Note: This is a guest post written by Amina Alavi. RS Range – Back in the 90s when AMG and M were flexing their muscles, another performance marquee was rising in the shadows. Audi back then had already given a glimpse of its performance capabilities with Quattro in the world of rally and motorsports. The all-wheel-drive technology had everyone in its awe, thanks to its exhilarating performance and exquisite speed.
Audi launched their performance lineup – the RS range to challenge the likes of AMG and BMW M, and in this quest, they created some marvelous machines. There are nearly a dozen RS vehicles in Audi’s lineup, with each of those mean machines offering otherworldly performance in the disguise of a sober vehicle.
Beginning of the RS Range – Audi RS2 Avant
Packing a highly impressive 2.2L turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, the RS2 Avant came as a surprise. The launch took everyone by surprise when Audi threw a station wagon with a supercar-like performance into the competition and the gamble really paid off.
The otherwise harmless-looking car packed a whopping 311 horsepower and nearly 300 lb-ft of torque. It could launch from nothing to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds, right up to 165 mph without breaking a sweat. It featured the very popular Quattro all-wheel-drive and had the perfect traction, like the grip of a salamander.
RS Range: Audi RS6 – Formula 1 Inspired V10
As if the performance engines and V8s were not good enough, Audi threw everything into their 2006 RS6 sports sedan. The manufacturer equipped its fastest car ever with a 5.0L V10 engine that took its cues from the world of Formula 1 racing.
The mighty V10 powerhouse packed two turbochargers and rocketed the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, with a maximum speed of nearly 200 mph. It could easily outrun the very popular Mercedes E63 AMG and BMW M5 and beat them in almost every performance department. To date, there has never been a more exciting sedan, and the RS6 was so good that it inspired Audi to use the very same engine in an exotic car like Audi R8.
RS Range: Audi TT RS – Small Package | Big Performance
Good things don’t have to be in big bulky packages and Audi proved that with their utterly famous TT. The Z4 and MX5 rival had always been a top choice among the consumers but after a few complaints about it being soft on the throttle, Audi decided to go all bonkers. They launched a TT RS version with nearly 350 horsepower and 0-60 times in supercar territory.
The second generation Audi TT got the true treatment of the RS range and it was worthy of an R8 comparison. With a sleek design, topless driving, and exhilarating performance, TT RS personified the true meaning of speed and embraced the challenge with dignified performance.
RS Range: Audi RS Q8 – The SUV Fever Gone Rampant
It wasn’t even 2015 yet and the decade had already a new ruler in the automotive industry, the SUV segment. Each new vehicle that rolled off the assembly line or came as a concept was either an SUV or a crossover. Audi also jumped at the chance and gave SUV lovers what they wanted, a performance-based SUV from the Audi RS Range.
Sharing its 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine with the likes of mighty Bentayga and Urus, the RS Range leader produces a mind-boggling 591 horsepower, capable of going from rest to 100 in just 3.7 seconds. It also rocked an under 7-minute Nurburgring lap, edging out a number of other sports cars and performance machines.
If you’re looking for any kind of a performance car with killer looks and exhilarating ownership experience, the Audi RS range would suffice all your cravings – check it out on Audi’s website for more details.
