Official News: Audi Applies Trademarks for New RS5 Cabriolet

While Audi never officially talked about the possibility of presenting a convertible version of its RS5 sports car, the idea has been circulating around the internet ever since the debut of the coupe.

But now we have concrete evidence that Audi will most likely go ahead and very soon introduce an RS5 Cabriolet to its lineup thanks to these official trademark fillings obtained by Carscoop.

The images provide us with a 360-degree view of the roofless RS5 (in facelift form, as you may have noticed) that will feature seating for four and the same electrically operated fabric top as the A5 and S5 convertibles, the refreshed versions of which made their world premiere in Frankfurt last week.

There are no prizes for anyone guessing what's hiding under the bonnet as the BMW M3 Convertible-rivaling model will get the same 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 with 450-horses and 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft), matched to Audi's seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system, as the RS5 Coupe.

We'll update the story on the RS5 Cabriolet as soon as we find out more.

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Auto Mobile Fusion Shots: Boosted Up Audi Q3 S/RS with 2.5-liter Turbo Enters The Arena

Fast Cars

A new flagship version of the Audi Q3 series is starting to take shape as the German company has begun testing prototype models of what may end up carrying the 'S', 'RS' or even perhaps a different moniker altogether on the famous Nürburgring racetrack.

We first received concrete proof that Audi is contemplating the development of a high-performance version of its Q3 compact crossover during a press event in Switzerland when the Ingolstadt-based automaker gave journalists the opportunity to drive a test model equipped with the force-fed five-pot found in the TT RS and RS3 models.

And while the prototype shown in these pictures looks like a normal Q3 fitted with an S-Line aero package, the huge drilled brakes as well as the fact that our spies told us that they could clearly hear the five-cylinder engine "screaming during testing", leave few doubts that this is the ultimate Q3.

It is believed that the hotted up Q3 will use a slightly de-tuned version of the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing around 300-horses instead of 340HP, with all those ponies channeled to all-four wheels through Audi’s quattro system and a 7-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission.

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Countdown Has Begun Coz 2013 Audi A6 Allroad Quattro is on its Way

Audi A6 Allroad

While we have already brought you a single grainy picture of a completely undisguised 2013 Audi A6 Allroad Quattro prototype that was caught completely off guard on the road, our spy photographers just dropped these latest pictures of a test car in our mailbox.

The mild off-road version of the new A6 Avant, which will once again carry the Allroad Quattro moniker, was covered up in the usual swirly camouflage seen on other Audi prototypes.

However, it is evident that the test car has a visibly higher ground clearance along with the typical chunky plastic cladding to protect the bodywork and tall roof rails similar to the previous Allroad models.

Don't expect any surprises under the hood with the A6 Allroad Quattro making use of the same diesel and gasoline powertrains found in the new Avant combined with the Ingolstadt-based firm's transmission options and all-wheel drive system.

The new A6 Allroad Quattro should make its appearance at one of the upcoming international motor shows and reach dealers sometime in the second half of 2012.

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New Audi RS4 Avant Flexes its Muscles on the Nürburgring

Audi RS4 Avant

While Audi's executive officers were showcasing the Ingolstadt-based firm's latest conceptual and production models such as the S6, S7, S8 and the Urban studies, the company's engineers were hard at work trying out a prototype of the upcoming RS4 series in Avant form.

The wider front and rear tracks hiding under blistered wheel arches along with the massive brakes, large alloy wheels and the typical RS-style twin oval tail pipes leave no doubt that this is the upcoming RS4 Avant model.

What remains to be seen, however, is what type of engine is lurking under the hood as Audi has recently begun updating its powertrain lineup.

While a modified version of Audi's 3.0-liter turbocharged unit may still be in the cards, it is possible that the RS4 could get the RS5 Coupe's 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 or the newly revealed 4.0-liter turbocharged unit launched in the S6 and S7 with 420HP, and the S8 with 520HP.

In any case, the RS4's powerplant should be good for more than 400-ponies that will be transferred to all four wheels through Audi's quattro system.

The new RS4 is expected to make its premiere at next year's Geneva Salon in March.

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