1995 Audi PORSCHE rs2 Avant

By the Nineties, Audi had used its significant success in the World Rally Championship to shift its image upmarket, and had become a genuine competitor to BMW and Mercedes on the road. But while it was beating its old rivals on Track and Stage, it still didn’t have a fast, desirable road car to compete against the M3 and AMGs. 

At this stage, they didn’t have an in-house performance car team, and given a tight schedule and limited resources, they contracted their neighbour Porsche to develop what would become the first in a long line of iconic RS models. 

Porsche’s engineering arm comprehensively reworked the modest Audi 80 Avant with new Inlet and Exhausts for the proven five-cylinder turbocharged engine, upgraded the gearbox and Quattro driveline, added Porsche brakes and wheels, along with many Porsche styling cues - 911 mirrors, fog lights and indicators, and the rear “Heckeblende” inspired by 964 and 993 models. 

RS2 final assembly took place in the same Zuffenhausen Porsche plant as the Mercedes 500E and Porsche’s own 959. 

The result was a performance wagon the like of which had never been seen before; 315 horsepower and 420Nm of torque and the headline-grabbing 0-50km/h time of 1.5sec which was faster than the McLaren F1, doing so with a glorious five-cylinder turbo soundtrack.

A rare car with only 2,891 units produced, 182 of which were Right-Hand-Drive, this RS2 has the added mythology of coming from the Sultan of Brunei collection, and being one of just a handful to make it to Australia. 

This Nogaro Blue Pearl example was manufactured in May 1995 and in its original specification is listed as “B60 - Special Requirements for Brunei.” 

The unique Audi and Porsche-embossed leather history folder contains receipts from Brunei workshops throughout the 2000s and since arriving in Australia, over $25,000 worth of work has been carried out to make sure everything is as it should be, and the car presents and drives beautifully as a result. 

This is a rare chance to own the car which kicked off a new performance brand with decades of iconic RS wagons following. 

With Audi going from strength to strength with its new F1 team and this month launching its new RS5 Wagon, now is the time to invest in the first of the breed.