It has demanded attention from behind an RS badge since 1994, and thanks to a new five-strong collection of ultra-limited edition Audi Sport road cars all eyes will again be on the fittingly intense shade of blue that perfectly set the tone for the genre-defining Avant RS 2 almost three decades ago.
Nogaro Blue, named after a French race circuit with Grand Prix pedigree, has become something of a hallmark of Audi Sport. To acknowledge its place in the high performance division‘s colourful history the evocative hue forms the basis of new Audi Sport Nogaro Edition versions of the RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupé, RS 5 Sportback, RS 6 Avant and TT RS Coupé. Limited to just 25 UK specification examples apiece, and priced from £67,765 OTR, the very special editions feature an exclusive and exceptionally comprehensive fixed specification, and are now available in the UK for Audi devotees who are sufficiently quick off the mark.
“The Avant RS 2 established the concept of the very high performance estate that remains incredibly popular with Audi Sport customers to this day, and that vivid Nogaro Blue paint finish certainly helped the new genre make an impact,“ commented Director of Audi UK Andrew Doyle. “Here, it has the same effect on five already truly exceptional descendants of that original car, which also gain a particularly impressive specification as part of the Nogaro Edition upgrade. For a lucky few, they offer awe-inspiring Audi Sport pace in an even more desirable and exclusive package.“
In the TT RS, RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Audi Sport Nogaro Edition models the famous pearl effect paint finish is complemented by alloy wheels with a 20-inch diameter, the TT RS Coupé featuring a seven-spoke Rotor design and the RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Coupé and Sportback a five-arm flag style. Imposing 22-inch wheels with a black gloss turned finish mark out the RS 6 Avant Audi Sport Nogaro Edition. All are finished in black and combined with red brake calipers carrying the RS logo.
Also common to all Audi Sport Nogaro Edition models is a styling package that trims various elements such as the front spoiler and the side sill and rear diffuser inserts in matt aluminium, and finishes others, including the door mirrors, the Audi rings and the RS badging in gloss black. The twin oval exhaust tailpipes that are a longstanding RS trademark also appear in black in all cases, signifying the presence of the upgraded Audi Sport exhaust system that provides additional aural impact as part of the package.
Inside, Denim blue stitching edging the fine Nappa leather or Valcona leather-upholstered seats, centre console, instrument cover, steering wheel and floor mats subtly references the Nogaro theme. It also lends a more bespoke air that is heightened by additional leather trim elements covering areas such as the upper instrument panel, door shoulders and centre console, and by an Alcantara finish for the steering wheel and gear lever. The driving environment is also enhanced in every case by a Comfort and Sound pack that adds Bang & Olufsen audio, a 360-degree or rear-specific camera depending on model and the Advanced Key access and authorisation system incorporating hands-free electric tailgate opening.
The 1994 RS 2 Avant from which the new Audi Sport Nogaro Edition models draw inspiration was powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine delivering 315PS, an output which remains competitive to this day. Its DNA lives on in the 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI engine which endows the TT RS Coupé Audi Sport Nogaro Edition with 400PS and the potential to touch 62mph from a standing start in just 3.7 seconds.
A six-cylinder engine sits at the heart of the RS 4 and RS 5 Audi Sport Nogaro Edition models. The 2.9-litre V6 TFSI is good for 450PS and a 4.1-second 0-62mph sprint time in the RS 4 Avant and enables the RS 5 Coupé and Sportback to complete the sprint in 3.9 seconds. Last, but emphatically never least, comes the RS 6 Avant Audi Sport Nogaro Edition with its twin-turbo V8 TFSI and crushing 600PS output – this eight-cylinder titan is appropriately the most explosive off the line, reaching 62mph in just 3.6 seconds.