The Audi RS2 Avant is a high-performance estate built from March 1994 to July 1995. It was developed and assembled by Porsche on the basis of the Audi 80 Avant, used the most powerful version of Audi’s turbocharged five-cylinder engine, and became the first Audi RS model.
Audi RS2 Avant at a glance
| Built | March 1994 – July 1995 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Porsche, Zuffenhausen (Rössle-Bau) |
| Base | Audi 80 Avant, B4 platform |
| Engine | 2,226 cc five-cylinder 20V turbo |
| Power | 315 PS at 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 410 Nm at 3,000 rpm |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.8 seconds |
| Top speed | 262 km/h |
| Gearbox | six-speed manual |
| Weight | over 1,600 kg |
| Production | 2,891 cars |
| Price | 98,900 DM in Germany |
History of the Audi RS2 Avant
An Audi built by Porsche
The RS2 was a joint project of Audi and Porsche, based on the Audi 80 Avant and known internally as P1. Porsche had just finished building the Mercedes-Benz 500E at its Rössle-Bau plant in Zuffenhausen, where the Porsche 959 had also been made, and it developed the RS2 and assembled the car there. The engine was Audi’s 2,226 cc turbocharged five-cylinder, reworked by Porsche with a larger turbocharger, a bigger intercooler, different camshafts and injectors, a free-flowing exhaust and a modified Bosch ECU; boost rose from 1.1 to 1.4 bar. It produced 315 PS at 6,500 rpm and 410 Nm at 3,000 rpm.
Chassis and body
The six-speed manual gearbox and quattro permanent four-wheel drive with a Torsen centre differential were the only drivetrain. Porsche also supplied the brakes and suspension: the car sat 40 mm lower than a standard 80 Avant, used 17-inch Porsche Cup wheels with 245/40 ZR17 tyres, and had Brembo four-piston calipers with 304 mm front and 299 mm rear discs. The mirrors came from the Porsche 964/993 and the wheels from the 964, and the PORSCHE name was part of the RS2 badge. Inside there were Recaro sports seats and, as in the 80, the procon-ten safety system.
Production and legacy
Audi planned about 2,200 cars but built 2,891, of which only 180 were right-hand drive. The RS2 was the first RS model and the first of Audi’s high-performance Avants; German Wikipedia credits it with creating the fast estate class that Audi still builds on. Only a handful of saloons were confirmed, and the production car was sold as an Avant.
Design and features
- Porsche engineering: developed and assembled by Porsche in Zuffenhausen.
- More powerful five: 315 PS and 410 Nm from the 2,226 cc 20-valve turbo.
- Porsche brakes and wheels: Brembo calipers, 17-inch Cup wheels, a 40 mm lower ride.
- Porsche styling details: 964/993 mirrors, 964 wheels and PORSCHE lettering in the badge.
- Estate only: the RS2 was sold as an Avant.
Audi RS2 Avant versions
- RS2 Avant: the production model, 2,891 cars.
- RS2 saloon: four cars confirmed, one in the Audi museum.
- RS2 with the modified brakes: optional 322 mm front discs under 17-inch wheels.
The RS2 is based on the Audi 80 Avant and sits above the Audi S2. More fast Audis are in our Audi collection.
Video: Audi RS2
Video by scheud88 on YouTube.
Sources
- Audi RS 2 Avant, English Wikipedia: engine, performance, chassis, brakes and production
- Audi Avant RS2, German Wikipedia: Porsche cooperation, body, interior, price and production
- Audi RS2, Italian Wikipedia: engine modifications, brakes and the saloon prototype
