Audi S and RS models are a range of high performance cars of certain model ranges from the German automotive company AUDI AG. These cars are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) factory "upgraded" versions of specific cars, from within Audi's standard range of vehicles, primarily focusing in enhanced "sport" performance.[1] Production of Audi "S" cars began in 1990 with the S2 Coupé, whilst the first "RS" car appeared four years later in 1994 with the Audi RS2 Avant.
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Numerous "S" models, from most of Audi's mainstream model ranges have been produced over the years. These cars are recognisable by their "S*" badges, and vertical emphasis lines on their front grilles.
All Audi "S" models are equipped with Audi's 'trademark' quattro four-wheel drive system as standard.[1] Unique internal combustion engines, along with larger, more powerful brakes, stiffer suspension systems, additional exterior body styling, and carbon fibre interior trims set them apart from their related "siblings" of their respective model range.
Like their related 'mainstream' brethren, all Audi "S" cars are still assembled by AUDI AG, and they are manufactured at their relevant factories on the same production lines alongside their other standard or 'lesser' models.
Audi "S" models should not be confused with the Audi "S line" models, which feature leather trim, S-line badging, sports steering wheel and sports suspension.
quattro GmbH, AUDI AGs high performance private subsidiary, creates even higher performance versions, known by their "RS" badging. The "RS" initials are taken from the German: RennSport - literally translated as "racing sport". RS is Audi's highest performance 'top-tier' trim level, positioned distinctly above the "S" ("Sport") specification level of Audi's regular model range.
Audi RS cars are some of the most powerful vehicles ever offered by Audi. The Audi RS6 5.0 TFSI quattro, for instance, is more powerful than the Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro.[1]
Available for limited time scales, on a restricted model range, these "RS" models are wholly designed, developed and produced in-house by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, at its Neckarsulm factory,[2] and usually have a wider bodyshell (sometimes informally referred to as 'widebody') to allow for a wider front- and rear-axle track.
All "RS" cars pioneer some of Audi's latest and most advanced technology and engineering prowess, therefore, "RS" cars could be described as "halo vehicles".
There used to be only one RS model in production at a time, but recently Audi has revised its politics and decided to make more than one RS model at a time, claiming that "customers want them, then why not give it to them".
The following Audi "S" and "RS" high performance models are being, or have been produced, or are speculated to be in future production:
(In model range order)
| Audi model name |
VW Group platform |
Typ code |
engine type | max. motive power | specific power | car body style(s) | start year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi TTS quattro | A5 (PQ35) | 8J | 1,984 cc I4 TFSI | 200 kW (272 PS; 268 bhp) | 100 kW (136.0 PS; 134.1 bhp) | 2-dr, 2-seat compact Coupé, 2-dr, 2-seat compact Roadster (convertible) |
2008 |
| Audi TT RS | A5 (PQ35) | 8J | 2,480 cc R5 TFSI | 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) | 100 kW (136.0 PS; 134.1 bhp) | 2-dr, 2-seat compact Coupé, 2-dr, 2-seat compact Roadster (convertible) |
2009 |
| Audi S3 quattro | A5 (PQ35) | 8P | 1,984 cc I4 TFSI | 195 kW (265 PS; 261 bhp) | 98.3 kW (133.7 PS; 131.8 bhp) | 3-dr, 5-seat hatchback | 2006 |
| Audi S3 Sportback quattro | A5 (PQ35) | 8P | 1,984 cc I4 TFSI | 195 kW (265 PS; 261 bhp) | 98.3 kW (133.7 PS; 131.8 bhp) | 5-dr, 5-seat compact estate/wagon | 2008 |
| Audi RS3 Sportback quattro | A5 (PQ35) | 8P | 2,480 cc R5 TFSI | 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) | 100.8 kW (137.0 PS; 135.2 bhp) | 5-dr, 5-seat compact estate/wagon | 2011 |
| Audi S4 quattro | B8 (PL48) (Audi MLB/MLP) |
8K | 2,998 cc V6 TFSI | 245 kW (333 PS; 329 bhp) | 81.7 kW (111.1 PS; 109.6 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
2008 |
| Audi S5 quattro | B8 (PL48) (Audi MLB/MLP) |
8T | 2,998 cc V6 TFSI 4,163 cc V8 FSI |
245 kW (333 PS; 329 bhp) 260 kW (354 PS; 349 bhp) |
81.7 kW (111.1 PS; 109.6 bhp) 62.5 kW (85.0 PS; 83.8 bhp) |
2-dr, 4-seat mid-size coupé 2-dr, 4-seat cabriolet (convertible) |
2007 |
| Audi RS5 quattro[3] | B8 (PL48) (Audi MLB/MLP) |
8T | 4,163 cc V8 FSI | 331 kW (450 PS; 444 bhp) | 2-dr, 4-seat mid-size coupé | 2010 |
(In chronological order of production end - oldest first)
| Audi model name |
VW Group platform |
Typ code |
engine type | max. motive power | specific power | car body style(s) | production year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S2 | B3 | 8B | 2.2L l5 20vT | 162–169 kW (220–230 PS; 217–227 bhp) | 2-dr, 5-seat Coupé, 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon), 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan) |
1990–1994 | |
| Audi S4 ("Ur-S4") | C4 | 4A | 2.2L l5 20vT | 169 kW (230 PS; 227 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan) | 1991–1994 | |
| Audi RS2 Avant | B4 | 8C | 2.2L l5 20vT | 232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) | 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) | 1994–1995 | |
| Audi S6 ("Ur-S6") | C4 | 4A | 2.2L l5 20vT 4.2 V8 |
169 kW (230 PS; 227 bhp) 213 kW (290 PS; 286 bhp) |
4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
1995–1997 | |
| Audi S6 Plus | C4 | 4A | 4.2 V8 | 240 kW (326 PS; 322 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
1996–1997 | |
| Audi RS4 Avant | B5 (PL45) | 8D | 2.7 V6 T | 280 kW (381 PS; 375 bhp) | 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) | 2000–2001 | |
| Audi S8 quattro | D2 (PL62) | 4D | 4.2 V8 | 250–265 kW (340–360 PS; 335–355 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan) | 1996–2002 | |
| Audi S4 quattro | B5 (PL45) | 8D | 2.7 V6 T | 195 kW (265 PS; 261 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
1997–2002 | |
| Audi S6 quattro | C5 | 4B | 4.2 V8 | 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
1999–2002 | |
| Audi S3 quattro | A4 (PQ34) | 8L | 1.8 I4 20vT | 154–165 kW (209–224 PS; 207–221 bhp) | 3-dr, 5-seat hatchback | 1999–2003 | |
| Audi RS6 quattro | C5 | 4B | 4.2 V8 40vT | 331 kW (450 PS; 444 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
2002–2004 | |
| Audi RS6 Plus quattro | C5 | 4B | 4.2 V8 40vT | 353 kW (480 PS; 473 bhp) | 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) | 2004 | |
| Audi S4 quattro | B6 (PL46) | 8E | 4.2 V8 40v | 253 kW (344 PS; 339 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon), 2-dr, 4-seat Cabriolet (convertible) |
2003–2005 | |
| Audi RS4 quattro | B7 (PL47) | 8E | 4,163 cc V8 FSI | 309 kW (420 PS; 414 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon), 2-dr, 4-seat Cabriolet (convertible) |
2006-2008 (sal), 2006-2007 (Avant), 2007-2008 (Cab) |
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| Audi S4 quattro | B7 (PL47) | 8E | 4.2 V8 40v | 253 kW (344 PS; 339 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) 2-dr, 4-seat Cabriolet (convertible) |
2005–2008, 2006-2009 (Cab) |
|
| Audi S6 5.2 FSI quattro | C6 | 4F | 5,204 cc V10 FSI | 320 kW (435 PS; 429 bhp) | 61.5 kW (83.6 PS; 82.5 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
2006–2011 |
| Audi RS6 5.0 TFSI quattro | C6 | 4F | 4,991 cc V10 TFSI | 427 kW (581 PS; 573 bhp) | 85.6 kW (116.4 PS; 114.8 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
2008–2010 |
| Audi S8 5.2 FSI quattro | D3 (PL63) | 4E | 5,204 cc V10 FSI | 331 kW (450 PS; 444 bhp) | 63.6 kW (86.5 PS; 85.3 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan) | 2006–2010 |
(In model range order)
| Audi model name |
VW Group platform |
Typ code |
engine type | car body style(s) | expected availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S1 | PQ25 | 8X | not revealed yet | 3-dr, 5-seat supermini | 2011 |
| Audi S6 | C7 | 4G | 3,993 cc V8 TFSI 309 kW (420 PS; 414 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon (sedan), 5-dr, 5-seat Avant (estate/wagon) |
2012 |
| Audi S7 | C7 | 4G | 3,993 cc V8 TFSI 309 kW (420 PS; 414 bhp) | 4-dr, 4-seat fastback | 2012 |
| Audi S8 | D4 | 4H | 3,993 cc V8 TFSI 382 kW (519 PS; 512 bhp) | 4-dr, 5-seat saloon | 2012 |
Audi produce a specification of optional sports trim packages to their mainstream models, known as the S line. This is merely a trim specification which allows customers to effect a sporty appearance in their mainstream Audi model. Whilst the specific S line trim parts are designed and produced by quattro GmbH at its Neckarsulm factory, these mainstream cars are still manufactured and assembled by AUDI AG at their relevant factories on the same production lines alongside their other standard models.
Cars with S line trim are not to be confused with the specific high performance offerings - the "S" models (made by AUDI AG), and the "RS" models (made by quattro GmbH); Audi cars with S line trim bear identical performance figures to their counterparts with base or SE trim levels.
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