new sales manager can't say "ok you can have it but at a premium")... It was signed by the owner and sales manager.. It also states the deposit of $200 AS the binding agreement.

...I could probably have taken the sales managers word because he's a good guy and has helped me out for the last four years... but chances are even though he's been around for a long time, something could happen and he could be gone and I end up not getting that call when allocation comes up and some guy off the street that day ends up with it.