Audi scores with sports models

LUCA de Meo, the Audi board of management member for sales and marketing, dropped by the Audi Centre on Friday - the first time he is visiting Singapore since he assumed his current position in late 2012. Asia is a growing market for the German luxury marque, which is already the No 1 premium car brand in Europe and China, and Audi expects a stronger product portfolio and continuing dealer development to take it higher up the sales charts in the region.

Under Mr de Meo, who arrived from Malaysia, Audi has accelerated ahead of Mercedes-Benz globally and is closing in on BMW. For 2015, the sales projection has been raised to 1.7 million cars from the previous target of 1.5 million. The brand with the four rings is aiming for two million cars by 2020. Interestingly, it is the sportier side of Audi that is helping to win over most of its fans. Year-to-date sales of Audi Sport models such as the S, RS and R8 sales have increased by 50 per cent over the same period last year.

And the aim is to develop the premium high-performance wing further, with enhanced S, RS, R8 corners being established in Audi dealerships. The marque has an extensive range of sports models globally. Currently, there are 18 S models covering the bodystyle variants and the just announced TTS Coupe and TTS Roadster, six RS models, and three 3 R8 variants.