On Friday, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen confirmed the news. Pricing has yet to be announced, but the RS5 sells for about $88,000 in Europe. And what does almost 90 grand buy you? How about a slightly tweaked version of the same engine that powers the R8, Audi's version of a supercar? According to The New York Times "Wheels" blog:

"A slightly breathed-on variant of the 4.2-liter V8 that powers Audi’s R8 sports car appears in the RS5, producing 450 horsepower to the R8’s 420. The car’s sole transmission in Europe is a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and it would be the first application of the transmission for the North American market."

The standard, though already performance-enhanced, S5 competes with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 6-Series. The fire-breathing RS5, on the other hand, will take on those German manufacturers' high-end tuning houses in AMG and M division, respectively.

For Audi TT fans, it remains unclear if the TT RS will be heading across the pond, though de Nysschen himself says he is in favor of the move.