What happens when the Germans come together and decide to build something great? Things like our Car of the Week: the Audi RS2 Avant.

The Audi RS2 Avant is not as well remembered as the Audi S4, despite the fact it was the result of a partnership between two of the most prestigious and respected German automakers: Porsche and Audi.

It was based on the standard, run-of-the-mill Audi 80 wagon, but there was nothing ordinary about the resulting product. Porsche designed an intercooler fitted to the RS2’s turbocharger, the brakes were lifted from the Porsche 968, and the fuel pump, front bumper, and indicators came from the 911. It also had improved suspension, a roll bar, and Porsche “Cup” wheels.

The result was a wagon which could do o-60 mph in under 5 seconds, thanks to 306 hp moving the car through Audi’s excellent quattro all-wheel-drive system. Due to high demand, just under 2900 were built, rather than the 2200 that Audi and Porsche originally planned.

It was never meant to replace the quattro and never had much of a racing presence. However, despite the lack of any racing pedigree, it has a cult following of enthusiasts around the world keeping the ones that remain in good working order.

So how much would one of these fine German cars set you back? Well, it’s hard to find any of them outside their homeland Europe, and prices can range from 15,000 Euros ($20,000 USD) for a normal one to 41,500 Euros ($51,500 USD) for one of the exceedingly rare right-hand-drive models. Maintenance could also become a problem, but the same can be said for many German classics.

There you have it: The Audi RS2 Avant, our latest Car of the Week.

Top image and badge image: Benoit Cazenave (1) (2) / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0