AUDI recently launched its RS5 cabriolet at Desmond Gutzeit’s mad, tight track in Port Shepstone.

BMW uses an “M” to show which of its cars is faster than the rest. Merc warns with “AMG” that this car is not for the bowls club. On an Audi, the letter R hints that all the vital parts, from the shocks to the valves, have been tuned to perform faster.

In comparison with the long histories of the other two Germans, Audi is the newbie in the go-faster arena. Audi only started tuning its performance models in 1983. And as we have come to expect from Audi in SA, the first performance model was aimed at “Audi dad”, in the form of its blue station wagon.

That boxy, long RS Avant did not frighten the competition in 1994. But the four-wheel grip on the Torsen-hearted quattro system and the acceleration from a Porsche five-cylinder engine had every red-blooded dad sitting up and taking notice.

Around the hair-raising hair bends at Dezzi’s, the RS5 cabrio did everything as expected. This is not just a safe car for slippery roads, but a fast one around corners, if you do the late-braking bit right. (Watch the Aurasma video to see how this is done.)

Weekend Witness asked Sameerah Bhabha what makes Audis so desirable from a woman’s perspective. She said it is the understated design and performance.

She has to say so, for she is the press and public-relations manager at Audi, but the three middle-aged blokes who present Top Gear, and are not paid by Audi, agree. The trio has now repeatedly agreed that if you want a performance car to win around a track, get an M5. But if you want a performance car to also drive home in, choose an Audi with an R on its tail. The suspension of the Merc and Beemers are just too hard for everyday use.

At the launch of the Audi RS5 cabriolet, Bhabha said SA will soon be able to choose from seven RS models in SA. Audi plans to introduce the RS 7 Sportback and the RS Q3 before year end, she confirmed.

By comparison, Mercedes-Benz offers 17 AMG models and BMW eight M models. Audi also sells three times fewer go-faster cars than its competitors, which could translate in Audi dad feeling three times more exclusive in his R-car.

Bhabha said a constant 700 Nm from 1 750 rpm lets the RS7 Sportpack move in less than four seconds from 0-100 km/h, while the RS Q3 SUV has a frugal 2,5-litre, five-cylinder turbo, which has thrice been named international engine of the year. Audi claims it used 8,8 l/100 km (11 km/l) in a combined cycle.

• alwyn.viljoen@witness,co.za

• RS4 Avant: R893 000

• RS5 coupé: R926 000

• RS5 cabrio: R986 000

• Audi TT RS coupé: R748 000

• Audi TT RS Roadster: R783 500

Above prices include all taxes and a standard five-year/100 000 km Audi Freeway Plan.