In 1994, Audi launched its first RS 2 in estate car (avant) form, powered by a 315bhp version of the 2.2-litre, 5-cylinder engine (0-60mph in 4.5s; top speed of 167mph) that had provided the woofling quattro rally cars with their event winning verve. Porsche assembled the cars. An initial run of 2,200 examples soon grew to 2,891, of which a mere 180 were in right-hand-drive form. Production commenced in March 1994 and ended in July 1995. Its current collectible status is assured.
The 380bhp RS 4 Avant arrived in 1999, adding further strength to Audi’s carry-all, practicality proposition. A 2.7-litre, bi-turbo V6 engine, with the cylinder heads designed by Cosworth, provided the grunt. The second generation of RS 4 arrived five years later, this time with a 420bhp V8 beneath its bonnet, still driving all four wheels.
In between times, the RS 6 Avant and also the saloon version arrived in 2002. Initially, its 4.2-litre V8 engine developed 450bhp, although a run-out version of 999 examples produced an even punchier 480bhp. Audi was making its mark. I can recall driving an unrestricted model in Germany at speeds of up to 190mph (it was geared to pull just over 200mph). No car quite felt like an RS 6 Avant. The prospect of transporting a partner, two children and granny to the ski slopes, along with their luggage, was beguiling indeed.
By 2008, the pursuit of power had led to Lamborghini’s 5.0-litre V10 engine being slotted beneath the bonnet of the RS 6. Armed with 580bhp reined-in by the quattro drivetrain and ingenious suspension damping, only the Performance versions of the subsequent 2013 RS 6 and RS 7 developed more potency from their 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo motors (608bhp), which suggests that Audi had reached the zenith.
In 2009, Audi applied the RS magic to the Golf platformed TT coupe and roadster models, recalling memories of the offbeat 5-cylinder 2.5-litre engine, starting with 360bhp but currently 400bhp in the latest iteration of the car. As a lightweight construct, the TT RS is probably one of the most exciting compact cars sold today, its purpose underscored by Porsche 911 beating potential. The RS 5 followed suit, with the RS 3 extending the lineage in 2011.
Since then, right up to this year, only the A1 and Q models have escaped RS attention. While the production quantities have grown, mostly to meet demands, the RS badge has lost none of its cachet. A remarkable 25 different RS models have been introduced over the 25 years of its existence in Audi’s broad range and Ford has never attempted to sue Audi over its use of the RS model name. Audi is continuing to bolster the brand image and six new RSs join the range this year alone.
