# Audi Sport > German high-performance automobile brand owned by Audi **Wikidata**: [Q265618](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q265618) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_Sport_GmbH) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/audi-sport ## Summary Audi Sport (formerly known as quattro GmbH) is a German high-performance automobile brand and subsidiary of Audi AG, headquartered in Neckarsulm, Germany. Founded in 1983, it specializes in developing and producing Audi's line of high-performance vehicles, including the Audi R8 sports car. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audi AG, which itself is part of the Volkswagen Group automotive conglomerate. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Audi Sport GmbH (formerly quattro GmbH) - **Headquarters Location**: Neckarsulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany - **Country**: Germany - **Inception Date**: January 1, 1983 - **Employees**: 1,131 - **Parent Company**: Audi AG (subsidiary of Volkswagen Group) - **Industry**: Automotive manufacturing, High-performance automobiles - **Website**: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/audi-sport-gmbh-formerly-quattro-gmbh-2946 - **Wikidata Description**: German high-performance automobile brand owned by Audi - **Sitelink Count**: 26 - **Related Sports Car**: Audi R8 4S (second generation R8 sports car) - **Notable Engineer**: Roland Gumpert (German engineer associated with Audi's performance division) ## FAQs **What is Audi Sport and what does it do?** Audi Sport GmbH is Audi AG's dedicated high-performance division, responsible for developing, engineering, and producing Audi's most powerful and dynamic vehicles. The brand handles performance variants of existing Audi models and creates exclusive high-performance sports cars. **Where is Audi Sport located?** Audi Sport is headquartered in Neckarsulm, a municipality in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. This location serves as the center for Audi's performance vehicle development and production activities. **When was Audi Sport founded?** Audi Sport was established in 1983 under its original name, quattro GmbH. The company was created to focus on Audi's high-performance vehicle programs and motorsport involvement. **Who owns Audi Sport?** Audi Sport is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audi AG, which itself is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, the German automotive manufacturing conglomerate founded in 1937. **What is the relationship between Audi Sport and Audi AG?** Audi Sport operates as a specialized division within Audi AG, focusing exclusively on high-performance vehicles. Audi AG, founded in 1909, serves as the parent organization and provides the broader manufacturing, distribution, and technological infrastructure. **What notable vehicles are associated with Audi Sport?** The Audi R8 4S, representing the second generation of Audi's flagship sports car, is manufactured under the Audi Sport banner. The division also produces high-performance variants of other Audi model lines. **Who is Roland Gumpert in relation to Audi Sport?** Roland Gumpert is a German engineer who has been associated with Audi's performance division. His work has contributed to Audi's engineering capabilities in high-performance vehicle development. ## Why It Matters Audi Sport represents Audi AG's commitment to high-performance automotive engineering and serves as the brand's flagship performance division within the larger Volkswagen Group ecosystem. As the automotive industry increasingly shifts toward electrification and sustainability, Audi Sport plays a critical role in maintaining Audi's reputation for driving dynamics, technological innovation, and premium performance vehicles. The division matters because it bridges Audi's mass-market vehicle offerings with its motorsport heritage and engineering excellence. By consolidating high-performance vehicle development under one specialized brand, Audi can maintain focused expertise in powertrain development, chassis dynamics, and lightweight construction—technologies that often trickle down to mainstream Audi vehicles. Furthermore, Audi Sport's existence within the Volkswagen Group structure demonstrates how large automotive conglomerates organize specialized divisions to maintain brand identity while leveraging shared resources. The division's location in Neckarsulm places it at the heart of Germany's automotive industry, surrounded by suppliers, engineering talent, and testing facilities that support cutting-edge vehicle development. For automotive enthusiasts and buyers seeking premium performance vehicles, Audi Sport provides a dedicated pathway to ownership of some of Audi's most advanced and exclusive products, including the R8 supercar and high-performance RS variants. ## Notable For - **Pioneering All-Wheel Drive**: Audi Sport's predecessor, quattro GmbH, was instrumental in developing and popularizing Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system, which revolutionized performance driving. - **Supercar Development**: Production of the Audi R8, one of Germany's premier mid-engine supercars, directly competing with Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari in the high-performance sports car segment. - **Motorsport Heritage**: Direct connection to Audi's successful motorsport programs in touring cars, endurance racing (Le Mans), and rally competition. - **Performance Sub-Brand**: One of the few automotive manufacturers to establish a dedicated sub-brand specifically for high-performance vehicles, similar to Mercedes-AMG and BMW M. - **German Engineering Excellence**: Headquarters in Neckarsulm, a municipality with deep ties to the German automotive industry dating back to the late 19th century. ## Body ### History and Foundation Audi Sport GmbH was established on January 1, 1983, originally operating under the name quattro GmbH. The company's founding was directly tied to Audi's ambitions in motorsport and high-performance vehicle development. The "quattro" name referenced Audi's groundbreaking all-wheel-drive system, which had proven extraordinarily successful in rally racing and would become a defining characteristic of Audi's performance vehicles. The establishment of a dedicated high-performance division allowed Audi to centralize its engineering resources, motorsport involvement, and performance vehicle production under one organizational umbrella. This strategic decision enabled faster development cycles and more focused expertise in delivering dynamic, high-performance automobiles. ### Corporate Structure and Ownership Audi Sport operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audi AG, the German automotive manufacturer headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany. Audi AG was founded in 1909 and has grown to become one of the world's premier luxury automobile manufacturers. The company employs between 63,839 and 84,435 people across its global operations. At the top of the corporate hierarchy, Audi AG is itself a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, the German automotive manufacturing conglomerate founded on May 28, 1937, and headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen Group is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world, with over 665,400 employees. This corporate structure places Audi Sport three levels deep within the Volkswagen Group organizational chart: Volkswagen Group → Audi AG → Audi Sport GmbH. ### Headquarters and Location The company's headquarters are located in Neckarsulm, a municipality in the Baden-Württemberg state of Germany. Neckarsulm has a significant presence in the German automotive industry, serving as a key manufacturing and engineering center. The city's location in southwestern Germany provides access to a dense network of automotive suppliers, engineering institutions, and testing facilities that support high-performance vehicle development. Germany itself, as Audi Sport's country of operation, represents the heart of the European automotive industry. The German automotive industry traces its roots to 1893 and encompasses organizations associated with motor vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles. Germany is known globally for its engineering excellence, manufacturing quality, and technological innovation in automotive design. ### Product Portfolio and Vehicles Audi Sport is responsible for Audi's highest-performance vehicles, including the Audi R8 4S—the second generation of Audi's flagship mid-engine sports car. The R8 represents Audi's flagship performance vehicle, competing directly with other European supercars and serving as a showcase for Audi's engineering capabilities in powertrain, chassis, and aerodynamic development. Beyond the R8, Audi Sport develops and produces the RS (RennSport) line of high-performance variants of Audi's core model range. These vehicles feature upgraded powertrains, sport-tuned suspensions, enhanced braking systems, and distinctive styling elements that distinguish them from standard Audi models. ### Connection to Notable Personnel Roland Gumpert, a German engineer, is associated with Audi's performance division. Gumpert's work has contributed to the engineering excellence that defines Audi Sport vehicles. His expertise in automotive engineering, particularly in performance-oriented vehicle development, has helped shape the technical direction of Audi's high-performance programs. ### Industry Context Audi Sport operates within the broader context of the global automotive industry, specifically the high-performance luxury segment. The automotive industry encompasses a wide range of organizations associated with motor vehicles, from mass-market manufacturers to specialized performance car builders. Within this landscape, Audi Sport occupies a niche focused on delivering driving excitement, technological innovation, and premium quality in high-performance packages. The high-performance automobile segment represents a small but significant portion of the global automotive market, characterized by higher profit margins, brand-building importance, and technological leadership that often benefits mainstream vehicle lines through knowledge transfer and shared components. ### Brand Identity and Market Position As Audi's dedicated performance division, Audi Sport competes directly with other German premium performance brands, particularly Mercedes-AMG (Mercedes-Benz's performance division) and BMW M (BMW's performance division). This competition drives continuous improvement in vehicle performance, technology, and brand cachet. The establishment of Audi Sport as a distinct sub-brand allows Audi to target buyers seeking maximum performance without sacrificing the everyday usability and luxury that characterize the Audi brand. This positioning strategy enables Audi to capture customers who might otherwise consider dedicated sports car manufacturers. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. [Source](https://www.audi.com/en/experience-audi/audi-sport/audi-racing/dakar/team.html)