When you think of fast European sports cars, usually it's BMW's M Division and Mercedes-Benz AMG products that spring to mind first. Audi Sport may not immediately be the apparent performance German automaker, but it should be. It has given us many reasons to take them seriously as a brand that focuses on offering some truly potent machines.

While the first official performance car to come from Audi was the 1990 S2, comprehensively engineered sports cars came to fruition just a few years later. Audi took a brand popular configuration, their wagon (Avant), and transformed it into a rally-inspired street weapon with the help of their German neighbors at Porsche. The first "RS" badged car was born, and the rest, as you know, is history. This was proof Audi was serious about going fast, not just in the rally, but road cars were now fair game too.

Today Audi RS products are highly competitive in nearly every segment of the market. From compact sporty sedans to large luxury super SUVs, there is undoubtedly an Audi R, S, or RS product for everybody. Audi Sport, formerly known as "Quattro," as an entity is relatively new. However, clever engineers have always worked behind the scenes to make Audis go faster and work harder for drivers. Here are 15 of the best fast Audis ever made.

Looking at data from MotorTrend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, and Road and Track, we have compiled a list of the fastest cars by comparing the top speed of each individual sports car.

Updated on July 05, 2023: Over the decades, numerous Audi sports cars have come and gone that have gained a place in our hearts, so we have decided to refresh and update this list. That means instead of burying this one into the endless articles lost to the internet, the original ten sports cars can be found below, and a few new ones to help expand your excitement and knowledge.

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15 2023 Audi S8

Top Speed: 155 MPH

As vehicles grow in size and weight, it's proving difficult for manufacturers to inject the sportiness into their full-size cars like past generations. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have seriously struggled in this department, with their newest versions of the 7-series and S-class emerging as lofty lounges on wheels. For the most part, the luxury aspect is a warm welcome as all the full-size sedans offer unbelievable levels of comfort, stunning design, and rich materials to coddle passengers in.

Performance For 2023 Audi S

Audi hasn't forgotten that they are still building a moving automobile, and there will inevitably be those who prefer their luxury land yacht to have some spirited driving capability. The 2023 Audi S8 is undoubtedly the driver's car of the bunch. Each packs a punch, but the Audi is the most composed. Don't forget the Audi was the car of choice for the movie The Transporter.

14 1994 Audi RS2 Avant

Top Speed: 163 MPH

A love child of Porsche and Audi, the RS2 Avant brought clever Stuttgart Engineering to the humble Audi wagon of the 1990s. A star was born, with the turbocharged power plant inspired by five-cylinder Audis from its rally past. Porsche helped by increasing the turbo size, revamping the cooling, tuning the ECU, and providing more aggressive cams.

Performance For 1994 Audi RS2 Avant

311 horsepower was very potent for a small wagon of the era. A better suspension geometry and amazingly big-brake system derived from Porsche's 911 turbo was added to the RS2 to reel in all the power. Ultimately the assistance from Porsche helped Audi gain a sort of street-cred that got the attention of performance car enthusiasts.

13 2017 Audi RS3

Top Speed: 174 MPH

The five-cylinder was back with a bang. Earlier versions of the RS3 were great in concept. Still, none got the attention of sports car fans like the third generation of the A3, specifically the 2017 RS3 that now produced 400 horsepower and was a proper M2 competitor. Ironically, when Audi's RS3 became a sedan and global car, its reputation spiked as it became increasingly popular in the North American market.

Performance For 2017 Audi RS3

Its stout 2.5 liter inline-five engine could withstand massive power added by tuners. It wasn't difficult to dial up power from a simple tune and minor mechanical upgrades, either. This RS3 was a true spiritual successor to the rowdy RS2 that came before.

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12 2018 Audi TT RS

Top Speed: 174 MPH

This list would be incomplete without the definitive Audi Sportscar name that predates the R8. Over the years, the TT has evolved into a baby R8. Based on Volkswagen's MQB platform, the 3rd-gen Audi TT came to market in 2016. Equipped with the popular 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder turbo, the TT put out 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. You had a smooth-shifting seven-speed S-tronic DCT sending power to the ground through a Haldex all-wheel drive system.

Performance For 2018 Audi TT RS

0-60 mph comes up in 3.2 seconds. Although Audi limits the top speed to 155 mph in stock guise, an optional Dynamic Plus package on the TT RS unlocked a top speed of 174 mph. Additionally, the TT in RS guise packed extra visual and performance upgrades like a more aggressive body kit, 19 or 20-inch wheels, and magnetic ride dampers.

11 2023 Audi RS4 Competition Plus

Top Speed: 180 MPH

Even Audi has jumped onto the "competition" badging scheme. It seems drivers are springing straight to BMW's Competition models without hesitation, and Audi wants a piece of that pie. The new RS4 Competition Plus adds some theater by raising the top speed to 180 miles per hour, a more free-flowing aggressive sounding exhaust, and new lightweight wheels that save nearly 4.5 pounds per corner.

Performance For 2023 Audi RS4 Competition Plus

Any savings in unsprung weight tends to dramatically help a car's handling characteristics. Additionally, the car's sport differential has been upgraded, and the fixed-ratio steering has been reduced significantly, creating a sharp turn-in. The shocks are now adjustable for compression and rebound. Although the engine has not had an increase in power, the torque curve has been reworked, and the transmission speeds sharpened.

New, more aggressive tire options are also available. The Competition Plus Pack offers many comprehensive upgrades that transform the RS4 into a serious performance car. Unfortunately, for now, the RS4 is not available in the United States.

10 2015 Audi RS5

Top speed: 178 MPH

Perhaps the golden era of internal combustion was the mid-late 2000s, with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi all offering V-8 power in their small entry-level models. Audi was a bit late to the scene. Still, Audi had a true competitor with an 8,300 RPM redline from its 4.2 liter V-8 from the R8 supercar, 450 horsepower matching the Mercedes' 6.3 V-8, and far eclipsing the BMW M3's 414 horsepower.

Performance For 2015 Audi RS5

The engine sounded as wild as the M3's but provided the punch of the C63. The RS5 was a true talk the talk, walk the walk sort of car. With Quattro all-wheel-drive, RS5 had a trick up its sleeve that the others couldn't match. The C63 was famously uncontrollable in many situations, while the M3 lacked torque and later proved less than reliable if not stringently maintained. The RS5 was the smart move.

RELATED: Audi Sport Has The Perfect Plan To Retain Driving Pleasure As It Approaches An All-Electric Future

9 2006 Audi R8

Top Speed: 187 MPH

The Audi LeMans Quattro Concept was brought to life! The first generation Audi R8 featured a version of Audi's screaming 4.2 liter V-8 paired with a proper six-speed manual. The R8 used every one of its 420 horsepower, which some complained was simply insufficient for such a car. In the end, a V-10-powered R8 was introduced and lives on as the car we know today, but originally in 2006, it was the V-8 that really shined.

Performance For 2006 Audi R8

It was the original and successfully showcased how agile an Audi sports car can be. Often mocked for having wonky weight distribution on many models, the R8 hushed up any nay-sayers. With a curb weight of 3,400 pounds, the all-wheel-drive V-8 powered R8 wasn't a super lightweight car. Still, given its luxury edge over other supercars and reputation for reliably performing under pressure, the new mid-engined Audi was a home-run success as the brand's flagship.

8 2023 Audi RS6 Avant

Top Speed: 190 MPH

Audi's gift to the U.S.A. was the RS6 Avant back just a few years ago in 2020. Fans cheered excitedly to have an RS6 back in the States, and wagons or "Avants" in Audi language had become cool again. Everybody said they wanted one, but a 600-horsepower large luxury wagon turned out to be a bit more expensive than its fans expected.

Performance For 2023 Audi RS6 Avant

Initially, the RS6 Avant was a tough sell in a mid-pandemic market. However, the elegant beast has received more love with drivers putting their money where their mouth is and purchasing the RS6. For those looking for supercar performance but with the practicality and all-weather capability of an Audi, the RS6 Avant is a fantastic one-car solution.

7 2014 Audi RS7 Sportback

Top Speed: 190 MPH

Amidst the war of the high-horsepower turbocharged "hot v" era of the German V-8s (a battle still raging), Audi needed to bring their new V-8 to the table. What a car to do it in. The Audi RS7 Sportback was a car of many firsts for Audi. This car showcased Audi's new take on the "hot v" V-8. It was (and still remains) immensely powerful.

Performance For 2014 Audi RS7 Sportback

It proved wildly successful for Audi as this car was hot on the heels of Mercedes' CLS four-door coupe, a segment they invented a few years prior. The Audi A7 and RS7 variant nailed the proportions and provided more practicality as they offered a hatchback rear glass. Arguably a more beautiful take on the four-door coupe, a format that came with some controversy, it was the RS7 that may have won the world over on the concept.

RELATED: Future Audi Sports Cars and SUVs Will Remain Unmistakably Audi

6 2014 Audi R8 LMX

Top Speed: 199 MPH

The 2014 Audi R8 LMX was known for many things, with speed being one of the most prominent. However, the innovative headlights overshadowed the top speed of almost 200 MPH. The good news is that the driver and the occupants of the Audi can see exceptionally well at night while on the roads, but the people coming from the other direction can be easily blinded by the LED low beams or the laser bright high beams.

Performance For 2014 Audi R8 LMX

Thankfully, the engineers at Audi thought about that problem, unlike many automakers that only considered the occupants within the car. To prevent accidents on the road due to overpowering headlights to oncoming traffic, they installed sensors to pick up on traffic coming towards the vehicle, causing the system to adjust the light pattern away from the oncoming traffic and continue to shift as the vehicle gets closer. Something all cars should have installed to improve the safety of night driving.

5 2017 Audi R8 Spyder

Top Speed: 199 MPH

To many, the 2017 Audi R8 Spyder is known as a supercar. To others, it is still a sports car because it has yet to break the 200 MPH top speed barrier, but either way, it is one of the quickest Audi cars in production. Since a supercar is basically a high-performance sports car, it still belongs on this list. The V-10 under the hood may seem a little out of place since the R8 Spyder is a convertible top, which means it is meant to be a social center of attention.

Performance For 2017 Audi R8 Spyder

Even though the car is great in traffic and is meant to be driven daily, the Audi R8 Spyder is at its best performance when the gas pedal is unobstructed by droves of traffic. The faster the car travels and the higher the RPMs are as they approach the top of the 8,500 redline curve, the better the car drives. The Spyder is an Audi by nature but a track car at heart.

4 2019 Audi R8

Top Speed: 201 MPH

The 2019 Audi R8 is still offered up with the naturally aspirated V-10, and for 2019 it was offered in two distinct variations. Both provide different horsepower, torque ratings, and top speed numbers. The base-level engine was slightly smaller than the performance edition model listed, only pushing out about 562 horsepower, allowing it to push from 0 to 60 in just over three seconds.

Performance For 2019 Audi R8

The performance edition 2019 Audi R8 was stated by Audi to have a top speed of 201 MPH, but some sites have the car achieving top speeds of up to 207 MPH. Since Audi is not claiming that high for a top-end speed, we will continue to go with 201 MPH until some more evidence comes in. But what it all boils down to is that this car is fast, and when let loose on an open track, it can give you the thrill of a lifetime.

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3 2023 Audi R8 GT

Top Speed: 204 MPH

Its recipe may be long in the tooth by now, but there's no denying the R8 is still competitive in today's myriad of supercars running around. For 2023 the R8 has gone rear-wheel-drive. In its final year, the R8 gets a send-off worthy of its wild reputation. Audi has dialed everything up for this final edition. This 602 horsepower model is a rear-wheel-drive-only variant.

Performance For 2023 Audi R8 GT

It gets a revised DCT programming for quicker shifts with shorter gears for stronger acceleration on both ends, forged wheels, and lightweight carbon additions such as new antiroll bars. Some markets get adjustable dampers, while the U.S. makes do with a static setup. There are also some aero additions, such as the new carbon wing and front canards. Audi is building only 333 of the R8 GT.

2 2020 Audi R8 Performance

Top Speed: 204 MPH

The 2020 Audi R8 Performance model has the same basic foundation as the base model Audi R8, except for a few changes that made a difference to performance. The upgraded version of the car has a top speed of three to four MPH higher, and the adjustable suspension has been swapped out for a fixed sport-tuned suspension. The final change that the engineers at Audi completed to the R8 with the performance package was to remove the ceramic brakes and install carbon-ceramic rotors with six-piston calipers.

Performance For 2020 Audi R8 Performance

The car is tuned so well that if you want to really hear the engine at work (or play), you have to get the RPM curve up close to its redline point, which is 8,500 RPM. Once you have the engine there, the V-10 will leap into action and make you forget that you are in the cockpit of one of the most luxurious sports cars on the planet. A sports car with attitude, speed, and all the makings of a fun night on the town.

1 2019 Audi R8 Decennium

Top Speed: 206 MPH

The anniversary edition of the R8 is a special edition car that Audi produced in limited numbers, right around 222 cars. The decade-long run for the R8 of using the 5.2-liter V-10 had been successful for the carmaker and people like you who love sitting behind the wheel of the cars with it under the hood. Because of that, Audi gave you all a chance at an R8 Decennium that came with the upgraded version of the V-10, along with grey matte paint, a front spoiler, a rear diffuser, and Decennium badging.

Performance For 2019 Audi R8 Decennium

If the standard car was too dark or drab for you, there were other options to consider, but they all were designed to match in a way that celebrated their tenth anniversary. Maybe when 2029 hits, the world will see another Audi R8 anniversary edition, only designed with an all-electric drivetrain and speed untouched by any of the current cars on the market today.