Audi->ke14 offers plenty of cool and exciting vehicles in Europe that never make their way to the U.S., but that isn’t going to be the case with the performance-driven Audi RS 3 sedan and the style-minded Audi Q8 SUV. In an interview with Automotive News, Audi of America CEO Scott Keogh seems confident that both of these niche models will eventually go on sale in North America.

The first model to arrive on our shores will be the sedan->ke142 version of the Audi RS 3 that was introduced late last year. In Europe, this 367-horsepower model is only available as the RS 3 Sportback hatchback, but looking to appeal to the sedan-loving U.S. buyers, we will be getting a traditional four-door offering. Keogh said that he is “very confident” that the RS 3 Sedan will be sold here where it will go up against performance cars like the BMW M3 and Cadillac ATS-V. The RS 3 Sedan will join the existing A3 stable that includes the A3 Sedan, A3 Cabriolet, the 292-horsepower S3 Sedan and the sole hatchback of the bunch, the A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid.

As much as the RS 3 will be an exciting new small car, Audi’s growing model lineup will be bookended by the all-new 2018 Audi Q8 SUV->ke145. Derived from the next-gen Q7, the Q8 is expected to have more of a coupe-like profile similar to the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe. Keogh seemed a little more optimistic about the Q8’s chances here as he said this model will “absolutely” make it to the U.S.

Continue reading to learn more about Audi's plans to bring the RS3 and the Q8 to the U.S.

Why it matters

Audi is definitely spreading its lineup into new niches, but the important thing is that these vehicles will be offered in the U.S. With the European RS 3 going on sale this summer, a U.S.-specific sedan model will most likely wait until later this year or early next year, and it sounds like the Q8 will go on sale for the 2017 model year.

Audi RS3 Sedan

Read our full review of the Audi RS3 Sedan here.

Audi Q8

Read our full review of the Audi Q8 here.