Audi launches Sport brand
Automaker’s new division will add eight new models in the next two years
Audi picked the New York International Auto Show to launch its new Audi Sport brand. Formerly known as Quattro GmbH, it gives the company a more recognizable umbrella for its range of everyday supercars.
The new name was inspired by the company’s rich racing history. Back in the 1930s, the Silver Arrow cars from then-Auto Union were winning on racetracks around the world.
Fifty years later, it was Quattro; the cars equipped with this permanent all-wheel drive cleaned up in everything from rally competitions to racetracks.
Closer to home, it has been the exploits of the R18 and its astounding 13 victories at Le Mans that acts as the halo for all Audis.
For the mortal, Audi’s Customer Racing program will be expanded with a racer derived directly from the production R8 V10 coupe. The super-seductive and equally potent R8 LMS GT4 will make its racing debut at the Nürburgring 24-Hour this spring.
On the road, it has long been a source of consternation that many of the RS rides available in Europe (think RS 6 Avant!) never made the trip across the Atlantic to North America. That is all about to change.
As it stands, Audi Sport’s umbrella covers the RS models, including the recently released 2018 TT RS and RS 3, along with the R8 supercar.
But that is just the start.
In the next two years, Audi Sport will add eight new models.
The first will be the RS 5 coupe set to launch in 2018. It brings an all-new 2.9-L twin-turbo V-6 that pushes 450 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Audi says the RS 5 races from rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.