Audi RS: A Really Speedy History of the Fastest Roadgoing Audis

The original Audi Quattro (or Ur Quattro) launches in 1980 as a homologation car for the Group B rally, coming to America for 1982. It doesn't wear an RS badge (because Audi's Rennsport models don't yet exist) but it does mark the birth of Quattro, a highlight of the Audi Sport motorsports division that would eventually be responsible for birthing the RS sub-brand. The Quattro is in production for 11 years, and it becomes a legend in its own right after leaving its mark on the World Rally Championship.

The RS2 Avant is the first production car to wear the RS badge. Jointly developed with Porsche, it is probably among most famous cars to be worked on by both German brands. The RS2 is based on an Audi 80 Avant, and since it was the first proper RS car, some feel to this day that RS models should therefore come only in wagon form. The RS2 features a 311-hp turbocharged 2.2-liter five-cylinder engine; the turbo five also kicks out a substantial 302 lb-ft of torque. In classic Audi fashion it sends that power through a manual transmission to all four wheels. Porsche is responsible for the RS2's stouter breaks, lighter wheels, snazzy seats, and—of course—the little "Porsche" badge on the back.

The 1999 Audi RS4 is the first in a long line of RS4s—most of which never make it to the United States. The generational code for the 1999 RS4 is "B5," and that's how hardcore RS fans refer to the car. The B5 RS4 features a 2.9-liter turbocharged V-6 making 380 horsepower and, like the RS2 before it, also features a manual transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. Though it never comes to the states (even though the less wild S4 model does), the B5 RS4 helps cement the legitimacy of Audi RS.

Shortly after the original RS4 ends production, Audi ups the ante with the first RS6 based on the larger A6. The RS6 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V-8 that makes 444 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. It's also the first RS model to make it to the United States, but it's only available here for one model year as a sedan. In Europe, the RS6 is available first as an Avant (station wagon) and then later as a sedan, and production runs from 2002 to 2004.

The followup to the first RS4, codenamed B7, is markedly different from the first one. Even though the second-generation RS4 keeps its manual gearbox and Quattro all-wheeld-rive system, it ditches the old car's turbo V-6 in favor of a 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated V-8 that kicks out 420 horsepower, makes 317 lb-ft of torque, and revs to 8,000 rpm. This RS4 also has more bandwidth than the previous car, as it is available as a sedan, an Avant, and, surprisingly, a two-door convertible. The RS4 sedan is offered in America, but remains the only RS4 ever to be sold in the United States.

Even though it's not an RS-badged machine, the original Audi R8 is developed and built by Quattro GMbH—the same company that builds all RS models and was rebranded as Audi Sport. The original R8 comes out in 2006 and is immediately hailed as the supercar you can use every day. At first, it features the same 4.2-liter V-8 as the aforementioned B7 RS4 (mounted amidships), and Quattro all-wheel drive is standard on all cars. Buyers have the option of either a slick six-speed manual or a six-speed automated manual transmission Audi called "R-Tronic."

In 2008, Audi goes all out with the newest RS6. It features a twin-turbocharged version of the Lamborghini Gallardo's 5.0-liter V-10 that makes 572 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Though the engine is related to the one in the R8 V-10 and Gallardo, the RS6's engine has more than 400 unique parts. Power is routed exclusively through a ZF-built six-speed automatic to all four wheels. This RS6 is also available as both a sedan or an Avant, but neither model makes its way to the U.S.

According to Audi, its first "compact" RS car is the TT RS, though what that makes the original RS2 is up for debate. The "baby-R8," as it is affectionately dubbed, comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing a healthy 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The TT RS comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. There is also a harder-core TT RS plus that comes a year later with 353 horsepower, and a roadster model eventually follows—but only for Europe.

The second compact RS-badged Audi after the TT RS is the RS3 Sportback. Based on the rather pedestrian A3 hatchback, the RS3 comes with a 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine that is heavily based on the engine in the aforementioned TT RS. It makes a familiar 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. While this generation of A3 is sold in the U.S., the RS3 version doesn't find its way here.

The third-generation Audi RS4 is spun off the A4 that starts production in 2007. Dubbed the "B8" RS4, it features a 4.2-liter, naturally aspirated V-8 that makes 444 horsepower, 317 lb-ft of torque, and revs all the way up to 8,250 rpm. The B8 RS4 is also the first to come without the option for a manual transmission, shipping exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

In a familiar turn of fate, the B8 RS4 doesn't make it stateside—but its RS5 coupe sibling does. The RS5 becomes the first RS car America gets in six years and is mechanically identical to the RS4 sold overseas. The RS5, however, is significantly smaller and lighter than its Avant counterpart, is the only 2+2 coupe Audi ever makes with a V-8 under its hood, and is eventually also available as a convertible.

In 2013, Audi RS throws the automotive world a curveball. Its newest high-performance RS machine isn't a sporty coupe or another Avant, but a subcompact crossover SUV, the RS Q3. The little Q3 is treated to Quattro all-wheel drive, a 306-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, and—weirdly—just one exhaust outlet. (Most Audi RS models have two outlets.) The RSQ3 doesn't come to the United States despite America's hankering for SUVs of all shapes, sizes, and performance potentials.

At the same time the RS Q3 is deployed overseas, the Audi RS7 makes its debut. The best thing about it might not even be its 552-hp twin turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, or even its handsome good looks. Instead, the best news is that the RS7 is destined to come to the United States to do battle with the likes of the Porsche Panamera Turbo, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, and BMW M6 Gran Coupe.

In 2015 the RS3 returns, this time bound for the U.S. market, albeit with a catch. While the rest of the world gets the RS3 in a sporty and utilitarian Sportback (Audi-speak for a five-door hatchback) guise, the U.S. gets a slightly less handy sedan variant. Oh, and American customers need to wait until the 2017 model year to pick one up. The second-generation RS3 is powered by a raucous, turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder that makes 362 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque. Despite its small stature, the RS3 could be considered a proper sports sedan.

The second-generation Audi TT RS makes its debut in 2016. Like the TT RS that came before it, the new car is also powered by a 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine. The big difference is the new engine pumps out 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque—and there is no manual transmission option. Instead, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic sends power to all four wheels. Though it never receives as much attention as its predecessor, the TT RS is still something to get excited about.

In 2018, the world receives yet another new Audi RS4 Avant. The B9, as it is dubbed, is powered by a new twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic. Yet again, it is only available overseas. The V-6 makes 443 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The back of the wagon swallows plenty of stuff. It looks cool. That's all fine and good, we just wish Audi would sell the super wagon here.

Luckily for fans of the Audi RS brand, Americans do get the coupe version of the newest RS4—well, two, actually. The RS5 returns as the RS4's swoopier, U.S.-available sibling, but this time without the previous generation model's convertible variant but with a new four-door coupe Audi calls the "RS5 Sportback." (The two-door RS5 coupe remains available. ) Both RS5s are powered by the same twin-turbo V-6 as the Euro-market RS4 Avant.

This is the big one, the reason we've gathered this history of RS. The fourth generation of the Audi RS6 Avant is unveiled in 2019, and Americans are shocked to hear that, finally, it's going to be sold in the United States. And not as a sedan, or some coupe-cosplaying hatchback, but as a proper Audi RS, as a wagon. The RS6 comes packing a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 punting out 591 rampaging horses  and 590 lb-ft of twist. Having finally driven it, we can confirm that, yep, it's pretty dang epic.