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THE AUDI Sport brand’s introduction in the country will be spearheaded by the RS Q8 — set to arrive before Christmas, according to PGA Cars. The RS 3 Sedan is also expected to appear in local showrooms by that time, with the R8 supercar and RS 6 Avant coming before yearend or in January 2021.

In a release, Audi said that each RS model “undergoes development work at the famed Nürburgring track, with each logging at least 8,000 kilometers of testing. Through this, Audi Sport determines how RS models’ powertrain and suspension components perform under extreme conditions.”

Last year, the RS Q8, a souped-up version of the Audi Q8, registered a lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife (North Loop) of seven minutes and 42.253 seconds — the fastest time set by a production SUV around the famed track.

The performance SUV is driven by a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged TFSI V8 engine delivering 600hp and 800Nm of torque between 2,200rpm and 4,500rpm. It can reach 100kph from standstill in 3.8 seconds, and 200kph in 13.7 seconds. The growl of the RS Q8 comes out of a dual exhaust system finished by oval tailpipes. Audi’s drive select system allows the driver to alter the handling and dynamic response of the RS Q8.

As an Audi Sport RS model, the RS Q8 gets quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which receives the power of the 4.0 TFSI engine via an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. “The quattro name represents sportiness, safe driving, technical expertise and peak performance in a competitive environment,” continued the release.

Audi Philippines is also set to bring in the RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe, RS 5 Sportback, RS 7 Sportback, TT RS Coupe, TT RS Roadster, RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback in 2021.

“RS vehicles have a strong and unique character: spontaneous maximum performance wherever and whenever desired. This is achieved thanks to breathtaking design, high-end look and feel, and outstanding quality,” said Audi Sport Managing Director Oliver Hoffmann.

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