Audi to double number of RS models by 2018

Audi Sport's new boss Stephen Winkelmann has announced radical new plans to double the number of RS variants the current German car-maker produces.

Speaking to Autocar, Winkelmann revealed that under his leadership the RS brand will increases the number of variants it makes from today's seven models (RS 3, RS Q3, RS 4, TT RS, RS 6, RS 7 and R8) to 15 vehicles by 2018.

"There is more to come", Winkelmann told the Brit mag.

Winkelmann wouldn't reveal what specific RS models would be joining the range but said the current offering would increase to 15 different vehicles by 2018.

This statement has led to wild speculation what cars will get the RS treatment.

Obvious additions to the RS lineup is a replacement for the RS5 that's already been spotted testing and the RS Q5 that was confirmed earlier this year in January.

It's not known what the other cars are, but some are already speculating that Winkelmann, who only joined Audi Sport last February, will attempt to revive the cancelled RS 1 program.

If green-lit for production the cost of developing an RS 1, which will be based on Audi's next-gen MQB-based A1, could be shared with an RS version of the Q2. The small SUV could share engines and some chassis updates since it sits on the same platform.

The remaining RS models could include an RS version of Audi’s A8 limousine and an R8 RS that could be inspired by the car-maker's involvement in the GT3 sports car racing.

Featuring a track-honed chassis, the R8 RS could come with an even more powerful version of supercar's already-mighty naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10.

An even more exciting prospect for fast Audi fans is that in the interview with Autocar, the Audi Sport boss also refused to rule out another unique RS model. Instead of outright denying a faster R8, or another standalone RS model, Winkelmann replied “let’s see”.

It's thought Mercedes-AMG's introduction of its new '45' sub-brand and BMW's success at selling M versions of the X5 and X6 has helped Winkelmann create a business case to expand the RS range.

This could see the car-maker create an R10 hypercar, although such a project would require masterful diplomacy following the Volkswagen Group's recent cost-cutting measures that have halted any future development on Audi platforms and forced the premium marque to use Volkswagen underpinnings like the MQB architecture.

In return for the big expansion of RS models the ex-Lambo boss has promised his car-maker will deliver double-digit growth in RS sales, says Autocar.

It was only last year that Audi's high-performance brand quattro GmbH was rebranded Audi Sport -- a name that was reserved for the firm's motorsport activities.

The move to change the name was believed to have been driven by a bid to link RS with its motorsport investment. It's also thought some buyers were confused with how the quattro badge related to RS.