Top 10 Performance AUDIs: 4) Avant RS 2 (1994-1995)

Avant RS 2 (1994-1995)

Yes, to be correct in our terminology we’ve referred to it as  the Avant RS 2, the name under which this Audi-Porsche hybrid  was launched at the frankfurt Show in September 1993. With the 20-valve turbo-engined S2 coming to the end of its life, Audi  collaborated with Porsche engineers to develop an ultra-high-performance model, combining the S2 Avant bodyshell built at Ingolstadt with the modified chassis, engine and brakes that had been developed by Porsche, with final assembly carried out at the Porsche factory at Zuffenhausen. With a deeper front spoiler and revised rear bodywork, along with Porsche mirrors, the RS 2 was further enhanced with bigger Brembo brakes and 7.0 x 17-inch Porsche Cup alloy wheels from the 968 Clubsport,  fitted with 245/40 R17 Dunlop SP8000 tyres, while the suspension was uprated with Bilstein springs and dampers and thicker (28 /16 mm)  anti-roll bars front and rear. But the piece de resistance was under the bonnet, where Porsche  had re-engineered the 2226 cc 20-valve turbocharged five-cylinder inline engine to produce 315 PS, instead of the 230 of the 1992 ABY S2. This power increase was mostly achieved by a larger turbocharger, running  at higher boost, also accompanied by revised inlet and exhaust manifolds, a 911 fuel pump, bigger injectors and uprated camshafts. Maximum torque increased from 350 Nm at 1950 rpm to 410 Nm at 3000 rpm, which meant that the extra performance was felt with quite a substantial punch in the mid-range. What some might call turbo lag was reported by road-testers as ‘acceleration that was shockingly quick once the engine started to pull!’ In conjunction with a 6-speed manual gearbox and Torsen diff fourwheel drive, its performance was startlingly quick for such a large fourdoor estate car, with acceleration from a standing start to 60 mph in  5.1 seconds and a top speed of 163 mph. Typical fuel consumption was  22 mpg overall, with 28-30 mpg achievable only on a steady cruising run. Originally, there were no plans to build right-hand-drive examples but following the reaction to the Avant RS 2 at the 1993 London Motor Show Audi sanctioned the production of 180 RHD examples for the UK, priced at £45,705, with records showing that there may well have been more than 200 registered here in the UK, including some private LHD imports. The specification included air-conditioning, driver airbag, Recaro front seats, electric windows front and rear, white-faced instruments and a CD autochanger. Standard upholstery was Nappa leather, with Alcantara in conjunction with leather bolsters as an option. There was never an official production Saloon version of the RS 2,  although Audi built two examples for internal use, and there are inevitably some unofficial conversions.