Thanks to Porsche, the Audi RS 2 Avant was born.

The Audi RS 2 Avant launched Audi's performance sub-brand, RS (now Audi Sport), and this hot wagon was developed with the help of Porsche.

Audi and Porsche now work closely together under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, but before that Porsche sometimes took on projects for other automakers through its subsidiary Porsche Engineering in order to generate more revenue during the downturn. 1994. years before the RS 2 was launched, Porsche had done similar work for Mercedes-Benz's 500 E sports sedan.

In a statement, Michael Helscher, Porsche's project director, said that about 20% of the RS 2 came from Porsche. Porsche's influence is evident in the 17-inch cup wheels, such as those fitted to the 964 Turbo and 968 Clubsport at the time. Other Porsche-developed components include new exterior mirrors, upgraded brakes, gauges, and door handles. Porsche also worked on the RS 2's front and rear bumpers.

Porsche also "radically redesigned the engine," said Helscher. Based on the Audi 80 Avant, the RS 2 was powered by a 2.2-liter turbocharged inline 5-cylinder that produced 315 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. The turbo five was mated to a six-speed manual transmission and featured all-wheel drive.

By choosing the Avant wagon body style, Audi avoided direct comparisons to the BMW M and Mercedes-Benz AMG models of the time, effectively creating a performance wagon subgenre. 0-62 mph acceleration was 5.4 seconds, and the electronic control found in other Audis With no limiter, the RS 2 Avant's top speed was claimed to be 163 mph.

Approximately 2,891 were produced over a 16-month period between 1994 and 1995. Production took place at Porsche's Zuffenhausen plant, where Audi sent painted body parts and other components not developed by Porsche; the RS 2 Avant launched Audi's line of fast wagons, following the RS 6 Avant today, and is popular with collectors.