German automakers use super-powered subbrands to stay ahead of rivals

There is a battle between Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz that goes beyond unit sales and global expansion. The German automakers are constantly trying to out-engineer one another with their high-performance subbrands. The grand prize for horsepower supremacy, break-neck acceleration and leading-edge technology is a small but affluent group of enthusiast car buyers who will pay a premium for the super-powered cars, many of which are variants of the brands' regular premium cars and SUVs.