Following a recent media leak, Audi has now released official details on its new hard-nuts RS5.

Audi’s latest RS vehicle will be again powered by a 4.2-litre V8 with output increased to 450 hp and 430 Nm of torque. The eight-cylinder will remain naturally aspirated and will be connected to a seven-speed S tronic transmission allowing the 1,725 kilogram coupe to accelerate to 100 kph in just 4.6 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 250 kph. For those with a death wish, Audi can remove the speed limiter to enable the car to hit 280 kph. Fuel economy is equally impressive with the RS5 only consuming 10.8 liters of petrol per 100 km.

To further the car’s handling abilities, Audi has installed a new crown-gear center differential. The self-locking crown-gear will vary the torque distribution between the front and rear axles. If necessary, it can transfer up to 70 percent to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the rear. When extra traction isn’t required, the unit has a standard 40:60 rear-biased split.

Other performance tweaks include a revised braking system with a ceramic carbon-fiber brake package an available option, a modified electronic stabilisation program which can be disengaged, and a recalibrated speed-dependent servotronic steering system.

In the looks department, the RS5 features an aggressive body kit, a 20mm lower ride height over the standard A5 and 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. Other aesthetic highlights include twin oval exhaust pipes feeding out of the rear bumper and a rear spoiler which automatically extends at 120 kph and retracts again at 80 kph.

Cabin appointments include leather/Alcantara sports seats, a sport steering wheel, carbon fibre trim and piano black and aluminum accents.

The RS5 is due to go on sale in Germany mid-year, with global sales starting soon after.

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New Zealand’s Kiwi Team Nürburgring has confirmed exciting plans for the team’s fourth consecutive assault on possibly the world’s most challenging endurance race, the ADAC 24 Hours of Nürburgring race.

Scheduled for the weekend of 21-24 May 2009, the ADAC 24 Hours of Nürburgring sees around 200 cars race twice around the clock, on a circuit that is 25km in length.

Expanding on the team’s two class winning Honda Civic Type R race cars that have run since 2006, a third car enters the fold for the team in the form of a an Audi RS4.  The V8 powered RS4 gives the team its best ever chance to foot it near the front of the race, against a host of factory race teams.

The expansion of the team is by far the largest New Zealand contingent in one team to take on 24 hours of racing at the ‘Green Hell’, a circuit known for its ability to throw all manner of challenging conditions at race teams.

By entering three cars over the previous two of 2007 and 2008, an additional five new drivers have joined the team for their first time.  Headlining the new additions to Kiwi Team Nürburgring is two-time New Zealand V8 champion Andy Booth.

While this is Booth’s first attempt on the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race, he has at least had the chance to drive the fast and flowing circuit previously on a European holiday two years ago.  Excited by the chance to race in such a gruelling race, Booth’s major New Zealand sponsor Big Ben Pies also joins the team for the first time.

As well as Booth, experienced endurance racers Rod Hicks and Dean Cockerton join the team for the first time, with Hicks in particular holding extensive experience at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race.  Also joining the team for are seasoned Porsche racers Jeff Lowery and Brent Greer.

Meanwhile 7 of the team’s drivers from 2008 return for the 2009 race event, including experienced racers Lewis Scott, Stu Owers and Tim Martin who will join Booth in the RS4.  Returning to drive the pair of Honda Civic’s are team owner Dr Greg Taylor, Ali Taylor (Greg’s son), plus team manager Brian McGovern and Mark Corbett.

The 2009 race will be the fourth start in this epic race for both team owner Dr Taylor, as well as Auckland driver Tim Martin.

Since 2008’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring race, both the team’s faithful Honda Civic Type R race cars have undergone a complete rebuild process, led by Richard and Craig Field of the Lodge Auto Centre in Hastings.  Then in mid-March, the team’s forty foot shipping container was packed and sent to Europe, with all the necessary provisions to run the cars, plus take care of all the other team needs such as marquees.  The container also doubles as a sleeping area for the drivers and crew during the race.

The addition of the Audi RS4 to the team’s entry for the 2009 event was confirmed after deciding this to be the most realistic opportunity to take what is already an extremely costly project to the next level.

In a joint venture with German team Götz Motorsport, preparation and engineering of the RS4 will be taken care of by the German outfit, who will work in with the New Zealand crew and drivers throughout the race weekend.  All three cars will carry near identical paint schemes.

The RS4 packs serious punch, with an Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine producing approximately 435 horsepower.  The car has potential to qualify around 40th place, and race within the top twenty cars, assuming a damage free 24 Hours.  Another strong point of the RS4 is the quattro drivetrain, with a 70% bias to the rear of the car, meaning a nice handling car but with the advantage of all four wheels driving the car, which is especially useful in wet weather conditions.

Before the main race even gets underway, a total of six hours of Qualifying is allowed for, matching the longest duration race that is run in New Zealand.  Race start time is 4pm on Saturday 23 May, an hour later than previous years, and runs through until the same time the next day.

Team members will travel to Germany just over one week before the race, to allow time to acclimatise to the time-zone, plus take in some practice laps of the Nordschleife (North Loop), the 20km part of the circuit that often opens for the public for a cost of around €15 per lap.

Progress of the team can be followed on the Kiwi Team Nürburgring website, www.KTN.co.nz.