The birth of S

These days the Audi S models form an integral part of the brand’s performance lineup, available in many of the model ranges as a more sporty alternative to the A or Q variants depending on the vehicle type.

This year we have seen the Australian release of the latest S3 Sedan and Sportback – significantly dialling up the performance in the A3 range, while the pending arrival of the all-new Audi SQ5 will see the continuation of a legend created back in 2012 when the original SQ5 became the first Q model to wear the coveted S badge.

It’s now 35 years since that S badge first came into existence as a road car, when, back in September 1990 Audi unveiled the Audi S2, the flagship model of the Coupé range, at the British Inter­ national Motor Show in Birmingham. 

Based on the Audi Coupe, the S2 was designed to replace the legendary Audi quattro after a decade of production which very much changed the landscape not only for Audi but for motorsport globally. 

These were some seriously big shoes to fill, with the S2 produced from 1990 until 1995 it was a relatively short period in which to make a name for itself. It was powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged five-cylinder, four-valve engine and originally developed 164kW at 5900rpm. That was enough to see it hit 100km/h from a standing start in just 5.8 seconds which was serious acceleration for 1990 and its top speed of 248km/h was no less impressive.

An update to the engine in 1992 saw that output increased to 170kW at the same 5900rpm and with its ‘overboost’ function which temporarily increased turbo boost pressure, maximum torque surged to 350Nm at just 1950 rpm.

As would be the case for all subsequent S models, power went down to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro system and at the time, a specially-developed six-speed manual transmission transferred power to the wheels.

Compared to the still instantly recognisable Ur Quattros, the S2 was more sedate in terms of its styling, and was available in coupe, sedan and Avant body styles. Sleeker and more aerodynamic (in Coupe form) than its rally-developed forebear, it was also more luxurious and refined in terms of its driving dynamics.

Over the five year period, a total of 7370 S2s were built, with production wrapping up in December 1995.

It would be another decade before Audi would produce another performance coupe powered by the famous  five-cylinder engine – the TT RS. The S2 name remains consigned to history and that relatively brief period in the ’90s, but 35 years down the track, the S badge would, and does, live on across A, Q and e-tron models of the modern Audi range.