Audi RS7 and Q3 RS due next year

RS7 to be mechanically identical to the Audi RS6; Q3 RS will receive 2.5-litre five-pot from the TT RS

Audi’s high-performance RS arm will launch four new models next year, including an RS7 and its first high-performance SUV, the Q3RS.

Quattro GmbH chief Stephan Reil confirmed the launch of the new models last week, but did not go into detail. But Autocar understands that in addition to the recently revealed Audi RS6 and RS5 cabriolet models, 2013 will mark the introduction of the RS7 and Q3 RS.

The RS7 is tipped to be shown as soon as the Detroit motor show next month. It’s likely to be mechanically identical to the RS6, meaning power will come from a 552bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. A top speed of 190mph to match the RS6 Avant is also expected.

The RS7 is expected to be offered instead of a saloon version of the RS6. A similar strategy is employed with RS4/RS5 models, where there are estate and coupé versions but no saloon.

The Q3 RS was previewed at the Beijing motor show in April. Reil hinted that a production version would be shown at the Geneva motor show in the spring. The concept used a version of the TT RS’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine tuned to produce 355bhp.