Hi, Audi. I just really wanted to take this time to say, between this and the logo tweak, Fuck You.
To expand on my earlier point, it isn't about the RS5 being capable or not. It's about messing with a good formula. The RS4 was doing really good, and I preferred it to the RS6. Do you know how awesome a new RS4 Avant would have been? Well, too bad. Excel and Powerpoint Audi is getting rid of it. And the old font. Which was not some generic ass Microsoft shit. I need a fucking drink.
@.357: I take it you don't the RS6 Avant in the fictitious land of Canadia either, huh?
This actually doesn't bother me much at all, because my love for the RS5 leaves no room for anything else in my heart. I used to adore the RS4 because it was the only RS we could get here, but I far prefer the A5/S5 to the A4/S4, so an RS5 is like everything I loved about the RS4 in a better wrapper.
@.357: You Are Right, I Am Wrong. If I Disagree With You, I Should Be Shot.:
[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: Cut the cursing. It is really really juvenile. Seriously. Stop. You're making me regret certain actions.]
No reason to be sad. A5 will soon be available in a 4 door version. I believe the RS5 too.
Oh, and if anything has to be said about the current B8 S4 is that it handles much better than the old RS4 thanks to its clutch based differential similar to that in Nissan GT-R.
And it's got a supercharged V6 that can be easily chiptuned up to 430 HP for next to nothing . Why so sad, again?
Al Navarro promoted this comment
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@Joshman Pouhon:
You know what changed it most? My wife telling me last night "I want you to get one of them, but don't buy it. Lease it. You know what happens to VAG products after the warranty expires."
Smart woman, that one. Fortunately, things are leasing well these days.
@pauljones:
Please send fan mail to Ray. Maybe Nick can shake out some $ for my on going services. BTW, again, you were the mack the other day keeping people as non-douchey as possible. That was truly an inspiration.
@Formerlythegreatestdriver:
Not fired. Stop the rumor mill now. It was always supposed to be short term. Hopefully I'll get to write a "well it's been fun" piece on my way out. Which btw, is now next Monday....
@Ash78: I have to disagree in this case. As Un-Jalop as it is to take a coupe over a wagon, the RS5/S5/A5 is just to damn beautiful. Now I might be able to agree with you on a RS5 Avant. Oh the possibilities
@mandwer: I guess I'm just struck by the irony, when citing the economy as a factor, that a balls-out fast coupe is better than a balls-out fast wagon or sedan. If people were truly logical in the face of economic uncertainty, you'd expect them to increasingly choose the jack of all trades. That's just my thought process...doesn't necessarily apply to an emotional/aesthetic purchase.
The logical thing to do is offer nothing but four-cylinder station wagons. But neither people nor the automotive market are logical.
Most people who want a high performance car don't give a damn about practicality. They give a damn about looks and performance, something that the RS5 has in spades.
How many times during RS4 tests did magazines wish there was an Audi Coupe? Frequently. It seemed that every article I read had that in there somewhere. How many times during M3 tests did magazines wish there was a sedan again? Not so many.
Sedans are still, to a great extent, seen as practical offerings, and right now it seems that Audi wants to play up the practicality side of things in response to a changing market. They don't want the extreme performance getting tied up with their sedans and risk being seen as making too many irresponsible performance cars. Like Mercedes-Benz.
As for the wagon/shooting brake thing, we've been through that ad infinitum. It's just not going to happen in the US. Period. Over and out.
Welcome to Malaise II. Not nearly as bad as Malaise I, but it still stinks.
Pessimipposaurus promoted this comment
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It would look better if they hit with a few shots of red and grey primer, and then take a couple swipes at it with an electric hand grinder. It could then be perfected with some wide white walls and spun aluminum Moon wheel discs.
I'm sure I'll take a bunch of abuse for saying this, but I'd much rather have this than an R8. The R8 looks like it is trying to hard and failing while this looks sinister and effortless.
@SSX: Having driven one, I can tell you that it is actually a magnificent car to drive, but like the Porsche that it is intended to compete with, the looks of the car are polarizing. Some like, some don't.
Personally, I prefer the looks of the 997, but I would take the R8's looks over the bug-eyed 996.
@pauljones: I'd take a Porsche over the R8 too, even the 996. I personally like the 993 style maybe since I grew up lusting over a black Turbo I used to see occasionally when I was in elementary school.
@layabout: It surprises me that you were embarrassed to be seen in the Audi. From an interior standpoint, the Audi was by far the better of the two, and I personally liked the way it drove, though no more or less than I like the way the base 997 drives.
One thing I will say is that I got a lot more looks in the Audi than I did in the 997.
@pauljones: I just found the Porsche more fun to drive,by no way am i saying the Audi is a bad car,from the exterior i'm not a fan of its looks & i found it to be a little bit of a "look at me" kind of car & preferred the more subtle looks of the Porsche
I saw an RS5 on sunday,i must admit i did a double take as i didn't think they had been launched yet. Either way i'd say the A5/S5 are the best looking cars in Audi's current line up.
@layabout: I must be getting old; I am losing my ability to spot the subtle differences. Did the car have the RS5 badges? Most of the S5's I saw in South Africa had these S-line wheels on them, the damn thing looks almost exactly the same.
@Comrade Clockwork: Yeah it was badged as an RS5,that's what made look twice. I guess it could be being reviewed by a journo or something,but the car did look pretty authentic to me & stood out more than an S5.
08/28/09
08/28/09
To expand on my earlier point, it isn't about the RS5 being capable or not. It's about messing with a good formula. The RS4 was doing really good, and I preferred it to the RS6. Do you know how awesome a new RS4 Avant would have been? Well, too bad. Excel and Powerpoint Audi is getting rid of it. And the old font. Which was not some generic ass Microsoft shit. I need a fucking drink.
08/28/09
This actually doesn't bother me much at all, because my love for the RS5 leaves no room for anything else in my heart. I used to adore the RS4 because it was the only RS we could get here, but I far prefer the A5/S5 to the A4/S4, so an RS5 is like everything I loved about the RS4 in a better wrapper.
08/28/09
[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: Cut the cursing. It is really really juvenile. Seriously. Stop. You're making me regret certain actions.]
08/28/09
08/28/09
Oh, and if anything has to be said about the current B8 S4 is that it handles much better than the old RS4 thanks to its clutch based differential similar to that in Nissan GT-R.
And it's got a supercharged V6 that can be easily chiptuned up to 430 HP for next to nothing . Why so sad, again?
08/28/09
08/28/09
Not exactly. I find it much more stylish.
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08/28/09
You know what changed it most? My wife telling me last night "I want you to get one of them, but don't buy it. Lease it. You know what happens to VAG products after the warranty expires."
Smart woman, that one. Fortunately, things are leasing well these days.
08/28/09
Could be. I've read in Europubs that they are thinking of commemorating some anniversary of the Ur-Q soon....
08/28/09
[www.fourtitude.com]
08/28/09
08/28/09
Please send fan mail to Ray. Maybe Nick can shake out some $ for my on going services. BTW, again, you were the mack the other day keeping people as non-douchey as possible. That was truly an inspiration.
08/28/09
08/28/09
Not fired. Stop the rumor mill now. It was always supposed to be short term. Hopefully I'll get to write a "well it's been fun" piece on my way out. Which btw, is now next Monday....
08/28/09
08/28/09
In my humble Meinung
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The logical thing to do is offer nothing but four-cylinder station wagons. But neither people nor the automotive market are logical.
Most people who want a high performance car don't give a damn about practicality. They give a damn about looks and performance, something that the RS5 has in spades.
How many times during RS4 tests did magazines wish there was an Audi Coupe? Frequently. It seemed that every article I read had that in there somewhere. How many times during M3 tests did magazines wish there was a sedan again? Not so many.
Sedans are still, to a great extent, seen as practical offerings, and right now it seems that Audi wants to play up the practicality side of things in response to a changing market. They don't want the extreme performance getting tied up with their sedans and risk being seen as making too many irresponsible performance cars. Like Mercedes-Benz.
As for the wagon/shooting brake thing, we've been through that ad infinitum. It's just not going to happen in the US. Period. Over and out.
Welcome to Malaise II. Not nearly as bad as Malaise I, but it still stinks.
08/20/09
Great looking car. Is it just me or does this angle make it look like something in the American muscle car segment? For twice the price (or thrice?).
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Personally, I prefer the looks of the 997, but I would take the R8's looks over the bug-eyed 996.
08/20/09
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08/20/09
One thing I will say is that I got a lot more looks in the Audi than I did in the 997.
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08/20/09
Looks good!
08/20/09
@layabout: Very good......
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