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Within the Nineties, two German giants collaborated to construct a automotive that I nonetheless can’t imagine exists. The Audi RS2 Avant – a station wagon constructed as a collaboration between Audi and Porsche – was designed with one objective in thoughts: to be the last word sleeper automotive.
It even dared to outrun the world’s best supercar, the legendary McLaren F1. Fact be instructed, it solely outperformed the F1 from 0 to 30 mph — however beating the quickest automotive on the planet at something is worthy of celebration. On prime of this, the Audi RS2 was Audi’s very first RS automotive, paving the way in which for a efficiency model that’s nonetheless round to this present day.
Through the Nineteen Eighties, Audi dominated the rally scene with the insane Audi Quattro. Attributable to homologation guidelines — a algorithm to permit us peasants to get pleasure from race automotive know-how — their street automobiles obtained the identical all-wheel-drive system and five-cylinder engine. I like to think about it because the Quattro’s efficiency DNA swimming by means of the gene pool of the remainder of Audi’s lineup, and the right instance thereof is the Audi RS2 Avant.
Lots Of Energy For Its Time
Again within the day, the RS2 would outrun nearly the whole lot on the street, leaving different drivers with dropped jaws, questioning how they didn’t sustain with a automotive that could possibly be described utilizing phrases corresponding to “neat” and “sensible.”
Underneath its hood, there was a 2.2-liter turbocharged inline-five mill that Porsche had tinkered with. Porsche put in a hilariously massive turbocharger, a brand-spanking-new camshaft, extra environment friendly gas injectors, a extra sturdy intercooler, a extra environment friendly induction system, and a brand new ECU, amongst different issues.
This resulted in 311 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. Have in mind, this was throughout a time when the V8-powered Ferrari F355 had solely 70 hp extra at its disposal. Let me repeat that: an unique supercar had simply 70 extra ponies than this five-door station wagon.
Porsche didn’t simply modify the engine. They went all in and fitted four-piston Brembo brakes at every nook, upgraded suspension parts, together with wheels and mirrors similar to those discovered on the Porsche 964 Turbo. Porsche performed a serious half within the RS2 Avant’s existence, which is why there are Porsche badges scattered throughout the wagon, corresponding to on the entrance grille, rear hatch, and the brakes, as in the event that they left their stamp of approval.
Due to Audi’s impeccable Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the RS2 Avant accelerated prefer it had a rocket strapped to its behind. The headline efficiency determine was its 0 to 30 mph which was recorded at merely 1.5 seconds — marginally faster than the McLaren F1, which did it in 1.7 seconds. After that, the McLaren wiped the ground with the RS2.
Nonetheless, the mere proven fact that the common-or-garden Audi managed to compete with the F1 was nearly unbelievable. Prior to now, automobiles from such totally different segments would by no means be talked about in the identical breath.
The Porsche-tuned Audi wagon reached 60 mph from a standstill in simply 4.8 seconds, outrunning automobiles such because the Ferrari Testarossa, BMW E46 M3, and Porsche 930 Turbo within the course of. It additionally topped out at 163 mph, making it the primary Audi to smash by means of the 155 mph barrier.
The Audi RS2 Avant was the right instance of a four-wheeled Jekyll and Hyde. It packed a punch and had greater than sufficient room to accommodate the entire household and their baggage for a visit throughout the nation, or a whole month’s price of groceries (or a few our bodies).
How A lot To Purchase One?
Fewer than 3,000 models of the Audi RS2 have been ever made between 1994 and 1995, of which solely 180 have been right-hand drive. It pioneered the quick wagon, was the very first RS automotive, and is likely one of the coolest testimonials to showcase carmakers can work collectively to create a bespoke murals.
Due to that, it’s no marvel that the Audi RS2 has turn out to be extremely sought-after by collectors globally. Traditional.com says that the typical Audi RS2 Avant sells for round $65,000. Under no circumstances is it an attainable traditional automotive, however it’s fairly tempting, contemplating you should purchase two of them for a similar worth as a brand-new Audi RS6 Avant. I do know which choice I might select.
