These models, which represent the pinnacle of Audi’s performance lineup, are the embodiment of the company’s motto, “Vorsprung durch Technik.”
European sports cars are typically associated with brands like BMW’s M Division and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG line. If Audi Sport isn’t the first German automaker that comes to mind when you think “performance,” it should be. It has shown us why they deserve our respect as a serious manufacturer of high-quality machinery.
Audi’s 1990 S2 was the company’s first performance car, but it took only a few years for the company to produce fully-fledged sports cars. Audi collaborated with their fellow German automaker, Porsche, to turn their wagon (Avant) into a rally-inspired street weapon. The first vehicle to wear the “RS” badge was produced, and the rest, as they say, is history. Audi had finally shown they meant business when it came to speed, and not just in the rally.
Audi RS products are now formidable rivals in almost every industry. There is unquestionably an Audi R, S, or RS product for everyone, ranging from compact sporty sedans to large luxury super SUVs. The Audi Sport brand, formerly known as “Quattro,” has only been around for a short period of time. Audis have always been fast and reliable thanks to the efforts of clever engineers behind the scenes. Here are 15 of Audi’s fastest production vehicles.
2023 Audi S8
It’s getting harder for automakers to keep the sporty character of full-size cars as vehicles get bigger and heavier. The most recent iterations of BMW’s 7-series and Mercedes-Benz’s S-class have been criticized for being nothing more than mobile rec rooms. The luxury is generally well-received, as all full-size sedans provide unprecedented levels of coddling through unbelievable levels of comfort, stunning design, and rich materials.
Audi is aware that they are still creating a vehicle and that there will always be customers who would rather have a sportier driving experience in their luxury land yacht. The 2023 Audi S8 is the best option for those who plan to do a lot of driving. Though they’re all powerful, the Audi is the most under control. Keep in mind that in the film The Transporter, an Audi was used.
1994 RS2 Audi Avant
The RS2 Avant was the 1990s Audi station wagon’s lovechild with Porsche, bringing clever Stuttgart Engineering to the segment. Its turbocharged engine took cues from the five-cylinder Audis of its rallying heyday, and a star was born. Porsche provided assistance by increasing the size of the turbo, improving cooling, fine-tuning the ECU, and supplying more forceful cams.
For a small wagon of the time, 311 horsepower was a lot of power. To control all that power, Porsche borrowed the suspension geometry and brake system from the 911 turbo for the RS2. In the end, Audi was able to attract the attention of performance car enthusiasts thanks to the assistance of Porsche.
RS3 2017 Audi
The return of the five-cylinder engine was dramatic. The original RS3 was a fantastic idea. However, the 2017 RS3, which boasted 400 horsepower and was a legitimate M2 rival, captured the imagination of sports car fans like no other model before it. In a twist of fate, the RS3’s popularity in the North American market skyrocketed after Audi made it available worldwide as a sedan.
Its rugged 2.5-liter inline-five engine could handle even the most extreme levels of power after being tuned. Increasing output was as easy as turning up the volume or making some minor mechanical adjustments. This RS3 was the natural progression from the raucous RS2.
The Audi TT RS 2018
Without the definitive Audi Sportscar name before the R8, this list would be lacking. The TT has matured into a miniature R8 over the years. The third-generation Audi TT debuted in 2016. It was built on Volkswagen’s MQB platform. The TT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine, good for 400 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. You had a seven-speed S-tronic DCT transmission that smoothly delivered power to the road via Haldex all-wheel drive.
It takes only 3.2 seconds to go from zero to sixty miles per hour. Despite Audi’s default top speed limit of 155 mph, the TT RS’s top speed was increased to 174 mph when the optional Dynamic Plus package was installed. The TT RS had a more aggressive body kit, bigger wheels (19 or 20 inches), and magnetic dampers to improve the ride quality.
Audi RS4 C+ 2023 Competition
Audi, too, has adopted the “competition” badge system. Audi wants a piece of the market share that seems to be going to BMW’s Competition models. With its increased top speed of 180 mph, freer-flowing and more aggressive-sounding exhaust, and new lightweight wheels that save nearly 4.5 pounds per corner, the new RS4 Competition Plus is a spectacle to behold.
The handling of a vehicle can benefit greatly from any reduction in unsprung weight. The fixed-ratio steering has also been significantly altered to produce a razor-sharp turn-in, and the car’s sport differential has been improved. The compression and rebound of the shocks are now controllable. The engine’s power remains the same, but the torque curve and transmission ratios have been fine-tuned.
There are also new, more aggressive tire options to choose from. The RS4 becomes a serious performance vehicle with the addition of the Competition Plus Pack. The RS4 is currently unavailable in the US market.
RS5 Audi 2015
In the middle to late 2000s, luxury automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi all offered small, entry-level models with powerful V-8 engines. Audi came in a little bit later than expected. Nonetheless, Audi had a genuine rival in the form of the R8 supercar’s 4.2-liter V-8, which had a redline of 8,300 RPM and produced 450 horsepower, matching the output of the Mercedes’ 6.3-liter V-8 and easily outpacing the 414 produced by the BMW M3.
The engine roared like an M3, but it had the power of a C63. The RS5 was the kind of car that could back up its claims with actual performance. The RS5’s ace in the hole was Quattro all-wheel drive, which no competitor could match. The C63 was notoriously difficult to handle, while the M3 lacked torque and ultimately proved unreliable if not meticulously cared for. Getting the RS5 was a shrewd choice.
2006 Audi R8
It’s real life Audi LeMans Quattro Concept time! The original Audi R8 had a 4.2-liter V-8 engine and a proper six-speed manual transmission. The R8’s 420 horsepower were put to good use, but some critics said that wasn’t nearly enough for a car of its caliber. Although the R8’s V-8 version was the more impressive of the two in 2006, the V-10 version was eventually introduced and remains in production to this day.
It was the first of its kind, and it did a good job of demonstrating how nimble an Audi sports car can be. The R8 silenced critics who had previously pointed out that many cars’ weight distribution was off. The all-wheel-drive V-8-powered R8 had a curb weight of 3,400 pounds, so it wasn’t exactly a featherweight. The new mid-engined Audi was a smashing success as the company’s flagship vehicle, especially considering its superiority in terms of luxury over competing supercars and its track record of dependable performance under duress.
Audi RS6 Avant, Year 2023
In 2020, Audi presented the United States with the RS6 Avant as a gesture of goodwill. Wagons, or “Avants” in Audi parlance, gained popularity once more, and fans rejoiced at the return of the RS6 to the United States. Everyone said they wanted one, but the price of a large, luxurious wagon with 600 horsepower was higher than most people anticipated.
At first, the RS6 Avant was not easy to sell in the midst of a pandemic. Drivers have shown their appreciation for the elegant beast by purchasing RS6s in greater numbers. The Audi RS6 Avant is an excellent all-around vehicle for those who value high-end sports car performance without sacrificing comfort, versatility, or safety.
RS7 Sportback 2014 Audi
Audi’s new V-8 had to be released during the high-horsepower turbocharged “hot v” era of German V-8s (a war that is still ongoing). Wow, that’s quite a ride. The Audi RS7 Sportback broke new ground for Audi in a number of ways. Audi’s updated “hot v” V-8 was on display in this model. It had (and has) phenomenal impact.
Audi’s four-door coupe was an instant hit, especially considering Mercedes-Benz had pioneered the category just a few years prior with the CLS. Audi’s A7 and RS7 variants, with their hatchback rear glass, nailed the proportions and provided more utility. The RS7 may have won the world over to the idea of a four-door coupe by offering a more attractive take on the format.
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