The new Audi RS4 Avant is shaping up to be an incredible car. We haven’t driven it as of yet but we’re hearing incredible things about it. It’s said to be faster than ever before, more capable than ever before and more as well. But it doesn’t fall into the same trap of being boring, like its RS5 Coupe sibling. Maybe that has to do with the fact that it’s a wagon, so you’re not expecting a fire-breathing sports car like you are with the coupe. Though, because we’re hearing the new RS4 is so good, we thought it good to look back on every RS4 generation (and one non-RS4, technically) to see which one is best.

The first ever “RS” product was the Audi RS2 Avant. While it wasn’t exactly an RS4 Avant, it was the precursor for the RS4, so we’re including it. Plus, Audi put it in the RS4 Avant family photos, so the folks in Ingolstadt apparently think it counts. The RS2 Avant was actually co-developed by Porsche and uses a 2.5 liter turbocharged I5 engine, mated to a six-speed manual and proper Quattro all-wheel drive with a locking rear differential. It was an incredible car, one that was faster than most supercars to 60 mph, thanks to its turbocharged torque and Quattro grip. It was a sensational car and one that really kicked on the RS line of cars.