Audi RS2 Avant : 1995

The Audi RS2 Avant was a limited edition, high performance five-door, five-seat estate car (station wagon), manufactured from March 1994 to July 1995.

Collaboratively designed as a joint venture between Audi AG and Porsche , and built on Audi's 80 Avant, it was Audi's first "RS" vehicle, and the first of their high performance Avants (Audi's name for an estate car or station wagon); it used the most powerful and most thoroughly developed version of Audi's inline-five cylinder turbocharged internal combustion engine.

Although it was never exported outside of Europe, except for a few to Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil and New Zealand, the RS2 has amassed an impressive cult following worldwide, and it is often regarded as being the vehicle that finally firmly established Audi as a producer of practical high performance vehicles; its estate body, seating for five persons, and Audi's 'trademark' quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system as standard - made it usable as a comfortable daily driver, even in poorest of weather conditions.

The "RS" initials stand for RennSport (from German, literally translated to "racing sport", actually meaning "motor sport"), and is Audi's highest performance 'top-tier' trim level, positioned distinctly above the "S" ("Sport") specification level of Audi's regular model range. RS cars are usually produced in limited numbers over a limited time scale, and pioneer some of Audi's latest and most advanced technology and engineering prowess, therefore, "RS" cars could be described as halo vehicles. Whilst RS cars generally command a much higher purchase price, compared to their 'lesser' brethren, they also retain very high residual values too.

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