Audi Plans Slew of New Performance Models

As Audi's sales have skyrocketed globally and particularly here in the United States, its lineup has been expanding in tandem. Over the past few years the company has added the A5, Q5, R8 and, internationally, the new A1 minicar.

That also been accompanied by new brand-building performance models aimed at enthusiasts. That includes bringing the Audi RS5 and TT-RS to the United states . Word is now coming about further new performance models to be spread out over a year's time.

The steady stream of performance models from Audi has continued unabated - the A1 TFSI that James recently covered and a 450 horsepower V-8 powered S7 will be making their debut in Paris. But according to The German Car Blog those two models are only just the beginning.

Next year an even higher performance S1 is set to come, packing 220 hp from a 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder sourced Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Geneva Auto Show in march 2011 will bring the RS3, designed to go head-to-head with BMW's upcoming 1-Series M. That car will be powered by the 340 hp 5-cylinder in the TT-RS.

Last in the progression is a new range-topping model for Audi's sedan range - the RS7. In our post about the S7 Sportback, we said the car was just begging for an RS7 variant. Audi seems to agree, as a RS7 is expected to make its debut exactly a year away at the Paris Auto Show in 2011.

In addition to even further upgrades, it will be powered by the 4.0-liter V-8 in the new Continental GT, twin-turbocharged to produce around 550 horsepower.