Suspense builds ahead of Audi’s reveal of new 2013 RS 5 Cabriolet

Iron Man’s Audi R8 gets a lot of attention, and deservedly so, but the coolest Audi may not be an R8. Among the auto press and enthusiasts worldwide, the Audi S5 convertible is widely considered one of the world’s most attractive designs. The S5 is a wonderful car. Powerful, kind to the eyes, and just right in terms of size and dimensions. Power from the 333 horsepower supercharged V6 is more than enough for any road anyplace on Earth. In recent years Audi started to move away from V8 engines in its hot models for a variety of reasons moving to blown sixes. However, it seems to have learned that although six is fine, all guys would rather have 2 more.

Our own Patrick Rall previewed the new 2013 Audi RS 5 coupe in past weeks. When Audi pulls back the sheet this Thursday on the RS 5 Cabriolet we will see some changes in the body work, likely a lower stance, some added carbon-fiber bits here and there and that beautiful body we have come to admire. However, it is under the skin that the real news is. There will very likely be the 450 HP V8 that every Audi buyer really wants.

Making the RS 5 almost unique in the world of automobiles, the V8 RS 5 convertible will also be all-wheel drive. The reasons for this are both good and bad. Good because when you stomp on the gas putting 450 hp to the ground through any 2-wheel drive car, no matter how sophisticated its differential is, either wheel-spin happens, or traction control kicks in. Both result in a slower start. With the Audi AWD Quattro system the car will squat, and explode ahead. A 0-60 time well under 5 seconds, and within a few tenths of a second of the ferocious R8, is the result. The bad has to do with the fact that this car is really configured for front wheel drive with the engine pretty far forward in the chassis. Every competitor to this car is rear-wheel drive. Audi therefore makes the car AWD and is able to produce profitable A4 and A5 models in front drive, but still refine the platform to this beast of ride.

Torque News will bring you the pictures and details later, but within days the world will see one of the best convertibles available at any price and learn if it will be offered in Fifty Shades of Grey.

Please note that the photo shown is a 2012 Audi S5 Cabriolet courtesy of Audi.