Audi RS 2 Avant

The Audi RS 2 Avant is a high-performance version of the Audi 80 Avant estate car, manufactured from March 1994 to July 1995. Collaboratively designed as a joint venture between Audi AG and Porsche and based on Audi's B4/8C platform, it received the internal designation of P1. It featured the most powerful version of Audi's inline-five cylinder turbocharged engine. It represents Audi's first "RS" model, and the first of their high-performance Avants.

It is a limited-edition model that was not widely exported outside of Europe, except in limited quantity to Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil, and New Zealand. However, the RS 2 has amassed a cult following worldwide including Canada and the United States where the RS 2 was not officially imported due to certification costs and weak brand performance in the early 1990s. RS 2s have now been imported to Canada and USA as both allow non-conforming vehicles to be imported once they reach the age of 15 and 25 years respectively.

Overview
The RS 2 was the product of a co-development project between Audi and Porsche, based on Audi's 80 Avant, and built on the Audi B4 platform. It was powered by a modified version of their 2226 cc inline-five DOHC four valves per cylinder (20 valves total) turbocharged petrol engine (parts code prefix: 034, identification code: ADU). This internal combustion engine produced a motive power output of 315 PS at 6500 rpm and 410 Nm at 3000 rpm of torque. Although much of the car's underpinnings were manufactured by Audi, assembly was handled by Porsche at their Rossle-Bau plant in Zuffenhausen, Germany, which had become available after discontinuation of the Mercedes-Benz 500E, which Porsche had manufactured there under contract. The Rossle-Bau plant also produced the famous Porsche 959.

Like the rest of the vehicle, the RS 2's five-cylinder engine was based on a unit that Audi already produced, although Porsche considerably modified the engine; the standard KK&K turbocharger was switched for a larger unit, along with a heavy-duty intercooler and higher flow fuel injectors, a newly designed camshaft, a more efficient induction system, and a low-pressure exhaust system replaced the standard fare; a specially modified URS4/URS6 Bosch-supplied engine control unit (ECU) controlled the engine.

With so much power available, the RS 2 could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, and achieve a maximum speed of 262 km/h (electronically restricted), despite weighing over 1600 kg. In a road test conducted in 1995, British car magazine Autocar timed the RS 2 from 0 to 30 mph at just 1.5 seconds, which they confirmed was faster than the McLaren F1 road car. Even by more modern standards, its performance is exceptional; it could accelerate on-par with the 5th generation Chevrolet Corvette (C5) and a 996 generation Porsche 911.

A six-speed manual gearbox (parts code prefix: 01E, identification code: CRB) (gear ratios - 1st: 3.500, 2nd: 1.889, 3rd: 1.320, 4th: 1.034, 5th: 0.857, 6th: 0.711) was the only transmission choice. Audi's Torsen-based 'trademark' quattro permanent four-wheel drive system was standard. Front and rear final drive units contained a conventional 'open' differential, and have a ratio of 4.111, although the rear (parts code prefix: 01H, identification code: AZE) also has an electro-mechanical diff lock.

Porsche-designed braking and suspension systems replaced the standard Audi 80 equipment, however, the Bosch Anti-lock braking system (ABS) was retained. The front brakes feature either 304 mm in diameter by 32 mm thick radially ventilated disc brakes, and use Brembo four-opposed piston fixed calipers, or a 'modified' option of larger discs (which will only fit under a 17" wheel) of 322 mm by 32 mm, with uprated brake pads. The rears featured 299 mm by 24 mm radially vented discs, again with Brembo four-piston calipers, and the 'modified' option included identical sized discs, but merely included cross-drilling, along with uprated pads. The hand brake worked on the rears, and consisted of a cable operated 'drum in disc' system.

40 mm lower than a standard 80 Avant, the suspension and braking upgrades combined to give the RS 2 the handling and braking capabilities of a high-end sports car; 7.0Jx17 inch Porsche 'Cup' wheels, and high-performance 245/40 ZR17 Dunlop tyres were standard as well. In fact, the braking system wore Porsche-badged Brembo calipers, and both the wheels and side mirrors were identical in design to those of the 964 Turbo. Additionally, the word "PORSCHE" is inscribed in the RS 2 emblem affixed to the rear tailgate and front grille.

A three-spoke leather steering wheel, Recaro sports-bucket seats (available in full leather or a leather/suede combination), and console materials in either wood or carbon fiber trim rounded out the vehicle's interior changes. Audi's proprietary Safety Restraint System, procon-ten remained from its donor vehicle.

Audi also produced an S2, which was available both as an Avant (estate) and a Coupé, as well as saloon model with only 306 examples built. It featured a similar turbocharged 2226 cm3 five-cylinder engine which delivered 162 kW (3B engine), or 169 kW (ABY engine).