2017 Audi R8.
Audi is launching its Sport line in Canada this year, featuring the RS7 and R8 Coupe performance cars.
Audi Canada president Daniel Weissland made the announcement at the Canadian International Auto Show on Thursday during media previews.
Audi presents: Live from the Canadian International Auto Show
The RS7 generates 605 horsepower and moves from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.
The R8 Coupe, equipped with a V-10 engine, generates 540 horsepower to get from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
With the optional V-10 plus, horsepower is boosted to 610, clipping another 0.2 seconds off the 0-100 km/h time.
Prices weren't announced. In the United States, MSRP for the R8 is about $165,000.
Weissland also presented the H-tron in Canada for the first time. The hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle would combine with a battery to offer a range of 600 kilometres before refill, and the refill would be performed in about four minutes.
Presently, hydrogen for cars in Canada is available only in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia – a situation that goes to the point of Audi's presentation, otherwise.
"For those who embrace change, the car industry for years to come is going to be the most exciting industry on this planet," said Martin Sander, vice-president, sales, Audi North America.
There's a staggering one million configuration options with Audi's full lineup, an overwhelming force of information for the beleaguered buyer. That's why Audi is going with digital showrooms, to enable its customers to customize the cars.
This year, Audi announced, Canada will become the first country to equip all of its dealerships with the showrooms.
Moreover, because available options can be activated by software, "every used car can be configured exactly the way the next customer wants it," Sander said.
Sander said in 2016, Audi and other manufacturers remain reliant on combustion engine product, as though it's 2009.
"Sounds boring, right?" he quipped.
The next seven years "will blow away the boredom," he said, with research into technology blossoming into tangible products. The e-Tron Quattro, cited as an example, provides 500 kilometres of range on a single charge, and moves from 0-to-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds.
The advancement of electricity-powered and autonomous vehicles will address consumer global needs, as megacities mushroom. Audi sees the strongest growth in the second strata of cities with populations between one and 10 million.
Imagine, he said, when your self-driven vehicle will pick you up at home, drive you to work, and park itself upon arrival. Meantime, you can prep for the big meeting in the back seat.
"What is one hour of your time worth?" he asked, rhetorically.