INGOLSTADT, GERMANY – The next Audi S5 will have a V-6 instead of a V-8 engine when it comes out in 2009. The S5 will get the new 329-horsepower supercharged V-6 engine that is on call to replace the age-old 4.2L V-8. The V-8 was used in the previous S4 as well other high-line Audi models, according to www.edmunds.com.

The next Audi S6 will swap its V-10 for an updated twin-turbocharged version of the 4.2L V-8. Audi will likely make the same move for the S8, leaving the V-10 biturbo version to the higher-performance R8 coming next year — and to the racing R8 GT being worked over by Audi racing guru Abt Sportsline.

Within two years, the V-6 turbo will also go into the much-talked-about R4 midengine two-seater. The base R8 will stick with the updated V-8 to be seen in the next S6. As for the R8 V-12 TDI, it should go into production pretty much as IL drove it in prototype form early this year, according to www.edmunds.com.