Quattro (Germany, 1980)

The Audi Quattro was presented at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show. This road and rally car’s name derives from the italian word for ‘four’, which is ‘quattro’, and was chosen because of the car’s four-wheel drive system. The ‘quattro’ nameplate would, subsequently, be used by Audi to co-name all of the brand’s four-wheel drive models. The Audi Quattro can also be called Ur-Quattro, as ‘ur’ is the German prefix for ‘original’.

When the FIA changed the competition rules to begin allowing four-wheel drive cars into racing events, Audi was the first brand to create a rally car that would make use of such system, which was the Quattro. Some upgrade versions were launched throughout this model’s lifespan, which are known as the WR Quattro (earliest version), MB Quattro and RR Quattro (or 20v Quattro). There were also two motorsport versions of the Quattro, specifically built for rallying: the Sport Quattro (with A1 and A2 evolutions) and the Sport Quattro S1.

In its 11 years of existence, over 12 thousand copies of the Audi Quattro were produced: 11.452 of those cars were made in Europe, while 763 units were North American copies. Despite all the upgrades and its long lifespan, the Audi Quattro almost didn’t receive any significant aesthetic change until the end of its production in 1991.

The earliest Audi Quattro copies (1980–87) were powered by a 2.1-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine, which produced up to 197 hp and allowed the car to reach 137 mi/h (220 km/h). A new 2.2-liter engine, with 197 hp as well, was fitted on the Quattro from 1987 until 1989. Then, the 2.2 L powerplant was upgraded to produce 217 hp and the Quattro could now achieve a new top speed at 143 mi/h (230 km/h). It was also capable of going from 0–60 mi/h in 6.9 seconds.

The Audi Quattro has a front engine and a four-wheel drive system, alongside a 5-speed manual transmission.

 

Unitary steel chassis.

Platform

Volkswagen B2 platform.

Suspension

Front and rear MacPherson struts.

Steering

(no data)

Brakes

Front and rear vented discs with single-piston callipers.

The Audi Quattro is a rally car with a 2-door coupe bodywork that was conceived by stylist Martin Smith together with designers Jörg Bensinger, Walter Treser, Dr. Ferdinand Piëch and Franz Tengler (transmission).
The Quattro shares a lot of body parts and essentials with the Audi Coupe.

North American motor magazine “Sports Car International” listed the Audi Quattro in fourth place on their 2004 “Top Sports Cars of the 1980s” list.
The Quattro is also featured in many computer and console car racing games.