2021 Audi RS6 Avant Is Nothing Like His 1994 RS2 Avant, Doug DeMuro Finds

Doug recently picked up a 1994 Audi RS2 Avant, a cool little modern classic with plenty of quirks and features. Luck would have it that Audi recently launched the limited-edition RS6 RS Tribute Edition, which comes in the exact same color called Nogaro Blue.

Just 25 of these RS6 editions will be made for the American market. And with prices starting from $136,800, they're not exactly cheap. But DeMuro argues the RS2 cost about $120,000 back when it was new if its price was adjusted for inflation.

Now, we want to point out how different these two are, but there are some facts we need to get out of the way. First, the RS2 came out more than 26 years ago, so Audi is a little late with its celebrations. Second, it's based on the Audi 80, which is the predecessor to the A4. Thus, the RS4 would be its direct successor, but they don't offer that in America.

As you can probably tell just by looking at them, these Avants aren't the same size. As the review points out, the RS6 is a full 17 inches (4,318 mm) longer, and its 16.5-inch high-performance brake disks are about the size of the wheels on the RS2. The design also separates them, as Audi wasn't such a fan of massive air intakes and body kits back in the day.

In terms of power, the RS2 only makes 311 hp and 302 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque from its turbocharged 2.2-liter five-cylinder. Meanwhile, its modern rival makes 591 hp and 590 lb-ft (799 Nm) from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that's all too familiar. Ironically, both Audis exist thanks to Porsche's help.