Audi have made no secret about wanting to become the world’s largest luxury automaker by 2018. This means they’ll need to keep their line-up fresh and the latest evidence shows to just what extent the automaker is planning to do so…

Audi has filed papers with the European trademark office to protect seven new car names: Q6, Q8, R6, S2, S9, RS1, and RS8. While the Q6 is already known to exist and is still in the testing stages, the other models will likely be seen in.

The R6 is likely a variant of Audi’s mid-engine super car the R8 that will probably ride on a smaller platform and be slightly more affordable. Q6 and Q8 will be the brands newest SUVs, with Q6 being introduced to compete with BMW’s X6 crossover, and the Q8 slotting in as the largest most luxurious SUV in Audi’s fleet.

The names S2 and S9 suggest the the brand will introduce two more cars into the lineup, which will be called A2 and A9. The S2 and S9 will be the sports performance version of these cars. Rumors of a model above the current flagship A8 have been suggested in the past, while the revival of the S2 name suggests an exciting performance oriented coupe.

The RS1 badge could be reserved for a slightly detuned version of the limited edition A1 Quattro that has already been released. An Audi RS1 could potentially slot in between the 188 kW A1 Quattro and the 136 kW  A1 1.4 TSFI S-Line model.

The Audi R8 is on a diet! Spies have caught a second R8 V10 Sport mule lapping the Nurburgring in Germany, this time finished in stealth-like matte black paint.

Set to be the fourth model in the R8 line up, following V8 and V10 versions of the Coupe and the Spyder variant revealed at Frankfurt last week, the Sport will be the most focused incarnation of the supercar so far. With its wild rear wing, enlarged rear diffuser and more prominent bodykit, you’ll certainly see it coming.

Taking its lead from hardcore models such as the Lamborghini LP550-2 Valentino Balboni and the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, the Clubsport will feature a stripped-out cabin and ditch an all-wheel drive transmission in favour of a lighter and more dynamic rear-wheel drive setup.

The 386 kW 5,2-litre V10 from the coupe will receive a mild boost in power, while around 50 kg will be shed from the kerbweight, meaning performance should be mind-blowing. Expect the 0-100 km/h sprint to be dispatched in the region of 3.5 seconds and a top speed approaching 320 km/h

Our sources have revealed that an unveil at the Essen Motor Show in Germany in November is likely, with the car actually going on sale in the first quarter of 2010.

Adapted from AutoExpress

We recently brought you our first impressions of the Audi’s new R8 V10, with which we are impressed to say the least. When Audi went and borrowed the Gallardo’s V10 and placed it in the back of the R8, there was much to celebrate in the name of more power and torque in a brilliant chassis.

Now the game has been upped once again with an Audi R8 sport version, potentially called the Audi R8-S, rumoured to be on its way – similar to the one caught testing at the Nürburgring. What does this mean? How about lightweight bucket seats, no air-conditioning or stereo, and improved aerodynamics, which include a fixed rear wing.

Power will see a slight boost too, but don’t expect much because Audi wouldn’t want to outshine the Gallardo LP560-4’s 412 kW engine. Following Audi’s naming convention with the TT, TT-S and TT-RS, a sportier version of the R8 could take on an R8-S badge, leaving space for a Superleggera and Scuderia eating R8-RS – we live in hope! Any way you look at it, a sportier and more powerful version of an already sporty and more powerful version, is good news.

Adapted from AutoCar