High-Performance Models of Audi Sport GMBH | Audi South Africa

Progress shaped by the rhombus

The high-performance models of Audi Sport GmbH make progress tangible. At the same time, the company, founded 40 years ago as quattro GmbH, stands for constant change and the demand for exclusiveness and perfection.

Copy: AUDI AG – Photo: AUDI AG, Robert Fischer – Film: AUDI AG Reading Time: 6 min

An Audi RS 4 (B5) and a current Audi RS model driving on a racetrack.

Experience you can feel

“It’s part of our DNA to develop and test new technologies for production vehicles in motorsport for the first time. At the Dakar Rally, the Audi RS Q e-tron  has proven for two years now that an electrified drive concept can perform under the toughest conditions. In our production portfolio, the Audi RS e-tron GT as the first all-electric RS model stands for our fascinating, emotional and consistent progress.”

Rear view of the Audi RS e-tron GT.

Rolf Michl has been with AUDI AG since 2007; he built up the Audi Sport TT Cup, the company’s one-make super car racing series, from 2014, among other things, and helped shape the company’s biggest product campaign as Director Sales and Marketing from 2019. Since September 2022, Rolf Michl has been Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH responsible for motorsport at Audi.

Interior view of the Audi RS e-tron GT.
Portrait shot of Sebastian Grams.

Performance you can feel

“Production of the Audi R8 GT takes place at the Böllinger Höfe together with the Audi e-tron GT. It’s a unique combination of craftsmanship and smart factory. As a young engineer, I had the chance to help develop the engine of the first Audi R8. When I started the engine on the test bench for the first time, I got goose bumps. The enhancements in the second-generation Audi R8 GT with its 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine developing 456 kW (620 hp) (fuel consumption combined: 15.0– 14.9 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 341-339 g/km) and the new Torque Rear driving mode, which enables controlled yet precise oversteer: that’s progress you can feel!”

Portrait shot of Sebastian Grams.

Dr Sebastian Grams has been with Audi for a good 20 years. He developed high-performance engines and electric drives and founded the SEAT:CODE software factory. Since March 2021, he has been Managing Director at Audi Sport GmbH responsible for the series production range and vehicle customisation.

Bird’s eye view of the rear and engine compartment of the Audi R8 GT.
Front view of the Audi R8 GT.
 
 

Design you can feel

“Exterior design is extremely important to our RS customers in particular. The wide body is a fundamental part of the Audi Sport DNA. It gives an RS model its overall appearance. The current Audi RS 6 Avant* performance is up to 80 millimetres wider than the normal Audi A6 Avant, but it is not just a matter of extending the wheel arches. The car is practically completely redesigned around the wide body. The Audi RS 6 Avant* only shares the roof, front doors and tailgate with the Audi A6 series. The rest is exclusively designed. So you can feel the emotion and performance of our RS models long before you get in.”

Portrait shot of Markus Eberle.

Markus Eberle has been with AUDI AG for ten years. As Product Manager he has been responsible for RS vehicles for six years. He has an eye on the worldwide requirements for the vehicles and knows the Audi RS 6 Avant* series inside out.

Front view of the Audi RS 6 Avant performance.
Bird’s eye view on the rear of the Audi RS 6 Avant performance.

Heritage you can feel

“The first Audi RS 4 Avant, which we presented in 1999, was in the strict sense the first genuine RS model from quattro GmbH. Not only did it lay the foundation for everything that still characterises our vehicles today. With the 280 kW (380 hp) V6 twin turbo unit, we also created something completely new at the time – back then, there was nothing in this vehicle segment that could match the performance of our Audi RS 4 Avant. This gave rise to the guiding principle ‘generate demand’, and our aspiration to create surprise moments with our vehicles time and time again still clearly resonates as part of our DNA today.”


Portrait shot of Stephan Reil.

Stephan Reil has been with AUDI AG since 1990, where he has held various management positions at quattro and Audi Sport GmbH respectively between 1996 and 2017. He has been Head of Technical Development at the Neckarsulm site since July 2020.

Front view of the Audi RS 4 from 1999.
Side view of the Audi RS 4 from 1999.
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