As Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, Sebastian Grams is responsible for the series production business and vehicle customisation. In this interview, the mechanical engineer with a doctorate in engineering takes a look at the history and future of high-performance models shaped by the red rhombus.
Progress shaped by the rhombus > Audi Sport > Audi Cyprus
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.
Founded in 1983 as quattro GmbH, Audi Sport GmbH stands for high-performance, exclusiveness, customisation and transformation capability. The abbreviation “RS” first appeared in 1999, when the Audi RS 4 Avant (left) was launched. Today, Audi Sport GmbH has 16 high-performance models in its vehicle portfolio.
Professional driver, closed-off track. Do not attempt.
Founded in 1983 as quattro GmbH, Audi Sport GmbH stands for high-performance, exclusiveness, customisation and transformation capability. The abbreviation “RS” first appeared in 1999, when the Audi RS 4 Avant (left) was launched. Today, Audi Sport GmbH has 16 high-performance models in its vehicle portfolio.
Professional driver, closed-off track. Do not attempt.
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.”
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.
The Audi RS e-tron GT is the electric and sporty flagship in the Audi Sport product portfolio. It is proof of the transformation into an electrified future.
The interior of the Audi RS e-tron GT conveys a pure Gran Turismo feeling and radiates sportiness, comfort and spaciousness in equal measure.
The Audi RS e-tron GT is the electric and sporty flagship in the Audi Sport product portfolio. It is proof of the transformation into an electrified future.
The interior of the Audi RS e-tron GT conveys a pure Gran Turismo feeling and radiates sportiness, comfort and spaciousness in equal measure.
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!”
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.
The Audi R8 has been around since 2006. Sebastian Grams was involved in the enhancements of the naturally aspirated engine. The current Audi R8 GT is at the top of the ranks of Audi’s high-performance sports cars.
The Audi R8 has shaped the Audi brand. The GT edition offers an additional performance boost and, among other things, carbon add-on parts and special performance rims.
The Audi R8 has been around since 2006. Sebastian Grams was involved in the enhancements of the naturally aspirated engine. The current Audi R8 GT is at the top of the ranks of Audi’s high-performance sports cars.
The Audi R8 has shaped the Audi brand. The GT edition offers an additional performance boost and, among other things, carbon add-on parts and special performance rims.
40 years at the pulse of time
When Audi Sport GmbH was founded in 1983 as quattro GmbH, it was not yet foreseeable that it would become a manufacturer of top-quality high-performance vehicles with an extremely successful motorsport programme over the following four decades. In the 1980s, the company began selling accessories and sports equipment, followed by exclusive custom equipment in the 1990s. With the presentation of the Audi S6 plus, the company officially became a vehicle manufacturer in 1996. But the real foundation stone for what is still to be found in the current R and RS series models was laid in 1999 with the first Audi RS 4 Avant. Today, the vehicle portfolio is larger than ever, with 16 models ranging from the compact Audi RS 3 Sportback to the Audi R8 Coupé supercar and the all-electric top model Audi RS e-tron GT. In 2016, quattro GmbH was renamed as Audi Sport GmbH – the name Audi Sport is based on the long and successful tradition in motorsport, with more than 400 titles won. But the focus is still on electrification: The innovative Audi RS Q e-tron prototype was built in 2021 for the first participation in the legendary Dakar Rally and preparations are currently underway for the entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship planned for 2026. The new regulations will then focus on greater electrification. Taking new, unusual paths and continuously enhancing its vehicles – this attitude will continue to characterise Audi Sport GmbH. The goal is clear: To boldly, sustainably and progressively shape the future of mobility in the high-performance segment.
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.”
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.
Like hardly any other model, the Audi RS 6 Avant – especially in the performance variant – combines enormous performance and iconic design with practical all-round characteristics.
The wheel arches, which are around 40 millimetres wider on each side compared to the Audi A6 Avant, allow for wider tyres, which is reflected in the driving dynamics.
Like hardly any other model, the Audi RS 6 Avant – especially in the performance variant – combines enormous performance and iconic design with practical all-round characteristics.
The wheel arches, which are around 40 millimetres wider on each side compared to the Audi A6 Avant, allow for wider tyres, which is reflected in the driving dynamics.
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.”
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.
The Audi RS 4 Avant (B5) from 1999 was the first genuine RS model from quattro GmbH. It only shares the roof, front doors and tailgate with the then Audi S4 production model.
The Audi RS 4 Avant (B5) becomes quattro GmbH’s absolute bestseller: instead of the planned 3,000 units, customers ordered just over 6,000.
The Audi RS 4 Avant (B5) from 1999 was the first genuine RS model from quattro GmbH. It only shares the roof, front doors and tailgate with the then Audi S4 production model.
The Audi RS 4 Avant (B5) becomes quattro GmbH’s absolute bestseller: instead of the planned 3,000 units, customers ordered just over 6,000.
