1995 Audi RS2
If you want a premium, fast-estate car today, the obvious choice is an Audi RS product. In fact a quick-flip through the fast-estate car history books will show multiple mentions throughout where Audi has come up trumps.
Be it the first B5 RS4 with its twin-turbocharged V6, or maybe you prefer the sonorous notes of the B7 model’s naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8, or perhaps, the mac-daddy takes your fancy in the form of the twin-turbocharged V10 powered RS6 of the late 2000s?
All of these Avants have one thing in common, and that is their family lineage, they’re all a direct descendent of the other-wordly RS2, Audi’s first RS model. Launched in 1994, the RS2 was the direct result of collaboration between Audi and Porsche engineers. Audi would ship nearly completed 80 avant body shells, to Porsche’s Rossle-Bau facility in Zuffenhausen for final assembly with added upgrades, the same factory where Porsche produced the 959.
This particular RS2 is a 1995 model and is one of just 183 RHD-UK supplied examples; you'll find it finished in a rather fetching shade of Ragusa Green. A deep metallic hue which adds an element of elegance to the RS2 that isn’t found in cars finished in brighter colours. The paintwork is in overall good condition for a car nearing its 30th year, there are age related marks but there is still a deep shine.
The exterior is where you’ll first notice some of the more obvious upgrades made by the Porsche engineers. The RS spec trim results in more aggressive bumpers than a standard car, and Porsche lightweight style vents. The base-spec Audi wheels make way for Porsche sourced “cup” alloy wheels, which are finished in the original silver shade with Porsche centre caps and wrapped in a matching set of Continental tyres, not only adding style and provenance but also room for the red Porsche brake callipers that are housed behind them.
Step inside and you’re greeted with RS branded Recaro black leather seats, which hug you in all the right places, an iconic seat design, these are in great shape though there are some signs of wear on the wide bolsters. The dashboard, switchgear and trim are all in excellent shape and Carbon-fibre accents are dotted around the interior. There are three additional gauges, with white-dials that match the main gauge cluster and a modern Blaupunkt Bremen DAB head-unit.
Under the bonnet is where you’ll find more Porsche upgrades, a 2.2-litre 5-Cylinder Turbo power plant, that Porsche engineers fettled, a bigger turbo, high-flow injectors, new camshaft, new inlet and intercooler resulted in a 311bhp. But this engine has been tweaked further, it received an MTM remap, pushing it to 330bhp.
The 5-cylinder heart is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox that sends its power to all four wheels thanks to Audi’s Quattro system. The combination of Avant practicality, Porsche derived handling and power and Quattro all-wheel-drive makes this the perfect all weather modern-classic.
The engine bay and underside are in excellent shape, this is in part thanks to an underbody restoration taken on by AM Cars in 2022, but also as a direct result of this car's extensive service records. There are records that track right the way back to 2000, and an impressive collection of invoices for maintenance and upgrades like Goodridge braided brake hoses. As well as invoice for the all-important Cambelt change in March of 2022 at 176,000 miles, just 2,000 miles ago.
The RS2 is a cult classic, no doubt about it, it’s a car enthusiast's kinda car. It will fly under the radar of the less informed and will disappear discreetly into the traffic after you’ve had your fun hooning around, but those of us in the know, we’ll know.
As modern performance estates become louder and more brash, you can rest easy knowing that your Porsche developed, Rally-derived super-estate is sat, waiting ready to go, with the dog in the back.
As with all our vehicles, a full digital folder is available on request containing more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.