Audi Quattro

Lore & Background

The idea for a high-performance four-wheel-drive car came from Audi engineer Jörg Bensinger in 1977, after he observed that the Volkswagen Iltis military vehicle outperformed others in snow tests. An Audi 80 variant was developed with Walter Treser, Director of Pre-Development. The model name 'quattro' is Italian for 'four', reflecting its four-wheel-drive system. The original Quattro is often called the Ur-Quattro, with 'Ur-' being a German augmentative prefix meaning 'original' or 'first of its kind'.

The Quattro shared many parts and platform with the Coupé version of the Audi 80 (B2) and was internally designated Typ 85. Its characteristic flared wheel arches were styled by Martin Smith. The car had independent front and rear suspension. For the 1983 model year, the dashboard received a green digital LCD instrument cluster, changed to orange in 1988. The interior was redesigned in 1984 with a new dashboard, steering wheel, and center console. Exterior styling saw little change overall, with a facelift in 1985 introducing a sloping front grille and new headlights.

The rear suspension was altered early on to reduce lift-off oversteer. For 1984, wheel size increased to 8x15 inches with 215/50-15 tyres, and suspension was lowered 20 mm. In 1987, a Torsen centre differential replaced the manual centre differential lock. The final original Quattro was produced on 17 May 1991.

Reader's Guide

The Audi Quattro's significance lies in its pioneering use of four-wheel drive in rallying, enabled by rule changes that permitted such systems in competition. It won consecutive competitions for two years, establishing a legacy that led Audi to badge all subsequent production four-wheel-drive models with the trademark 'quattro' in lowercase. The car was partially hand-built on a dedicated line, with 11,452 units produced over eleven years with no major visual design changes. In North America, sales began in the 1983 model year, with 664 units sold in the U.S. and 99 in Canada. The Quattro entered an all-wheel-drive market that included the AMC Eagle and the Subaru Leone. Press reviews noted its traction and acceleration on slippery surfaces, with Autocar magazine describing its performance as 'thrilling' and noting that only the Porsche 911 could match its traction in such conditions. The Quattro's combination of a turbocharged engine, permanent four-wheel drive, and rally success cemented its place as a landmark vehicle in automotive history.

Did You Know?

• The idea for the Quattro came after Audi engineer Jörg Bensinger observed the Volkswagen Iltis military vehicle outperforming others in snow tests.
• The original engine was a 2144 cc inline-5 with a turbocharger and intercooler, producing 147 kW.
• Total production from 1980 to 1991 was 11,452 units.
• Only 664 Quattros were sold in the U.S. market.