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Audi S5 spied

We only recently saw the next-gen Audi A5 testing for the first time with its sleeker design covered in camouflage. Now, here's a well-concealed glimpse at of the higher-performance S5 for comparison against the standard coupe. With so much swirling camouflage picking out the differences between the two models isn't easy, but there are a few tweaks to notice. The intakes on the front fascia are just a little bigger, hinting at the increase in power. The brakes also appear to be larger, especially when comparing them at the rear. Of course, the most obvious changes are the dual exhausts poking out each corner of the speculative S5. While more power is assured for the S5 over the A5, the exact powerplant isn't officially known yet. Rumors suggest Audi using a tuned version of the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 making between 340 horsepower and 350 hp, at least for the S4. The switch to the MLB Evo platform means less weight to haul around no matter what's under the hood, though. The next-gen A4 should provide some more hints about the future of the lineup when it launches at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and the coupes are expected to join the lineup later.

2017 Audi RS5 DTM racer is a smorgasbord of carbon-fiber wings

Along with the reveal of the new RS5 coupe, Audi took the wraps off its corresponding DTM racer here at the Geneva Motor Show. This concurrent debut strategy is completely by design. "For the first time, we developed a new DTM car in parallel with the production model. This underlines once again how closely motorsport and production work together at Audi," said head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. As much as Audi would like you to believe its DTM racer shares a lot in common with its production RS5 ... well, it doesn't. Gone is the new biturbo V6, and in its place is a 4.0-liter V8. It's not a Quattro – all DTM racers are rear-wheel drive – and the chassis is a carbon-fiber monocoque. And, of course, there is an extremely complex set of wings, vanes, and splitters that you'd never see on a production car. View 15 Photos Interestingly, the 2017 DTM regulations actually reduce the total amount of downforce allowed. That ought to mean slower cars, but Audi promises the opposite is true, due to sticky new tires and a 4.0-liter V8 engine tuned to deliver "more than 500 horsepower." That's more than last year, thanks to changes made to the air intake and cooling systems. Audi won the Constructor title in DTM last year with the old RS5 racer, so the pressure is on to follow that feat again in 2017. We'll find out soon enough how good the new car is – the 2017 DTM season starts on May 6 in Hockenheim. Related Video:

Audi SQ7 could come to US with TDI power

When Audi released the new SQ7 TDI, we couldn't help but wonder whether it would ever see an American road or showroom. And the answer is: maybe. When reached for comment on the prospect of the new diesel performance ute making its way to North America, Audi USA spokesman Mark Dahncke told Autoblog that "the SQ7 is not officially signed off on for the US, but we are optimistic." Those are encouraging words, even if they stop short of official confirmation. For those who missed the announcement in the wake of the Geneva Motor Show last week, the new Audi SQ7 TDI is a technological tour de force. It packs a 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine, augmented by two turbochargers and an electric compressor to produce 435 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. It debuts a new 48-volt electrical system that powers one of the compressor and the electromechanical adaptive suspension. And just for good measure, it also features an eight-speed automatic transmission, a four-wheel steering system and all-wheel drive. The vehicle represents the first time Ingolstadt has applied the S performance badge to its largest model, and though initially announced for Europe, Dahncke's optimism leaves us hopeful in turn that it could steam its own way to American shores. If that optimism proves justified, the next big question is whether it will stick with the diesel engine or switch to a similarly powerful engine burning gasoline to more closely match American preferences – much as it did in bringing the smaller SQ5 to the US. But Dahncke tells us they "expect it to be a TDI if it does come." The decision to market a powerful diesel SUV in America would be a bold move on Audi's behalf, particularly in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal. The debacle is still fresh on the public's mind, having rocked the entire Volkswagen Group of which Audi is part – and historically a major proponent of diesel propulsion. If approved for the US market as proposed, the SQ7 TDI would far outshine the diesel versions of the Mercedes GL-Class, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, and Range Rover currently available – not to mention the 3.0-liter V6 TDI with 240 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque in many of Audi's models (which are, at the time of this writing, affected by a stop-sale in the US). Related Video: Featured Gallery Audi SQ7 TDI View 27 Photos Image Credit: Audi Green Audi Crossover SUV Diesel Vehicles Luxury Performance audi sq7