While Audi has become a household name based on its mainstream models, it has also created some extremely rare cars. Alongside other automakers like BMW and Lexus, Audi was among the top 5 best-selling luxury car brands in the U.S. in 2021. In line with its slogan, "Being Ahead through Technology," Audi's history is rich with innovation and evolution. And ahead it has stayed, pushing the frontiers of technology and design, and forcing the competition to play catch up.
Founded more than eleven decades ago, the automaker has come a long way and boasts of cars that are light years away from its first car - the Audi Type A 10/22hp Sport-Phaeton. Currently, Audi's impressive model lineup includes popular nameplates like the Q5, Q7, A6, A3, and the Audi TT RS. However, this article is not about the popular models but rather a ranking of the most exclusive Audis ever made.
10 Audi R8 RWS
Although Audi had built a reputation around its Quattro all-wheel-drive system, when fans of the Audi R8 wanted a rear-wheel-drive version, it was more than happy to oblige. Arriving in 2018, the R8 RWS was lighter and cheaper than its Quattro-equipped sibling and featured a stiffer sport suspension and a recalibrated steering.
Backed by 532 hp supplied by the 5.2-liter V10 power plant, it hits 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and clears the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds. Since Audi only built 999 R8 RWSs, we won't be seeing as many of them as we would like.
9 Audi A1 Quattro
The A1 Quattro, released into the market in 2012, is a more luxuriously equipped special edition of the first-generation Audi A1. It is powered by a 2-liter turbo-4 engine that sends 252 hp through a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual transmission to Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
With this setup, the A1 Quattro sprints to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and flies on to a drag-limited top speed of 152 mph. Unfortunately, most of us will forever be drooling over this smooth-handling mini monster since only 333 units were manufactured.
8 Audi R8 GT V10
Introduced in 2010 for the 2012 model year, the R8 GT is a high-performance variant of the R8 V10 coupe with a limited production run of 333 units. Unlike in the standard car, power is supplied by a 5.2-liter V10 engine hooked to a 6-speed R-Tronic automated manual transmission and the Quattro 4-wheel-drive system.
With 552 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque on tap, the GT hits 62 mph in 3.6 seconds while the quarter-mile flashes by in 11.5 seconds. Compared to the standard R8 coupe, the GT is faster, lighter, and more fun to push around.
7 Audi S2 4-Door Sedan
The first Audi to wear the "S" sport badge was the S2 built on the Audi 80 platform by the Quattro GmbH division from 1991 till 1995. Originally, the S2 was powered by a 2.2-liter turbocharged inline-5 engine that sent 217 hp to the 4 wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission.
In 1993, power was bumped to 227 hp with a 6-speed manual transmission, and the S2 could hit 62 mph in 5.8 seconds and top out at 153 mph. A limited-production (306 units) 4-door sedan version also joined the lineup in 1993.
6 Audi Sport Quattro
The Audi Sport Quattro was a Group B homologation special that was based on the legendary Audi Quattro coupe. However, the Sport Quattro sported a shorter wheelbase, an all-new suspension, a steeper windshield rake, and an antilock braking system that could be flipped on or off.
It was powered by a turbocharged 2.1-liter I-5 engine, rated at 302 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, that produced a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. With only 214 Sport Quattros produced, only a privileged few will ever get to enjoy the power and driving dynamics of this riot on four wheels.
5 Audi R8 E-Tron
Following the unveiling of the R8 e-Tron concept in 2009, Audi began developing the production version in 2010 and unveiled a prototype at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. With one of the earliest prototypes setting a Nurburgring lap record in 2012, the future was bright.
When it finally arrived in 2015, the R8 e-Tron was powered by two electric motors that produced 456 hp and 678 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the e-Tron, which could hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, was pulled after one year and a production run of fewer than 100 cars.
4 Audi A8 L W12 Exclusive Concept
Trust Audi to redefine exclusivity and extend the bounds of luxury by turning the already exclusive long-wheelbase Audi A8 into a more luxurious land yacht. Power is supplied by a 6.3-liter W12 power mill with an output of 493 hp and 463 lb-ft of torque.
Agatha cognac-colored aniline leather upholstery, white Alcantara headlining, and deep pile carpeting are some of the luxury features in the opulent cabin. Boasting Audi's long list of electro nannies, the stretch Audi also rewards drivers with good driving dynamics - it's a shame that only 50 units were produced.
3 Audi R8 Green Hell Edition
Yet another special-edition R8, the motorsport-inspired Green Hell Edition, was built to celebrate Audi's many successes at the Nurburgring race track. For motivation, it relies on the same 5.2- liter V10 engine, transmission, and all-wheel-drive system found in the standard R8 V10 Performance.
Good for 612 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, or shoots the Green Hell to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of 206 mph. The Green Hell, distinguished by its 20-inch matte black wheels with red accents, has a limited production run of 50 cars.
2 Audi TT RS 40 Years Of Quattro
In 2020, Audi launched the TT RS 40 Years of Quattro, a special edition to celebrate 40 years since the debut of the game-changing Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Power is supplied by the award-winning 2.5-liter TFSI I-5 engine hooked to a 7-speed S-Tronic gearbox and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
With 394 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque to play with, the special edition can accelerate to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and max out at 174 mph. Unfortunately, this Alpine white-painted beauty was produced in a limited run of 40 cars for the German market.
1 Audi R8 V10 Plus Selection 24h
To celebrate the R8 LMS's victory at the 2015 24 Hours of Nürburgring, Audi built a limited-production (24 cars) special edition based on the R8 V10 Plus. Like the standard car, the Selection 24h is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 mill that lays down 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
With that combination, it can comfortably hit 60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph given enough road. Apart from cosmetic upgrades like a tricolor paint job and a set of 10-spoke forged alloy rims, it also boasts dynamic steering and adaptive magnetic dampers to enhance performance.