Audi RS2 Avant (1995) driving report: Famous letters

The power estate once rolled off the production line at Porsche and is now turning 30

Audi Avant RS 2 (1995) driving report

By: Roland Hildebrandt

Published by: Brian Potter

Nov 10, 2024 at 3:50am ET

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You know when you accidentally mix up names? Some cars don't always make it easy either. Like this one: Audi RS2 Avant? Audi 80 Avant RS2? Audi Avant RS 2? Neither. The official name on the sports estate's badge is "Audi Avant RS2". That's how Audi itself communicates it - they should know, after all, they launched the model themselves 30 years ago.

Flashback: In 1994, the first customers were able to pick up the high-performance estate, developed in co-operation with Porsche on the basis of the Audi Avant S2, from their Audi dealer; the year before, it had already been on show at the IAA in Frankfurt. Modifications to the engine control unit, turbocharger and intercooler as well as an optimised exhaust system increased the engine output of the 2.2-litre five-cylinder engine to 315 PS.

Gallery: Audi RS 2 Avant (1995) driving report

Audi RS 2 Avant (1995) in the driving report

Source: Motor1.com Deutschland | F. Grass

A real statement at the time as every Porsche 911 without a turbo was weaker, a Ferrari 348 hardly more powerful despite the V8, and neither offered space for four people plus luggage. Resourceful marketing experts would probably hail the Audi Avant RS2 as a "Shooting Brake" today. The Avant RS2, which cost just under DM 100,000, rolled off the production line at Porsche in Zuffenhausen from 1994, albeit in a production network with the Audi plant in Ingolstadt. Porsche AG also supplied parts such as brakes and wheels as a development and production partner. 911 connoisseurs can identify both at first glance.

An Audi with Porsche pep

The body is largely identical to that of the Audi 80 Avant, but the co-operation with Porsche has also brought a few changes. For example, the entire exterior design has been modified in line with the Porsche 911 964/993 series. The exterior mirrors (Porsche 964/993), indicator units (993) and 17-inch rims (964) are original Porsche parts from these model series, and the RS2 also has modified front and rear bumpers.

At the front, the air intakes in the bumper are divided into three sections in the style of the Porsche 993 Carrera 4S/Turbo in order to cool the intercooler and the front brakes. In contrast to the standard Avant, the rear number plate is offset downwards in the rear bumper, but there is a panel in the tailgate that makes the rear lights appear as a strip. This is also a design reference to the 964/993 model series.

Audi Avant RS2 (1995) driving report

In addition, the 4.48 metre long Avant RS2 can be recognised by the RS2 emblems with small Porsche lettering in the black-painted bonnet grille and on the tailgate, the red-painted brake callipers of the Porsche brake system feature white Porsche lettering, and my test car with the blatant zeitgeist colour "cliff green". Ultimately, this has been retained in today's RS models: Even an RS 6 is "just" a widened A6 Avant with considerably more potency.

Discreet steam hammer

Speaking of power, the five-cylinder turbo takes the Avant RS2 from standstill to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 163 mph. Nowadays, many electric cars accelerate faster, but it's not comparable with an old Audi five-cylinder engine.

Before I start the fast estate, I take a seat in the cockpit. Much is familiar, because it's an Audi 80 and of top quality, but a little wood and sports seats with Alcantara add some glamour to the cabin. My eyes are drawn to the white-coloured instruments with their very untypical Audi design. The speedometer reaches up to 300, the red area of the rev counter is at 7,000 rpm. Okay, this isn't Uncle Rainer's TDI.

Audi Avant RS2 (1995) driving report

"Sleeper" is the name given to such inconspicuous cars, but in fact are actually very lively. And that fits the Audi Avant RS2 pretty well. You can already hear the great five-cylinder sound in the lower rev range, but not much is happening in terms of driving dynamics. Well, you soon notice the great steering and the excellent suspension, as well as the powerful brakes (Porsche!).

No, you won't find the brute warp acceleration of modern electric cars here, fortunately. The 2.2-litre turbo revs upwards with a melodious sound. However, with a cave-like hole in which the turbo bear resides. Only from 4,000 rpm does the bear roar and the music starts to play. There they are, the 315 PS! At 6,500 rpm, by the way, the 400 Newton metres of maximum torque are already available from 2,800 rpm.

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Only just under 3,000 units

At last you feel like Mr Hurley Haywood and Mr Hans Stuck in their Audi 90 IMSA-GTO, waiting for the next bend. The mighty IMSA-GTO also had a 2.2-litre turbo under the bonnet, but with 720 PS. No matter! Thanks to the all-wheel drive (self-locking Torsen centre differential at the front and lockable rear axle diff), the Avant RS2 pulls round corners regardless of its driver's talent.

Audi Avant RS2 (1995) driving report

And more drivers than expected appreciated the top-of-the-range Avant at the time. In two years of production, a total of 2,908 Avant RS2s were built instead of the planned 2,200, establishing the tradition of the RS high-performance models. When the RS2 was discontinued in 1995, the Audi A4 already reigned supreme. But that, including the first RS 4, is another story.