IT’S never been a better time for fast car lovers in Australia, with manufacturers beginning to give us special treatment due to such a high demand for performance cars.

The first of those is Audi, who just launched their Audi Sport brand in Australia before any other country in the world, including its home nation of Germany.

The company’s hoping to capitalise on the premium sports market, a segment that saw double digit percentage growth in 2014.

Audi’s R8 and RS line will be included under the new branding, which combined with their S-line of cars make up more than 15 per cent of Audi’s sales in Australia.

The idea behind it all is to create a cult-like following behind a single performance brand, much like BMW has with its M division and Mercedes does with AMG. It’ll even have its own merchandise for the diehards to buy.

Like its German competitors, each car with an R or RS badge is the best Audi can offer in that line, with brutally powerful engines, coupled with big brakes and sports suspension.

Headlining the line-up is the 2016 R8 supercar, which shares an engine and chassis with the Lamborghini Huracan, while at the bottom will be the $79k RS3 hot hatch which will go up against Mercedes’ excellent A45 AMG.

By the end of the year, 15 dealerships across the country will feature special Audi Sport corners, with merchandise, display models and expert sales staff dedicated to everything Audi Sport.

Five-time LeMans winner, racing driver Emanuele Pirro told media at Phillip Island that, “the Audi Sport brand has evolved into something very exciting, with a rich history of motorsport success and a diverse range of emotional sports cars.”

It’s going to be steep competition for Audi Sport in the local market, with Mercedes’ AMG currently dominating the premium performance market, and with the recent release of their new C63 model it’s hard to see it losing its spot any time soon.