Audi S and RS models are a range of
high performance versions of certain
car model
The model of a car is its design, in the context of the manufacturer's range or series of cars. Different models are distinguishable by technology, components, underpinnings, and/or style and appearance.
The methods used to categorise cars into ...
s of the German automotive company
Audi AG
Audi AG () is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. As a subsidiary of its parent company, the Volkswagen Group, Audi produces vehicles in nine production facilities worldwide.
The o ...
. These cars primarily focus on enhanced "
sport
Sport pertains to any form of Competition, competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and Skill, skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to specta ...
" performance. Production of Audi "S" cars began in 1990 with the
S2 Coupé, whilst the first "RS" car appeared four years later with the
Audi RS 2 Avant
The Audi RS 2 Avant, usually known as Audi 80 RS 2, was a limited edition, high-performance Audi five-door, five-seat estate car (station wagon), manufactured from March 1994 to July 1995. ETKA official factory data Collaboratively designed as ...
.
Today's
S and
RS models are based on the A/
TT/Q models with the same number (e.g.
S4/
RS 4 is based on the
A4 or the TT RS based on the
TT), but the "Ur-S4" from 1991 to 1994 was based on the
Audi 100/200 later named
A6 and the first
S2/
RS2 generation from 1990 to 1995 was based on the
Audi 80/90 platform later replaced by the A4.
History
The history of road versions of Audi racing cars begins in the 1980s, from models
Audi Quattro
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. Production continued through 1991.
Background
The word ...
and
Audi Sport Quattro
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. Production continued through 1991.
Background
The word ...
made by concern Audi AG in the city of
Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt (, Austro-Bavarian: ) is an independent city on the Danube in Upper Bavaria with 139,553 inhabitants (as of June 30, 2022). Around half a million people live in the metropolitan area. Ingolstadt is the second largest city in Upper Bav ...
. In 1983, the company
Quattro GmbH
Audi Sport GmbH, formerly known as quattro GmbH,[Audi-Mediacente ...](_blank)
was founded (since November 2016, "
Audi Sport GmbH
Audi Sport GmbH, formerly known as quattro GmbH,[Audi-Mediacente ...](_blank)
") in the city of
Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm () is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Heilbronn, and part of the district of Heilbronn. , Neckarsulm had 26,800 inhabitants. The name Neckarsulm derives from the city's location where the Neckar and Sulm rivers ...
responsible for the development of sports models of cars of Audi brand. In 1990, appeared based on the model
Audi 80
The Audi 80 is a compact executive car produced by the Audi subdivision of the Volkswagen Group across four generations from 1966 to 1996. It shared its platform with the Volkswagen Passat from 1973 to 1986 and was available as a saloon, and s ...
sports model
S2 as a receiver Audi Quattro but already under the designation of the series "S" in the name and having a capacity of 220 hp. And in 1994 there was even more powerful model
Audi RS2 Avant
The Audi RS 2 Avant, usually known as Audi 80 RS 2, was a limited edition, high-performance Audi five-door, five-seat estate car (station wagon), manufactured from March 1994 to July 1995.ETKA official factory data Collaboratively designed as ...
based on Audi 80 model of joint development of Audi and
Porsche
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, usually shortened to Porsche (; see #Pronunciation, below), is a German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars, SUVs and sedans, headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany ...
having 315 hp.
The model was equipped with components from Porsche. As in 1973, Audi, together with Porsche, also developed a prototype based on the
Audi 100 Coupé S
The Audi 100 Coupé S is a sports car, sports fastback coupe Grand tourer class car manufactured by the Germany, German automaker Audi AG. The car was first presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show#1969, Frankfurt Motor Show in 1969. Originally 30,687 ...
, produced in 1968, which has 112 hp. the "
Grand tourer
A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either ...
" class. which received the name
100 Coupé S V3 and was equipped with a V8 engine with a power of 350 hp.
Since 1994, the development of the Audi S and RS sports series was started directly from the Quattro.
File:Audi 100 Coupe BW 1.JPG, 1969 Audi 100 Coupé S
The Audi 100 Coupé S is a sports car, sports fastback coupe Grand tourer class car manufactured by the Germany, German automaker Audi AG. The car was first presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show#1969, Frankfurt Motor Show in 1969. Originally 30,687 ...
File:Audi Quattro green.jpg, 1980 Audi Quattro
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. Production continued through 1991.
Background
The word ...
File:Audi Sport Quattro.jpg, 1984 Audi Sport Quattro
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. Production continued through 1991.
Background
The word ...
S models
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 unique emphasis lines on their front grills and on the back side, instead of the letter "A" in the designation of numbers and also in use in the notation "''S''3", "TT''S''" and "''S''Q5".
All Audi "S" models are equipped with Audi's 'trademark'
quattro four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, refers to a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer case ...
system as standard.
Unique internal combustion engines, along with larger, more powerful brakes, stiffer suspension systems, additional exterior body styling, and
carbon fibre
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon compo ...
interior trims set them apart from their related "siblings" of their respective model range.
In the past, some Audi S models competed directly with
BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW, BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars.
BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the ...
and
Mercedes-AMG
Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commonly known as AMG, is the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG. AMG independently hires engineers and contracts with manufacturers to customize Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles. The company has its headquarters in Aff ...
models, especially if Audi RS models are not offered, such as the B6 Audi S4 4.2 FSI versus the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG. Since 2010 however, Audi S models have been positioned more as optional engine trims. For instance the base Audi A4 (B8) engine is the 2.0 TFSI turbo four-cylinder, and with the discontinuation of the 3.2 FSI V6, that makes the Audi S4's 3.0 TFSI V6 the performance option (the B8 Audi S4 3.0 TFSI positioned closer to the E90 BMW 335i than the BMW M3). The
Audi ''A6'' (C7) no longer has a V8 engine upgrade in the non "S" range, with the discontinuation of the C6 Audi A6 4.2 FSI that was offered from 2004 – 2011, one must go to the C7 Audi S6 4.0 TFSI.
Audi "S" models should not be confused with the Audi "A, Q, TT" series, equipped with a package "
''S'' line" models, which feature leather trim, S-line badging, sports steering wheel and sports suspension, but they are not equipped with a high-power engine.
RS models
Audi Sport GmbH
Audi Sport GmbH, formerly known as quattro GmbH,[Audi-Mediacente ...](_blank)
(formerly 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". The characteristics and cost of these cars are equated to cars belonging to the
supercar
A supercar – also called exotic car – is a loosely defined description of street-legal, high-performance sports cars. Since the 2010s, the term hypercar has come into use for the highest performing supercars. Supercars commonly serve as t ...
class.
RS is Audi's highest performance 'top-tier' trim level, positioned distinctly above the "
S" ("Sport") specification level of Audi's regular model range. All "RS" cars pioneer some of Audi's latest and most advanced technology and engineering prowess, therefore, "RS" cars are considered by some as
"halo vehicles". Audi RS cars are some of the most powerful vehicles ever offered by Audi as well as
R8.
Audi ''RS 6'' (5.0 TFSI quattro), for instance, is more powerful than the physically larger
Audi S8 (5.2 FSI quattro).
However, the
2012 — 2015 Audi ''S8'' shares the same engine as the 2013 — ...
Audi ''RS 6'' and
Audi RS7 RS7 or RS-7 may refer to:
* Audi RS 7, a 2013–present German performance executive car
* Baojun RS-7, a 2020–present Chinese mid-size SUV
* Raheem Sterling
Raheem Shaquille Sterling (born 8 December 1994) is a professional footballer who p ...
, albeit in a lower state of tune, while for the 2016 — 2017 model years, the facelifted
Audi S8 plus is considered 'an "RS" in anything but name as it features an uprated engine with the same output as the smaller
RS 6 and
RS7. The 2016-17 S8 Plus was built by Quattro GmbH and has a VIN number that starts with WUA to identify it, compared to previous versions of the S8 which were built by Audi on the regular assembly line alongside other A8 variants.
Available for limited time and only in select markets, on a restricted model range, these "''RS"'' (and "''S''" models) models are wholly designed, developed and produced in-house by
Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company,
Audi Sport GmbH
Audi Sport GmbH, formerly known as quattro GmbH,[Audi-Mediacente ...](_blank)
, at its
Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm () is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Heilbronn, and part of the district of Heilbronn. , Neckarsulm had 26,800 inhabitants. The name Neckarsulm derives from the city's location where the Neckar and Sulm rivers ...
factory
A factory, manufacturing plant or a production plant is an industrial facility, often a complex consisting of several buildings filled with machinery, where workers manufacture items or operate machines which process each item into another. T ...
.
Unlike Audi "S" models whose interiors are well-furnished in order to retain the feel of sport luxury, the interior of Audi "''RS''" models are often spartan by comparison as the emphasis is more on track performance than luxury. The 2008 Audi RS 4 sold in Europe had lightweight racing-style front seats and roll-up windows for the rear doors, although its counterpart sold in the United States has luxurious power-adjustable front seats and power windows for all door
2008 BMW M3 vs. 2007 Audi RS 4, 2008 M-B C63 AMG
Audi "RS" models are considered direct competitors to similar sized hardcore sport models from
BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW, BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars.
BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the ...
and
Mercedes-AMG
Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commonly known as AMG, is the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG. AMG independently hires engineers and contracts with manufacturers to customize Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles. The company has its headquarters in Aff ...
, whereas the Audi "S" models (as of 2010) have been positioned more as engine upgrade trims. Taking the 2012 model year for example, the ''
Audi RS 5'' competes directly with the BMW M3, M4
whereas the Audi S5 competes with the BMW 335i, while the
Audi RS 6
The Audi RS 6 is a high-performance variant of the Audi A6 range, produced by the high-performance subsidiary company Audi Sport GmbH, for its parent company Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, from 2002 onwards.
The first and se ...
competes with the BMW M5 and the Audi S6 competes with the BMW 550i. However the
Audi ''RS 6'' (C6) was never exported to the United States due to emissions regulations, leaving the Audi S6 (C6) as the top performing trim to compete against the BMW M5 (E60) in that marke
2013 Audi S7
There used to be only one RS model in production at a time, but recently Audi has revised its policies and decided to make more than one RS model at a time, claiming that "customers want them, then why not give it to them".
Model range
The following
Audi
Audi AG () is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. As a subsidiary of its parent company, the Volkswagen Group, Audi produces vehicles in nine production facilities worldwide.
Th ...
"S" and "RS"
high performance models are being, or have been
produced, or are speculated to be in future production:
Current models
(In
model range
The model of a car is its design, in the context of the manufacturer's range or series of cars. Different models are distinguishable by technology, components, underpinnings, and/or style and appearance.
The methods used to categorise cars into ...
order)
Former models
(In chronological order of production end — oldest first)
Audi S line
Audi produce a specification of optional sports
trim package
Trim levels are used by manufacturers to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features. The equipment/features fitted to a particular vehicle also depend on any options packages or individual options that the car was ordered with.
...
s to their mainstream models A/Q/TT, 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
Audi Sport GmbH
Audi Sport GmbH, formerly known as quattro GmbH,[Audi-Mediacente ...](_blank)
at its
Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm () is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Heilbronn, and part of the district of Heilbronn. , Neckarsulm had 26,800 inhabitants. The name Neckarsulm derives from the city's location where the Neckar and Sulm rivers ...
factory, these mainstream cars are still manufactured and assembled by
AUDI AG
Audi AG () is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. As a subsidiary of its parent company, the Volkswagen Group, Audi produces vehicles in nine production facilities worldwide.
The o ...
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
Audi Sport GmbH
Audi Sport GmbH, formerly known as quattro GmbH,[Audi-Mediacente ...](_blank)
); Audi cars with S line trim bear identical performance figures to their counterparts with base or SE trim levels.
See also
*
Audi Sport Quattro
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. Production continued through 1991.
Background
The word ...
*
Audi 100 Coupé S
The Audi 100 Coupé S is a sports car, sports fastback coupe Grand tourer class car manufactured by the Germany, German automaker Audi AG. The car was first presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show#1969, Frankfurt Motor Show in 1969. Originally 30,687 ...
*
Audi S1
*
Audi S2
The Audi S2 is an Audi two-door sports car, manufactured by the division of quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH) on the same platform as the Audi 80 (B4) in Neckarsulm, Germany, produced from 1991 to 1995. The Audi S2 is the first car in the Audi ...
*
Audi RS2
The Audi RS 2 Avant, usually known as Audi 80 RS 2, was a limited edition, high-performance Audi five-door, five-seat estate car (station wagon), manufactured from March 1994 to July 1995.ETKA official factory data Collaboratively designed as a ...
*
Audi S3
S3, S-3 or S03 may refer to:
Entertainment
* ''Si3'' (flim), originally titled ''S III'' and also known as ''Singam 3'', the third film in the ''Singam'' franchise
* '' Expedition to the Barrier Peaks'', code S3, a 1980 ''Dungeons & Dragons'' adv ...
*
Audi S4
The Audi S4 is the high performance variant of Audi's compact executive car A4. The original Audi S4, built from 1991 until 1994, was a performance-oriented version of Audi's 100 saloon/sedan. All subsequent S4s since 1997 have been based on ...
*
Audi RS4
The Audi RS 4 is the high-performance variant of the Audi A4 range produced by Audi Sport GmbH for AUDI AG, a division of the Volkswagen Group. It sits above the Audi S4 as the fastest, most sports-focused car based on the A4's "B" automobile pl ...
*
Audi S6
The Audi S6 is the performance variant of the Audi A6, an executive car produced by German automaker Audi. It went on sale in 1994, shortly after the "A6" designation was introduced, replacing the "100" nameplate.
The original S6 was largely the ...
*
Audi RS6
The Audi RS 6 is a high-performance variant of the Audi A6 range, produced by the high-performance subsidiary company Audi Sport GmbH, for its parent company Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, from 2002 onwards.
The first and se ...
*
Audi S7
The Audi A7 is an executive luxury four-door coupé produced by Audi since 2010. A five-door liftback (also available as a three-box, four-door saloon in China since 2021), it features a sloping roofline with a steeply raked rear window and int ...
*
Audi RS7 RS7 or RS-7 may refer to:
* Audi RS 7, a 2013–present German performance executive car
* Baojun RS-7, a 2020–present Chinese mid-size SUV
* Raheem Sterling
Raheem Shaquille Sterling (born 8 December 1994) is a professional footballer who p ...
*
Audi S8
The Audi S8 is a full-size luxury car of the Audi S models produced by the German automaker Audi AG, manufactured by Audi Sport GmbH at the Neckarsulm plant. The S8 is the mechanically-upgraded, high-performance version of the Audi A8, fitted stan ...
*
Audi R8
The Audi R8 is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car, which uses Audi's trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German car manufacturer Audi AG in 2006.
The car is exclusively designed, developed, and manufactu ...
*
Audi A8 W12
The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, and now in its fourth generation, the A8 has been offered with both front- or permanent all-wheel drive—and in ...
*
Audi Q7 V12 TDI
References
Further reading
*
External links
Audi international — Audi S and RS models— full model range from Audi MediaServices
Audi S models micrositeAudi Sport® USA
{{DEFAULTSORT:Audi S And Rs Models
Sports sedans
Station wagons
Coupés
Convertibles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Executive cars
Lists of cars