According to the folks over at Fourtitude, the next generation of Audi RS4 and RS5 will share the same high-revving, naturally-aspirated 4.2-litre V8 engine and may also get Audi’s latest 7-speed twin-clutch S tronic gearbox.

Output for the hi-po V8 is likely to be anywhere between 334 and 350kW, while you can bank on the redline being anywhere upwards of the 8250rpm limit of the current RS4. Apparently, turbochargers and superchargers are strictly verboten for the RS4 and RS5 due to packaging reasons, so it’ll be interesting to see whether Audi will be able to coax an extra 30 or so kilowatts from the venerable 4.2-litre bent eight without increasing displacement.

Audi’s new Valvelift system (below) will probably help it achieve that target, however extracting any additional grunt from the already highly-tuned motor will still be a difficult task without forced induction.

The new RS models are also rumoured to be getting Audi’s new torque-biasing differential technology, which actively splits engine twist between the left and right wheels depending on the driver’s steering inputs, therefore allowing much sharper turns. This, coupled with the new V8 and the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox should position the new RS4 and RS5 on a plane well above that of their main rival, the BMW M3, and should put their Bavarian competitors on notice.
If this is what the next RS4 is going to be like, then the next M3 CSL had better be damn good.

[Fourtitude]