Audi RS2: PH Heroes
Quicker than a McLaren F1 to 30mph, this was where the legend of the insanely fast Audi estate began...
Stuttgart’s finest
The RS2 was far from a normal estate. When it was launched it was the fastest car that Audi produced, indeed one of the fastest cars in the world. Although based on the bodyshell of the B3 80 Avant it was as much Porsche as it was Audi, the result of a joint venture between the two companies (who had previously collaborated on the 924.) Porsche was responsible for both engineering and construction, with the RS2 built in Zuffenhausen in the same facility that had been previously been used to build its previous Frankenbeast, the Mercedes 500E.
Suspension and brakes were significantly uprated, with massive (for the time) 322mm front discs fitted to this car. Evidence of Porscheness is everywhere, from the familiar 17-inch Carrera Cup pattern alloys to door mirrors that seem to have been borrowed directly from a 993. There’s another subtle clue on the RS2 badges, which have PORSCHE written on them beneath the Audi rings.
First impressions of this RS2 – which, like the RS4 we borrowed last year, is a member of Audi’s heritage collection – is how tall and straight-edged it looks, how much glass there is and how far inboard the wheels are, giving it a teetering stance when viewed from side-on. This was an era when car designers were expected to make windows big and estates boxy. The interior feels very Spartan compared to more recent Audis, although the RS2 must have been one of the first cars to have carbon (or carbon-effect) trim. The blue Alcantara panels on doors and seats are a bit OTT to modern eyes, but the white instruments look great. But my overwhelming first impression is how high the seating position feels and how good visibility is thanks to that low glassline.
But is it still quick?
It’s soon obvious that the RS2 hails from the era when turbos would send a telegram giving a couple of week’s notice of their intention to deliver boost. You can count a couple of Mississippis between pressing the acceleration and feeling the boost arrive – this isn’t lag so much as laaaaaaaaaaaaag – but once the turbo starts spinning it delivers a shove of acceleration that starts forceful and quickly builds towards violent.
The RS2 is riding on what look to be period SP Sport 8000s, so I hope you’ll understand that I didn’t give it the full Troy Queef; returning it in anything other than immaculate condition would see a hitman dispatched from Ingolstadt with instructions to return with various of my body parts. But I tried hard enough to confirm that the handling balance feels more neutral than that of the B5 RS4. The limits are predictably lower and the front end starts to nudge wide first, but a dose more throttle stabilises things nicely and helps it to scrabble very effectively around a corner.
Steering is low-geared by modern standards but feels good and the brake and throttle pedal are much firmer than the Audi norm – presumably Porsche’s influence. Surprisingly the RS2’s suspension feels much more pliant than that of the concrete-sprung B5 RS4 and it copes impressively well with rougher surfaces on our test route around Gaydon. There’s more wind noise and road roar at motorway speeds than you’d find in a modern car, but the RS2 still feels like a relaxed, long-legged cruiser. I reckon it could easily triple its current mileage in a week without breaking sweat.
The RS2’s usability was its defining trait, but also the limiting factor against its long-term survival. Only 180 right-hookers were built, making this easily the rarest RS model, and many were pretty much run into the ground as they got cheaper. Five years ago you could still pick up hard-used examples for relative peanuts, but these days they rarely hit the market and, when they do, prices have climbed to the extent you’re now looking at an investment rather than a car. At the moment there are none in the classifieds and the only one we can spot in the UK is up for £30,000 and wearing 127,000 miles. If Audi ever sold this one its mileage and condition would probably more than double that.
The relative abundance of left-hookers – a total of 2,700 were made – means that there are many more in Europe, and prices are much lower. A trawl of mobile.de produced several attractive looking specimens with this appealing black-with-black-leather, 108,000-mile example in Germany currently listed for 27,000 euros - £20,000 at current exchange rates.
The RS2 was the start of what became one of Audi’s best-known model characteristics; the naffing-quick estate that could outperform almost anything with two bored kids asking if we’re nearly there yet in the back and a Labrador in the boot. Usually the connection between old and current models separated by several generations feels tangential, more the product of marketing spin than reality, but the RS2 feels obviously related to the most recent RS4, or even the current RS6. This is where it all began.
AUDI RS2
Engine: 2,226cc, 5-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 315@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 302@3,000rpm
0-60mph: 4.8 sec
Top speed: 163mph
Weight: 1,595kg
MPG: c. 21mpg
CO2: N/A
Price new: £45,705 (1994)
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Photos: Tim Brown
Car i wish i'd kept but gained a big double garage out of the move so not so bad.
Always loved these. A proper Audi...amongst the S2, S1 etc. And although all the modern stuff is "better" in a sense, they are just all samey and mundane. The RS2 is just special!!
My parents had an 80 saloon whilst I was growing up so seeing one of these in Nogaro Blue with the red strip across the rear and the big wheels and grilles I absolutely bloody loved it.
Definitely one for the 10 car garage.
Proper old school driving though, with crazy boost threshold and not much in the way of dynamics. Point, wind up, go. Used to get a fair few people asking me about it, usually "is it a real one?"
RHD cars tended to be lower spec from what I saw at the time ie no climate, inferior brakes. Also like a lot of German cars the LHD version is just better, after all it's the original format.
I don't miss the RS size bills however.
That said I reckon I could have just about broken even in appreciation vs expenditure if I'd kept it given the insane money they go for these days. Paid 8750 for mine and traded it in for 8 after spending 3 grand or so bringing it upto scratch.
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