AUDI RS5

After what seems like an eternity, the launch of the 2010 Audi RS5 is almost upon us.

A nearly-finished coupe version of the hot Audi was recently spotted testing its stopping power in the Alps ahead of a possible Frankfurt Motor Show debut.

Audi has managed to keep everyone guessing about the  but the most-likely scenario is that it's powered by a modified version of the liter V-8 tuned to make around between 450 and 500 horsepower mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch auto. And of course, expect all four wheels to be putting the power down through Audi's quattro system.

 
Visually, the menacing-looking flat-black prototype you see here should be very close to the finished article, though the rear fender flares could end up being more pronounced. Also differentiating the RS5 from the S5 is its honeycomb grille and single-outlet dual exhaust. The S5 has two smaller outlets on each of its exhaust pipes.

Although its not known for sure whether or not the RS5 will come to the U.S. at some point, we reported earlier this year that it is likely to be on the way here sometime after its European launch.