RE: jeremyc's Audi RS2
Discussion
Certainly happy with it so far: it is incredibly well screwed together, as rapid as I expected it to be and practical to boot.
The 'old school' turbo lag takes a bit of getting used to: the power really does kick in with a huge surge over 4000rpm - up until then it is fairly docile. This means getting away from a standstill at any pace takes a little practice. It also means you have to be on the ball when overtaking; get into the manoeuvre before the turbo kicks in and you begin to wonder if you'll ever get past.
But when it spools up boy does it shift. 
Long distance cruising is all taken in its stride: the 6th gear makes motorway work a doddle. Four of us travelled in sublime leather-cossetted comfort and speed to the motorshow and back, and certainly gave the Corvette driver a shock on the A30 when the estate car, 4 up, caught and passed him.
The drivetrain and brakes inspire massive confidence - I've not yet been brave enough to find the cornering limits of the 4WD and the massive tyres, and the factory option brake upgrade (Porsche 993T cross drilled rotors and calipers at the front, cross drilled units ar the back) provide unfadeable retardation.
Perhaps the only potential downside so far is the fuel consumption that is currently on a par with a the Cerbera.
Oh, and I think it looks fantastic as well:
The 'old school' turbo lag takes a bit of getting used to: the power really does kick in with a huge surge over 4000rpm - up until then it is fairly docile. This means getting away from a standstill at any pace takes a little practice. It also means you have to be on the ball when overtaking; get into the manoeuvre before the turbo kicks in and you begin to wonder if you'll ever get past.
But when it spools up boy does it shift. Long distance cruising is all taken in its stride: the 6th gear makes motorway work a doddle. Four of us travelled in sublime leather-cossetted comfort and speed to the motorshow and back, and certainly gave the Corvette driver a shock on the A30 when the estate car, 4 up, caught and passed him.
The drivetrain and brakes inspire massive confidence - I've not yet been brave enough to find the cornering limits of the 4WD and the massive tyres, and the factory option brake upgrade (Porsche 993T cross drilled rotors and calipers at the front, cross drilled units ar the back) provide unfadeable retardation.
Perhaps the only potential downside so far is the fuel consumption that is currently on a par with a the Cerbera.
Oh, and I think it looks fantastic as well:
I'm afraid that the temptation to take the Cerbera out is still there Thom, so it sees regular duty!
Thom said: Great!
Glad to see the Cerb won't be suffering everyday duty anymore!
The RS2 is useful when I need to carry more than one passenger! Now, all I need to do is find some friends....
>> Edited by jeremyc on Friday 1st November 12:17
What's the interior designed like?
One of the things I love about modern Audis is the interior, with leather and alcantara everywhere, no wood, and things like electric seats and climate control.
Crappy as it sounds, I'd have trouble going back to a car with an '80s interior, even if I was getting a lot more performance. It was the interior (beige and brown, with acres of wood) that put me off a 540 a while back.
One of the things I love about modern Audis is the interior, with leather and alcantara everywhere, no wood, and things like electric seats and climate control.
Crappy as it sounds, I'd have trouble going back to a car with an '80s interior, even if I was getting a lot more performance. It was the interior (beige and brown, with acres of wood) that put me off a 540 a while back.
I think it is pretty modern and understated. Mine is very...errr...black: full black leather, black carpets, black dash, black carbon fibre trim. Not a hint of wood anywhere.
NorthernBoy said: What's the interior designed like?
One of the things I love about modern Audis is the interior, with leather and alcantara everywhere, no wood, and things like electric seats and climate control.
If that is a bit too much, then there is an option for alcantara inserts (electric blue or light grey) in the seats and door panels.
Oh and the seats are electric, its got aircon and all the other bits.
>> Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 7th November 15:41
Thanks for posting that. Interior does look nice, but I think I might search out one with the blue alcantara. That's what I had in my S4, and I liked it a lot.
The S4 was a bit of a let down in terms of feel (no problem with go, stop, or grip), and it sounds like the RS2 is perhaps the answer to that problem.
I do like the look of the new RS6, but the physical size of it might put the wife off a bit. Also, if it doesn't offer the level of handling that the RS2 does (and that's very likely to be the case) the extra 30k is a bit too much to pay for the extra 80bhp.
The S4 was a bit of a let down in terms of feel (no problem with go, stop, or grip), and it sounds like the RS2 is perhaps the answer to that problem.
I do like the look of the new RS6, but the physical size of it might put the wife off a bit. Also, if it doesn't offer the level of handling that the RS2 does (and that's very likely to be the case) the extra 30k is a bit too much to pay for the extra 80bhp.
Based on an Audi 80 Avant: basically Audi supplied the base car to Porsche and they worked their magic and built the completed RS2.
Izza said:This is prolly a silly question, but what model is the RS2 based on?
It's not an A4 is it? Something like a 90 or 100 right?
Thanks - yes only 172 RHD ones ever built (I wonder how many are left...) and just over 2000 in total (LHD + RHD).
Izza also said: Anyway, bloody nice car, they're quite rare eh? She looks in great nick. I'd love to have one too.
>> Edited by jeremyc on Friday 8th November 08:35
northernboy said:
I do like the look of the new RS6, but the physical size of it might put the wife off a bit. Also, if it doesn't offer the level of handling that the RS2 does (and that's very likely to be the case) the extra 30k is a bit too much to pay for the extra 80bhp.
I think you will find its an extra 130bhp RS6 is 450 bhp
Absolute power corrupts, absolutely.
northernboy said: I'd thought the RS2 was about 360bhp.
Whether an extra 150bhp is worth an extra 30k is an altogether harder question to answer.
RS2 315bhp (197bhp/tonne), RS4 380bhp (235bhp/tonne), RS6 450bhp (241bhp/tonne).
Of course, there are some simple changes that'll get you 340bhp from your RS2....
>> Edited by jeremyc on Friday 8th November 09:53
Is the whole car different to the S4 then? I know the engine internals are very different, but what about suspension geometry, body panels, interior etc?
I think I'm more likely to chip an S4 than buy an rs4, but that's mainly because I don't want an estate. A 320bhp S4 is certainly slower, but I coulod probably live with that if it meant not having to replace wheels every few months.
I think I'm more likely to chip an S4 than buy an rs4, but that's mainly because I don't want an estate. A 320bhp S4 is certainly slower, but I coulod probably live with that if it meant not having to replace wheels every few months.
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