A Brief History Of Audi’s Top Performance Models

By Author: autotool yuanyin
Total Articles: 21
Comment this article

On the occasion of our first drive of the new Audi RS4 Avant, we take a look back on Audi’s RS range and how it has developed. RS, as you may know, stands for Rennsport, German for “racing sport”; these two letters have been the domain of Audi’s Quattro GmbH since the first RS4. Here are the cars they’ve been applied to, and a look at what’s next.

The RS2 Avant was a crazy variation of the Audi 80–based S2, which itself was offered first as a coupe with subsequent sedan and Avant derivatives. The RS wagon was co-developed with Porsche and actually equipped with the 993-generation 911′s turn signals, fog lights, wheels, and exterior mirrors; the taillights were connected with a horizontal bar for a look reminiscent of the 993’s rear. Power came from an extremely high-output version of Audi’s turbocharged 2.2-liter straight-five making 315 hp hooked to a six-speed manual. The RS2 Avant reached an ungoverned 163 mph, thus breaking the German industry’s voluntary agreement to govern top speeds at 155 mph. But the agreement didn’t apply to Porsche, so it could be argued that it only partly applied ...
... to the RS2. Audi built a handful of RS2 sedans, but only the Avant was officially offered for sale.

When Audi changed the name of its mid-size series from 80 to A4, the S and RS derivatives followed suit, thus the successor of the RS2 Avant became the RS4 Avant. Power came from a 380-hp, twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 based on the S4 engine and tuned by Cosworth; the power increase was not easy to achieve because of the additional cooling needed. Aside from the engine work, this was Audi’s own project; no more Porsche involvement here. The look was extreme, with a wider body. Aluminum mirror caps, now a trademark of S and RS cars, made their first appearance here. Top speed was governed at 155 mph; a six-speed manual was the only transmission offered.

Audi took the RS concept one step further and launched the A6-based RS6 sedan and Avant. The body was widened, the aluminum mirror caps present again, and the exhaust set the style for RS models to come: two large oval pipes, one on either side of the rear fascia. While the Avant became especially popular, the sedan was even more striking—its wide fenders went well with the unusual notchback profile. Power came from a twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V-8 good for 450 hp, channeled to the wheels through a five-speed automatic; top speed was a governed 155 mph. Late in the cycle, an RS6 plus Avant became available, with 480 hp and a raised speed limiter that enabled drivers to reach 174 mph. Goodbye again, “voluntary agreement.” The first RS6 was loud and aggressive, providing inspiration for the upcoming C7 RS6: Audi engineers say the next car will become “more like the C5 again.”

Audi’s Quattro GmbH skipped the B6-generation A4 altogether, but created an RS4 based on the B7, which was not much more than a big face lift of the B6. The strategy also changed: This was the first RS model not to be turbocharged. Doing so helped Audi eliminate the extreme warranty cost incurred by customers who modified their turbos. And—much more important—this marvel of an engine, a 4.2-liter V-8 developed by Wolfgang Hatz, showed BMW that it didn’t have a monopoly on high-revving engines. A six-speed manual transmission continued as the only transmission. Another change of strategy: Audi now wanted to change the perception that RS models were chiefly Avant station wagons. Hence, the 155-mph B7 RS4 was launched first as a sedan; the Avant and a cabriolet followed later. The wider body looked best on the sedan, which also sported a unique trunklid with a large integrated spoiler.

In an attempt to outdo what it achieved with the C5 RS6, Audi went right over the top with the C6 version: The twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V-8 made room for a twin-turbocharged V-10 that produced an almost incredible 580 hp. Power was sent through a six-speed automatic. Top speed was again governed at 155 mph, but a raised governor (174 mph) became a regular option. A briefly available RS6 plus was governed at 188 mph, which means it could break the psychologically important 300-kph barrier. This RS6 was wider than its A6 contemporary; it also was the first Audi RS without fog lights, thus conforming to an industry trend initiated by BMW’s M GmbH. Some questioned whether this RS6 was still a true RS—it was refined, a lot more civilized than its predecessor, and also a bit heavier in the front than maybe it should have been. It was the long-distance cruiser of the RS portfolio, offered as a sedan and as the Avant. It only recently went out of production.

The TT RS was a blatant attack on the Porsche Cayman; it’s a variation of the Golf-based TT powered by a Mexican-built 2.5-liter inline-five EA113 engine (known as “Iron Gustav” in base trim). After the Quattro GmbH treatment, it’s almost unrecognizable: A single large turbocharger boosts power to 360 hp in U.S. trim. Top speed is either 155 or 174 mph, both governed. A six-speed manual transmission is the only transmission offered in the States, while Europe gets the DQ500 seven-speed “wet” dual-clutch transmission with launch control—we hit 60 in 3.6 seconds with a Euro-spec model so equipped. Coupe and roadster models are offered; the big wing can be substituted for the regular TT’s motorized spoiler at customers’ behest. The TT RS is surprisingly economical, extraordinarily fast, but not exactly comfortable. At mid-range, a booming sound fills the cabin—but it’s one you’ll be happy to put up with.

The RS5 launched with an evolution of the previous RS4′s naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 engine, boosted to 450 hp. It’s available—to the dismay of purists worldwide—only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The RS5 was launched just before the A5′s face lift, and in order to keep early customers happy, only the headlights and taillights have been changed, while the other RS-specific details remained untouched. (The post-face-lift car will soon arrive in the U.S.) Governors of 155 or 174 mph are available here, too. The RS treatment transforms the nice and comfortable A5/S5 into an ultra-fast sports car. The next RS5 is sure to be turbocharged, but this one still has a few years of life in it.

We hear this was a quick-and-dirty assignment, one that met with outgoing Audi R&D chief Michael Dick’s immediate approval and that was rushed into production to become available before the next-gen A3 would render it obsolete. The 2.5-liter, single-turbo inline-five was taken directly from the TT RS, as was the DQ500 seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. In its class, the RS3 is without peer with its 340-hp engine—at until the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG potentially changes the game. Top speed is a governed 155 mph. There was not enough time to also develop it with a manual transmission, or to change the exhaust pipes to match the typical RS look. But we’re not complaining.

Just launched, the new Audi RS4 reverts to the typical station-wagon format. Looks like the re-education with the B7 didn’t work; moreover, the RS5 now covers many of the customers that might have gone for another RS4 sedan. The powertrain, with a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 that sends up to 450 hp through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, is virtually identical to the RS5′s. The styling goes a step further—see the front fascia with its triangular air intakes. For more on this monster, check out our first drive.

The RS concept may soon expand into high-riding-wagon territory. This is Audi’s idea of an RS Q3, previewed at the Beijing auto show this April. It is powered by a 360-hp variation of Audi’s 2.5-liter straight-five turbo; the front flaps, the three-dimensional pattern of the grille, and the glossy black details point to elements that will be seen on other future RS models. We drove a detuned version of this car in regular Q3 disguise last summer and can attest to its high potential. Look for a series-production model down the road.

I am a car lover and familiar with the design and manufacture of general engineering machinery.master AutoCad, Solidworks and other mechanical related software, X431,engaged in auto parts sales,sales channels with Launch X431 diagun.If you are interested in our products or needs, please click in Auto Tools.