- AUDI AG unveils a special anniversary edition model based on the Audi Avant RS2.
- Audi RS 4 Avant 'Nogaro selection' edition celebrates world premiere in Geneva.
- A maximum of five of these exclusive editions are bound for Australia.
Australia/Ingolstadt, 5 March, 2014 – Twenty years ago, the Audi Avant RS2 made its worldwide debut. It is the undisputed founder of the dynamic RS family. Now, to celebrate the 20th anniversary, Audi is launching a special edition of the current model on the market. Just five RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection vehicles are bound for Australia, following the model's world premiere at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
"We are pleased to secure five of these very special vehicles to offer our Australian customers," said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia.
"The original Audi Avant RS2 plays a significant role in Audi's history as the founding model of our high-performance RS range. These RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection vehicles are a fitting tribute, and will become 'collectable' in their own right," said Mr Doyle.
The customised Nogaro blue pearl effect paint is the most salient visual signal of the anniversary model, and is also reminiscent of the RS2. The frame, and use of the Singleframe grille, as well as the window slot trims, are painted high-gloss black, and the roof rails in matt black. The RS sport exhaust system terminates in two oval, high-gloss black tailpipe trims.
331 kW: the high-revving V8
Under the hood of the Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection is a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 engine with a displacement of 4,163cc. The 4.2 FSI delivers 331 kW of power output at 8,250 rpm, with peak torque of 430 Nm available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The resonant eight-cylinder engine accelerates the anniversary model from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and takes it to a governed top speed of 280 km/h. Its combined fuel consumption is 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres – for a CO2 equivalent of 249 grams per kilometre.
With its incredible efficiency and tall top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to low fuel consumption. The driver can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift operate automatically or change gears themselves using the selector lever or the steering wheel paddles.
The core of the quattro permanent all-wheel drive is the self-locking crown gear centre differential. The compact and lightweight component distributes torque at a default ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axles. This ratio can be broadly varied as required – with up to 70 per cent of the power going to the front and a maximum of 85 per cent to the rear. The crown gear centre differential cooperates with the wheel-selective torque control, which makes handling at curve limits even more dynamic through selective, small brake impulses. Audi also offers the sport differential as a standard that actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.
The standard equipment of the Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection also includes the Audi drive select dynamic driving system. This system allows variation between modes – comfort, auto and dynamic – for the characteristics of the electromechanical power steering, the seven-speed S tronic, the accelerator and the RS sport exhaust system. A fourth mode – individual – is also available as standard and this can be configured by the driver.
On top of all of the standard equipment, there are two optional elements available for Audi drive select. The dynamic steering varies the steering ratio depending on the speed and counter steers with small impulses at curve limits. The RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) equalises the roll and pitch for the firmly sprung suspension by diagonally linking the hydraulic dampers.
The Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection rides on 265/30 series tyres. Behind the gloss turned finish 20-inch wheels in 5-V-spoke design gleam red-painted brake calipers bearing RS emblems. The brake discs featuring a wave design are internally ventilated, perforated and joined to the aluminium brake disc chambers by pins. Audi installs carbon-fibre ceramic discs at the front axle on request. The Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) offers a sport mode and can also be entirely deactivated as required.
Black and blue: the interior
In the sporty black interior, Audi offers two different upholstery versions for the electrically adjustable S sport seats with their integrated head restraints. In both cases, the side sections are covered with black Valcona leather; the Alcantara synthetic fibres for the centre sections and door trim inserts are colored either black as well or Nogaro blue – in homage again to the Audi Avant RS2. The armrests are covered with black leather, with blue contrasting stitching providing accents. Black or Nogaro blue piping frames the black floor mats.
Black leather with blue stitching also refines the steering wheel rim and the selector lever boot. Blue threads run through the carbon inlays to lend them a very special shimmer. A badge on the RS selector lever knob of the S tronic and the logos on the door sill trims refer to the special status of the anniversary model.
A modern classic: the Audi Avant RS2 from 1994
The Audi RS2 from 1994 was the first RS model from Audi and also the first high-performance model from the brand to combine full everyday suitability with a dynamic character, becoming the founder of a whole family of dynamic models. Audi had developed the RS2 in cooperation with Porsche, with assembly occurring at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
Its appearance alone was indicative of the power of the first RS model. The front bumper featured powerful air inlets, and the grille was painted black. The exterior mirrors came from Porsche, the rear was emblazoned by a full-width band of light, and the emblems were large-sized. The RS2 optionally left the assembly line with an exclusive Nogaro blue paint finish, recalling the two victories achieved by Frank Biela on the Nogaro circuit in the French Touring Car Championship of 1993.
The engine embodied Audi's full expertise from touring car sports. The 2.2-litre five-cylinder engine delivered 232 kW by way of a large turbocharger, high boost pressure, expanded air ducting and adapted engine management. At 3,000 rpm 410 Nm of torque were available, with the limiter only taking effect at 7,200 rpm. The RS2 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 262 km/h. A six-speed manual transmission delivered the power to the quattro drivetrain, which had a manually-activated locking differential at the rear axle.
The suspension, with its all-round transverse links, is derived from the suspension of the technical starting basis, the Audi S2. The shock absorbers were even firmer and the springs were shortened. Porsche supplied the 17-inch wheels, the large, internally ventilated brake discs and the red-painted four-piston calipers.
The interior was dominated by Silk Nappa leather and Alcantara in the colour anthracite, blue or silver grey, and the Recaro seats were electrically adjustable. The instruments bore white dials, while small indicators on the centre console kept the driver informed about the oil pressure, oil temperature and vehicle system voltage. CFRP inlays were optionally available.
Pricing
The RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection is a special limited-edition for Australia, paired with Audi exclusive enhancements. Other high-performance options usually available on an RS 4 Avant are available, making each vehicle a custom order.
The RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection will be available from $171,300 (MLP).
– ENDS –
The Audi Group delivered around 1,575,500 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2013. From January through the end of September 2013 the Company posted revenue of €37 billion and an operating profit of €3.74 billion. The Audi Group is globally present in more than 100 markets and produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Bratislava (Slovakia), Martorell (Spain), Kaluga (Russia), Aurangabad (India), Changchun (China) and Jakarta (Indonesia). The brand with four rings produces cars also in Foshan (China) since December 2013, in 2015 in São José dos Pinhais (Brazil) and 2016 in San José Chiapa (Mexico). AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and the sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy). The Group currently employs almost 73,000 people worldwide, including around 50,000 in Germany. Total investment of around €22 billion is planned from 2014 to 2018 – mainly in new products and sustainable technologies. Audi lives up to its corporate responsibility and has strategically established the principle of sustainability for its products and processes. The long-term goal is CO2-neutral mobility.