Audi cars are an iconic brand for all sorts of different reasons, and the company has a long and rich history stretching back almost a century in one form or another.

Although Audis may not be the first type of car that will typically come to mind when you think of “speed,” there have been plenty of quick Audis that have hit the market over the years – and some of them have even become niche cultural sensations of one type or another.

For example, the phrase “Fire Up The Quattro” became a catchphrase of the popular British crime show "Ashes to Ashes" – and was even used in political advertising and various other publicity capacities as a result of it.

Of course, it’s important to keep your speed in check and – if need be – to know how to fight a traffic ticket. That being said, it’s always nice to have a car that can go fast.

Here’s a selection of some of the fastest Audi cars on the market...

2014 Audi R8 Competition

Though the 2014 Audi R8 Competition isn’t brand-new anymore, it remains one of the fastest cars Audi has ever made, plus it has a beautifully sleek body.

With a 5.2 liter naturally aspirated V10 engine, providing 570 hp, this car is capable of reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. That’s fast by any standard.

2019 Audi RS3

The 2019 Audi RS3 is not the fastest Audi out there, but it is fast nonetheless – while also having the added benefit of being one of Audi’s cheapest performance cars, and also one of the smallest.

With a 2.5 L turbocharged five-cylinder engine, 400hp, and 354 lb-ft of torque, this car can get you from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds without breaking the bank.

If you are looking for the perfect speedy Audi on a moderate budget, the RS3 may be just right for you.

2019 Audi R8 V10 Performance

The 2019 Audi R8 V10 Performance is new, sleek, shiny, and exactly as speedy as the R8 Competition.

Well, at least it’s “exactly as speedy” on paper. The reality is that this car is known to be able to go much faster than that when actually put to the test – making this perhaps the fastest Audi currently out there.

The 2019 Audi R8 V10 Performance is consistently able to reach 60 mph in under three seconds. Audi’s factory time is notoriously conservative – which means that this car is likely in a category entirely its own when push comes to shove.

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback

The 2020 Audi RS7 Sportback uses an all-new 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, providing 591 hp and 59 lb-ft of torque.

The car is reliably able to get to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, while also being one of the most contemporary Audis on the market while also boasting a luxurious and high-tech interior.