Audi RS2 Avant
The Audi RS2 Avant was a short edition, high-performance Audi station van sold from 1994 to 1996. Collaboratively designed by Audi, Porsche and built on Audis eighty Avant, it was actually the company's first "RS" automobile and the first of their high-performance Avants; it employed the strongest and most totally developed version of the organization's turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, and was unequalled in performance among both wagons and 4-doored sedans at the time of its release. Even though it was never exported outside of continental Europe, the RS2 has assembled a magnificent cult following internationally and it's frequently accepted as being the automobile that ultimately forcibly established Audi as a producer of practical hi-performance cars; its wagon body and standard all-wheel-drive system made it useable as a comfortable daily driver even in inclement weather conditions.
History
The RS2 was the product of a co-development project between Audi and Porsche, primarily based on Audi's eighty Avant ( station truck ) and powered by an altered version of their 2.2 litre, 20-valve turbocharged 5-cylinder engine manufacturing 315 PS ( 232 kW ) at 6500 revs per minute. Though a lot of the car's underpinnings were made by Audi, assembly was handled by Porsche at their plant in Zuffenhausen, Germany which had become available after discontinuation of the Mercedes-Benz 500E, which Porsche had made under contract.
Like the remainder of the car, the RS2's 5-cylinder engine was primarily based on a unit that Audi already produced, though Porsche considerablly changed the engine; the stock KKK turbocharger was switched for a larger unit together with an industrial quality intercooler and higher flow fuel injectors, a freshly designed camshaft, a more effective induction system and a low pressure exhaust system replaced the standard fare; a new Bosch-supplied engine management PC controlled the engine. With so much power available, the RS2 could run from zero to 62 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds and achieve a max speed of 163 miles per hour [restricted], regardless of weighing over 1400 kg. In a road test conducted in 1995, UK automobile magazine, Autocar timed the RS2 from zero to thirty miles per hour at only 1.5 seconds, which they confirmed was quicker than both the McLaren F1 road vehicle and also Jacque Villeneuve's Formula one car of that time.
Even by more contemporary standards, its performance is remarkable ; it may accelerate on-par with the C5 generation Chevrolet Corvette and was only a tenth of a second slower to sixty than a 996 generation Porsche 911. Audis Quattro all-wheel-drive system was standard and Porsche-designed braking and suspension systems replaced the standard Audi eighty gear. 1.6 inches ( four cm ) lower than a stock eighty Avant, the suspension and braking upgrades mixed to give the RS2 the handling and braking capacities of a top of the range sports auto ; 17 in. ( 432 mm ) wheels and top -performance 245 / 40ZR17Dunlop tires were standard as well.
In reality the braking system wore Porsche badged Brembo calipers and both the wheels and side mirrors were matching in design to those of the 964 Turbo. In addition, the word "PORSCHE" is etched in the RS2 emblem hitched to the trunk. A 3-spoke leather wheel, Recaro sports-bucket seats (available in full-leather or a leather / suede mix) and console materials in either Wood or Carbon Trim rounded out the vehicle's interior changes. Roughly 2200 RS2s were to be built at first, but due to demand the total was 2891 vehicles built. Of these, only 180 were right hand drive automobiles built for the United Kingdom market. Audi also produced an S2, which was applicable both as a station van and a coupe. It featured a corresponding turbocharged 2.2-liter 5-cylinder engine which delivered 220hp (3B engine) or 230hp (ABY engine).
