SUPERCARS DON'T HAVE TO ACTUALLY look like supercars. Blind-spot styling, ergonomic nightmares and a mid-mounted multi-cylinder package may be Viagra on split rims for some, but there are punters who want performance and practicality. So welcome to the understated universe of the bespoke German super-estate and its finest representation on earth, the Audi RS2.
Audi had already established the 220bhp S-series as hyper-quick, practical everyday cars (in the UK, there was an 80-based S2 estate and Coupe and a 100-based S4). With the excellent quattro system keeping the show on the road and the Merc-topping build quality and engineering, the S-series became highly prized by drivers who wanted to get from A to B ASAP.
But you can never have too much performance, so Audi teamed up with Porsche to build the even more potent RS2. Based on the dull 80 platform, it had a full Porsche makeover that boosted the 2226cc five-cylinder turbo's power output to a heady 315bhp. There were new camshafts, injectors, a bigger intercooler, free-flow exhaust and a turbocharger that was 30 percent bigger than standard and mapped to provide 1.4 bar of boost. A six-speed gearbox marshalled that power, while Porsche 968 Club Sport brakes made it all come to a halt. Porsche also supplied the five-spoke alloys, door mirrors and indicators housed in the big bumper/airdam.
During its brief run from October 1994 to December 1995, some 2200 RS2s were built. However, just 180 examples with steering wheels on the right were imported and even a £45,705 price tag failed to put buyers off. It is no wonder that they can still command up to £25,000 on a specialist forecourt. Obviously far more were made with a left-hook layout, and that means lower prices and better availability.
We went to see Martin Pearse, someone who only sells cars he actually likes, including Alpina BMWs and Porsches. He loves the RS2 and thinks the values of right-hand-drive cars are mad. Pearse is convinced that Germans treat their cars better and with more attention to servicing detail and general TLC that makes most UK-based exotica look shabby. His company, MCP Motorsport, is proof that there is a market for what he calls 'depreciation-proof supercars'. In the first quarter of this year he has sold nine RS2s and can't get enough of them. Pearse believes the RS2 is unlikely ever to be worth less than E13.000.The left-hand-drive one in the picture is a 1995/M, retailing for £16,350. Depending on mileage, the better left-hand-drive examples are always in the £16,000 to £19,000 region. Pearse picked up this UK-registered example from an armed forces chap staring down the barrel of an RS2-induced driving ban.
The dream combination of Porsche/ Audi engineering and build quality means that a full service history equals utter reliability. If the turbo does go pop after a mega mileage, the unstressed unit is easily exchanged/repaired at the usual specialist outlets. Cambelts are not a problem; Pearse shows me a bill for £247 and it's a three-hour job. Problems will occur if the engine is chipped and starts to kick out anything near 400bhp. The turbo pipework will blow off but it can simply be refitted and the clip tightened. If the discs are scored, don’t get stung for the Porsche parts. Those discs are £40 each from non-branded suppliers, but you can multiply that figure by six if you shop at the franchised outlets, especially Audi ones. Only buy one in Avus blue if you want to draw attention or have your RS2 nicked.
Terminal turbo lag has been the cry of the hard-to-please magazine road tester and pub bore, but the reality is that it gets you to 60mph in just over five seconds. Pearse has had customers wanting their old, brutal RS2 back, many owners finding it a more satisfying and visceral drive than the current RS4.
There are few contemporary rivals aside from BMW's left-hook M5 Touring and Alpina's interpretations. If only there had been a Montego Countryman MG Turbo. Indeed, the proposed rear-drive MG 75 Tourer looks like an RS2 crib.
As the ex-owner of our photo car proved, in one respect the RS2 is just like any other supercar: if you aren't careful it’s a driving ban just waiting to happen.