INGOLSTADT/NECKARSULM- The RS models from
The 20.832-kilometer course is among the most challenging worldwide and every single meter is truly a tough challenge. More than 80 percent of the course is driven with full power. With maximum load applied in fast motion, every kilometer on this course equates to multiple kilometers of regular road operation. 8,000 kilometers of endurance testing on the
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Frank Stippler is one of the people who know the
Stippler's latest coup is a lap record on the
'The North Loop represents the ultimate endurance test in our development and coordination work,' explains
What distinguishes the character of Audi's fastest SUV? 'The RS Q8 combines outstanding performance and extraordinary design along with the power and versatility of an SUV and our extensive quality standards,' Hoffmann explains. 'RS vehicles have a strong and unique character: spontaneous maximum performance wherever and whenever desired, and effortless performance on long journeys.' This is important, as many RS drivers use their car every day for business trips and running errands and rack up a lot of time on the road. 'An RS is a true
Twelve models in the portfolio: The RS initiative is underway
The RS model offensive is in full swing: The sporty subsidiary of
RS models in its portfolio: the RS 3 as a Sportback and Sedan, the RS 4 Avant, the RS 5 as Coupe and Sportback, the RS 6 Avant, the RS 7 Sportback, the TT RS as Coupe and Roadster, the RS Q3 and the RS Q3 Sportback, as well as the RS Q8. Eight of these models are available in the
Future RS models will enhance the range relatively soon after the launch of the respective base product lines. That means that their characteristics will be defined at a very early stage and that their development will run alongside work on the corresponding product line upon which they are based. In addition to design, this work will focus on powertrain and suspension. After all, the aim is to bring the sporty DNA that every Audi carries to the forefront as much as possible.
Modern efficiency is one of the fundamental goals here. With the RS 6 Avant,
RS 7 Sportback, and RS Q8, the list of ingredients already includes a sophisticated mild hybrid system based on the 48-volt on-board electrical system as well as cylinder deactivation (COD) in the V8 TFSI engine under partial load. Needless to say, these functions must also be implemented in an RS-typical way. 'Fine-tuning' is the magic word when it comes to the long road that is the development of a spectacular RS model. 'A unique character will only evolve if we work consistently and with great precision. A lot of experience and a clear vision are the keys to creating a coherent overall concept,' says
Around the world 30 times: the testing program for the RS Q8 - and not just this RS
Test engineers from
30 times, with development vehicles and prototypes. The test drives took them to
Testing areas like the high-speed circular track in the southern Italian town of NardO were used to test the resilience of all components at a consistently high speed. The ice and snow in Scandinavia offered ideal conditions for putting the finishing touches to the response characteristics of the suspension and control systems. When driving on a slippery surface, even minor changes to the setup have very noticeable effects. The heat and elevation in
Inspired by the racing car: the design of RS models
The RS models are the dynamic spearheads in Audi's model portfolio, as is already indicated by their particularly striking exterior design. It is very much inspired by motorsports, combining cool understatement with a dynamic edge. Top performance in motorsports requires more extreme component shapes. According to the principle of 'form follows function,' it is therefore natural that the use of high-performance technologies from motorsports is also reflected in the visual appearance of RS models.
In many RS models, the proportion and position of the Singleframe are based on the R8 sports car: it is both wider and lower than on its sister models and dominated by sporty black accents instead of chrome elements. Some RS models have horizontal slits between the grille and the hood that are reminiscent of the iconic
The body also features an exclusive look, which is particularly striking in the Audi RS 6 Avant. It is 80 millimeters wider than the base model, and the design of the fenders is just as RS-typical as that of the rear doors, the side panel frames, the front section, and the engine hood. Only the front doors, the roof, and the tailgate are unchanged. The wheel arches of the high-performance Avant accommodate wheels with a diameter of up to 22 inches - or even 23 inches in the case of the RS Q8.
Workshops and master jig: Top-of-the-line quality even during development
The Audi maxim of uncompromising quality applies to each of the many exclusive solutions. 'Our customers demand the best products on the market,' says the Managing Director of
The Audi Quality Assurance department has a great influence on the later series production vehicle even during this phase. The employees assemble the complete RS body on highly precise aluminum measuring fixtures known as the master jig. They use state-of-the-art measuring methods such as laser scanners, which record several million measuring points on the surface of the part, to adjust all surfaces, joints, and radii down to the tenth of a millimeter. This benefits both the aerodynamics and the appeal of each individual RS.
Four locations: production of the RS models
RS models are produced at four locations. The RS 3 Sportback, the RS 3 Sedan, the
RS 4 Avant, the RS 5 Coupe, and the RS 5 Sportback roll off the line in the German plant in Ingolstadt. The RS 6 Avant and the RS 7 Sportback are produced at the Neckarsulm site. At the Hungarian plant in Gyor, the TT RS as a Coupe and Roadster, the RS Q3 and the
RS Q3 Sportback are built. The RS Q8 is produced at the Slovakian plant in
RS models are processed on shared systems with their sister models. The Audi press shops supply the specific sheet metal parts made of steel or, in many cases, aluminum that are then assembled in the body shop.
The marriage, that is the assembly station where the suspension and drivetrain are joined with the body, is very challenging in the case of the models with a V8 engine in particular.
RS-specific parts such as the exhaust system, bumpers, rear aprons, and wheels complete the RS models. A two-digit number of RS 6 Avants and RS 7 Sportbacks are built in Neckarsulm every working day. Each one of them is checked on a road course before being handed over to the customer.
The 'Bollinger Hofe' factory is located close by the Neckarsulm plant, the headquarters of
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In 2019, the
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