Audi’s racing heritage defines the next generation of performance vehicles
Built for Formula One, the Audi R26 was the main attraction at Audi Haus during the Canadian International Auto Show, showcasing the brand’s racing legacy and new era of innovation.
SUPPLIED
When Audi made its historic Formula One World Championship debut this year, it was a nod to the brand’s storied motorsport history and to its new era of innovation – on and off the racetrack.
The Audi R26, created specifically for F1, features a drivetrain with a highly efficient 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engine, delivering 350 kilowatts of electric power (470 horsepower).
That innovation is rooted in Audi’s racing history, which began in 1980 with the introduction of the Quattro – a pioneering rally car that transformed motorsport. Audi has continued to push boundaries, from the introduction of its TFSI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) engine technology to the RS Q e-tron, a revolutionary electrified rally car.
“Together, these milestones continue to shape Audi’s progressive lineup in Canada,” says Felix Enciso Valido, head of product strategy at Audi Canada. “That same performance DNA now informs everything from design to driving dynamics across the latest Audi models, with affirmation that this motorsport legacy remains embedded in projects like Formula One and other models that continue to shape the innovation for the four rings.”
At the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Audi offered a close-up look at its spirit of “Vorsprung durch Technik” – progress through technology. Visitors explored Audi Haus, an immersive space that showcased the brand’s innovation in both race and road cars.
The Audi R26 features a drivetrain with a highly efficient 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engine, delivering 350 kilowatts of electric power (470 horsepower).SUPPLIED
“Audi Haus brought the brand’s story to life,” Enciso Valido says. “The centerpiece – the Canadian unveiling of the R26 Formula One concept – anchored the space in Audi’s motorsport future while reinforcing its performance heritage.”
Also featured were the agile RS 3 and some of Audi’s most aerodynamic models, the all-new A6 and S6 e-tron. “These models underscore how Audi brings together heritage-inspired performance for drivers seeking both innovation and authenticity,” Enciso Valido says.
Visitors to Audi Haus also saw the brand’s commitment to all-weather performance firsthand. Audi highlighted its quattro all-wheel drive technology through its SUV display, showcasing enhanced control and confidence in winter driving conditions.
Another highlight was the all-new Audi Q3, which gave guests a first look at Audi’s next generation of road-car design and technology.
“The all-new 2026 Audi Q3 exemplifies Audi’s commitment to progress through technology with a bold redesign built on a re-engineered platform, elevated connectivity, advanced technology features and standard quattro all-wheel drive,” Enciso Valido says. “Its modernized proportions, sharpened surfaces and confident stance signal a new era for the subcompact SUV.”
The all-new 2026 Audi Q3 is fully redesigned to give drivers a more responsive, agile and premium experience.SUPPLIED
The next-generation Q3 displays meaningful gains in power, with a 255-horsepower turbocharged engine (an increase of 27 hp) that delivers smooth power and responsiveness. The Q3 accelerates from zero to 100 kilometres an hour in just 5.9 seconds.
The first redesign of the Q3 in seven years also elevates the visual and functional experience with Matrix LED headlights and OLED taillights with up to four distinctive signatures.
A 12.8” MMI panoramic display further elevates the driving experience, making navigation, vehicle information and entertainment clearer than ever. The all-new Q3 also has 55 more litres of cargo capacity compared with the previous generation.
Canadian Q3 drivers will benefit from enhanced driving dynamics, exceptional maneuverability, improved suspension tuning, precise steering and selectable drive modes.
The result, Enciso Valido says, is a more responsive, agile and premium on-road feel that balances luxury refinement with practicality. Not only does the all-new Q3 push the boundaries of design and technology, it is also ideally suited to Canada’s diverse driving conditions.
“The upgrades make the all-new Q3 more intelligent, more dynamic and unmistakably more Audi,” he says. “Ultimately, it brings progressive innovation to a subcompact SUV tailored for the Canadian market.
For more information on Audi’s latest models, visit audi.ca.
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Audi. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.