Audi Quattro
Audi Quattro B2 (85) Kerb weight | 1,290 kg (2,844 lb) to 1,350 kg (2,976 lb) | |
---|---|---|
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Audi 100 Coupé S | |
Successor | Audi S2 |
The Audi Quattro is a road and
Production continued through 1991.Background
The word quattro is derived from the Italian word for "four" to represent the fact that the vehicle delivers power to all four wheels. The name has also been used by Audi to refer to the quattro four-wheel-drive system, or any four-wheel-drive version of an Audi model. The original Quattro model is also commonly referred to as the Ur-Quattro - the "Ur-" (German for "primordial", "original", or "first of its kind") is an augmentative prefix. The idea of such a car came from the Audi engineer Jörg Bensinger.
The Audi Quattro was the first rally car to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules that allowed the use of four-wheel drive in competition racing. It won consecutive competitions for the next two years.[4] To commemorate the success of the original vehicle, all subsequent Audi production automobiles with this four-wheel-drive system were badged with the trademark quattro with a lower case "q" letter.
The Audi Quattro shared many parts and platform with the Coupé version of the Audi 80 (B2).[4] The quattro was internally designated Typ 85, a production code it shared with the quattro versions of the Audi Coupé. Its characteristic flared wheelarches were styled by Martin Smith. The Audi Quattro also had independent front and rear suspension.[5][6]
Production history
The idea for a high-performance four-wheel-drive car was proposed in 1977 by Audi's chassis engineer, Jörg Bensinger, after he found that the Volkswagen Iltis military vehicle could outperform other vehicles when tested in the snow. An Audi 80 variant was developed in co-operation with Walter Treser, Director of Pre-Development.[7][8]
European market
The original
The
The engine was eventually modified to a 2,226 cc (136 cu in) inline-5 with 10 valves, still generating 147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp), but with peak torque lower in the rev-range.
The Quattro was partially hand-built on a dedicated line.
Exterior styling received little modification during the Quattro's production run. Originally, the car had a flat front grille featuring four separate headlamp lenses, one for each of the low and high beam units. This was altered for the 1983 model year with combined units featuring a single lens housing twin reflectors. This was changed again, for the 1985 model year, in what has become known as the 'facelift model' and included such alterations as a new sloping front grille, headlights, and trim and badging changes.[2] The 20V RR Quattro also featured a new three-spoke steering wheel design, leather trim for door arm rests, gloveboxes, centre console and door pockets. There was also a full length leather-wrapped centre console running all the way to the rear seats and 'quattro' script on the interior with partial leather seats. The floor on the driver's side had a bulge due to dual catalytic exhaust setup. The different models may be distinguished by the emblems on their boot lids: the WR had a vinyl 'quattro' decal or a brushed aluminium effect plastic emblem, the MB had chrome plated 'Audi', 'Audi rings' and 'quattro' emblems, whilst the RR had only chrome plated 'Audi rings'.
The rear suspension was altered early on with geometry changes and removal of the rear anti-roll bar to reduce a tendency for lift-off oversteer. For the 1984 facelift, the wheel size went from 6x15-inch with 205/60-15 tyres to 8x15-inch wheels with 215/50-15 Pirelli Cinturato P5 tyres. At the same time the suspension was lowered by 20 mm with slightly stiffer springs for improved handling. For 1987, the Torsen centre differential was used for the first time, replacing the manual centre differential lock.[4]
The last original Audi Quattro was produced on 17 May 1991, more than two years after the first models of the new Audi Coupé (8B) range (based on the 1986 Audi 80) had been introduced.[10]
North American market
Sales of the Quattro in
The North American Quattro was manufactured concurrently and were of the same design as their European 1982 model year counterparts (they did not include the minor cosmetic changes of the 1983 European model) and continued through 1986. Total sales in the U.S. totalled 664 units. The Canadian market cars were identical to the U.S. version with exception of the speedometer, which was metric. Official sales figures for Canada were 99 units, which included 61 sold in 1983, 17 sold in 1984, 18 sold in 1985, and 3 sold in 1986.
The U.S./Canadian cars were equipped with larger impact bumpers with built-in shock absorbers, like the rest of the 4000/Coupé models. They did not have
The initial 2.1 L (2,144 cc, engine code "WX") engine for U.S./Canadian models included minor component and engine control unit (ECU) changes, lowered turbocharger boost pressure, different camshaft, as well as emission controls that consisted of a catalytic converter and fuel control giving a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, lowering power output to 160 hp (119 kW; 162 PS). Other mechanical specifications were identical to the European market vehicles. The WX engine was also utilized in Swiss and Japanese market cars. Audi built 200 special edition cars in 1988 with the WX engine and analogue instrument cluster, with everything else identical to the MB model of that year.
Press reviews
In May 1981,
Audi quattro Spyder concept (1991)
The Audi quattro Spyder was a mid-engine coupé equipped with a 2.8-litre V6 engine taken from the Audi 100. The engine was rated at 174 PS (128 kW; 172 hp) and 181 lb⋅ft (245 N⋅m) of torque. The car was a rolling test bed for a future mid-engine sports car and featured a 5-speed manual gearbox, a modified version for the quattro four-wheel-drive system, aluminium body panels with a tubular steel space frame, 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) kerb weight and a suspension system with trapezoidal links. All of the unique features depicted in the concept car would find their way in future Audi production vehicles.
The car was production-ready and garnered a lot of acclaim from both the motoring press and prospective buyers but due to the economic downturn of the 1990s, Audi decided not to press ahead with the project as the demand would not outweigh the development costs for the model.
The concept car was unveiled at the
Audi quattro concept (2010)
At the
The concept utilised
The Quattro four-wheel-drive system used in the concept was a rear-biased design utilising a two-stage differential distributing power front and aft through planetary gears.
The concept utilised carbon-ceramic braking system for improved stopping power. The car had a claimed 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) acceleration time of 3.8 seconds.
It was reported that Audi was considering a limited production model (200–500 cars) based on the quattro concept. However, the idea of production was scrapped in favour of expanding the company's crossover range.[18][19]
Audi Sport quattro concept (2013)
The Audi Sport quattro concept was unveiled at the
Power is from a 4.0 TFSI V8 engine rated at 560 PS (412 kW; 552 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft), along with a disc-shaped electric motor rated at 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) and 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) (for combined a power output of 700 PS (515 kW; 690 hp) and 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft)), mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission. A liquid-cooled 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery is located at the rear, and the range is claimed up to 50 km (31 mi) on electric power alone.
At the
Motorsport
Quattro - A1 and A2 evolutions
Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 Kerb weight | 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) | |
---|---|---|
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Audi Sport Quattro |
The original Audi Quattro competition car debuted in 1980, first as a development car, and then on a formal basis in the 1980
The Quattro A1 debuted at the
In 1988, the Audi Ur-Quattro driven by Audi Tradition driver Luciano Viaro won the 13th Silvretta Classic Montafon.[25]
Sport Quattro
The
The car in competition form also featured a body shell composed of
and wider wheel arches, wider wheels (nine inches as compared to the Ur-Quattro's optional 8-inch-wide (200 mm) wheels), the steeper windscreen rake of the Audi 80 (requested by the Audi Sport rally team drivers to reduce internal reflections from the dashboard for improved visibility) and, most noticeably, a 320 mm (12.6 in) shorter wheelbase.In addition to Group B competition in rallying, the Sport Quattro won the 1985 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with Michèle Mouton in the driving seat, setting a record time in the process.[28] 224 cars in total of this "short version" Sport Quattro were built, and were offered for sale for DM 203,850.[4]
Sport Quattro S1 E2
The Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 was introduced at the end of 1985 as an update to the Audi Sport Quattro S1. The car featured an
In addition to the improved power output, an aggressive aerodynamic kit was added that featured very distinctive wings and spoilers at the front and rear of the car to increase
The S1 E2 made its debut at the 1985 Rally Argentina, with Blomqvist driving. This variant was successful in the rally circuit, with Röhrl
Sport Quattro RS 002
Audi Sport Quattro RS 002 - Sports prototype "
The car has a
Specifications: Kerb weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
Engine: 2,100 cc (2.1 L) I5
Power: 700 PS (515 kW; 690 hp)
Top speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
Dimensions: Length 4,500 mm, Width 1,900 mm, Height 1,020 mm.
WRC results
Summary
Season | Model(s) | Driver | Pos. | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|
1981
|
Audi Quattro | Hannu Mikkola (3º) • Michèle Mouton (8ª) | 5ª | 63 |
1982
|
Audi Quattro | Michèle Mouton (2ª) • Hannu Mikkola (3º) • Stig Blomqvist (4º) | 1ª | 116 |
1983
|
Audi Quattro A1 and Audi Quattro A2 | Hannu Mikkola (1º) • Stig Blomqvist (3º) • Michèle Mouton (5ª) | 2ª | 116 |
1984
|
Audi Quattro A2 and Audi Sport Quattro S1 | Stig Blomqvist (1º) • Hannu Mikkola (2º) • Walter Röhrl (11º) • Michèle Mouton(12ª) | 1ª | 120 |
1985
|
Audi Sport Quattro S1 | Stig Blomqvist (2º) • Walter Röhrl (3º) • Hannu Mikkola (22º) | 2ª | 126 |
1986
|
Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 | Hannu Mikkola (18º) • Walter Röhrl (22º) | 4ª | 29 |
WRC victories
# | Event | Season | Driver | Co-driver | Version |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 31st International Swedish Rally | 1981
|
Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro |
2 | 23º Rallye Sanremo
|
1981 | Michèle Mouton | Fabrizia Pons | Audi Quattro |
3 | 30th Lombard RAC Rally
|
1981 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro |
4 | 32nd International Swedish Rally | 1982
|
Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Quattro |
5 | 16º Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto
|
1982 | Michèle Mouton | Fabrizia Pons | Audi Quattro |
6 | 29º Acropolis Rally
|
1982 | Michèle Mouton | Fabrizia Pons | Audi Quattro |
7 | Rally of Brazil | 1982 | Michèle Mouton | Fabrizia Pons | Audi Quattro |
8 | 32º 1000 Lakes Rally | 1982 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro |
9 | 24º Rallye Sanremo
|
1982 | Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Quattro |
10 | 31st Lombard RAC Rally
|
1982 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro |
11 | 33rd International Swedish Rally | 1983
|
Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro A1 |
12 | 17º Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto
|
1983 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro A1 |
13 | 3º Marlboro Rally Argentina San Carlos de Bariloche | 1983 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro A2 |
14 | 33º 1000 Lakes Rally | 1983 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro A2 |
15 | 32nd Lombard RAC Rally
|
1983 | Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Quattro A2 |
16 | 52ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo
|
1984
|
Walter Röhrl | Christian Geistdörfer | Audi Quattro A2 |
17 | 34th International Swedish Rally | 1984 | Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Quattro A2 |
18 | 18º Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto
|
1984 | Hannu Mikkola | Arne Hertz | Audi Quattro A2 |
19 | 31º Acropolis Rally
|
1984 | Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Quattro A2 |
20 | 14º Sanyo Rally of New Zealand | 1984 | Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Quattro A2 |
21 | 4º Marlboro Rally of Argentina YPF Cordoba | 1984 | Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Quattro A2 |
22 | 16ème Rallye "Marlboro" Côte d'Ivoire | 1984 | Stig Blomqvist | Björn Cederberg | Audi Sport Quattro S1 |
23 | 27º Rallye Sanremo
|
1985
|
Walter Röhrl | Christian Geistdörfer | Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 |
In popular culture
A red 1983 Quattro was driven by
In the run-up to the 2010 general election, a campaign poster by the incumbent Labour Party government portrayed Conservative Party and opposition leader David Cameron as Gene Hunt sitting on the bonnet of the iconic red Audi Quattro and urged voters not to allow Cameron to take Britain "back to the 1980s" by electing his party into government amid fears that it would lead to a repeat of the social unrest and unemployment that Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government of that era oversaw. The image was then adopted by the Conservatives, with the slogan "Fire up the Quattro, it's time for change",[32] with the comment 'Idea kindly donated by the Labour Party'. "Fire up the Quattro" was a call to action uttered by DCI Hunt in Ashes to Ashes.
See also
- AMC Eagle, the first mass-produced all-wheel-drive car introduced in August 1979
- Audi S and RS models
- Jensen FF, the first all-wheel-drive road car, introduced in 1966
References
Notes
- ^ a b "25 Years of Audi quattro" (Press release). Audi of America Press Site. 22 February 2005. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ ISBN 0-910714-17-7.
- ^ a b Achorn, George (16 March 2005). "Audi Tradition at the Techno Classica 2005". Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "25 Years of Audi Quattro" (Press release). Audi of America Press Site. 22 February 2005. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "1984 Audi Quattro Treser Coupé". Motorbase. 19 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Drive: 1982-1985 Audi Quattro". Motortrend.com. October 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "History of the Audi ur-Quattro". Isham-research.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Audi history 80s" (PDF). audi.co.uk. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ Pawel Zal (ed.). "1983 Audi Quattro Sport". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
- ^ "Audi Quattro". Retro Car Icons. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ Severson, Aaron (23 October 2013). "Legend of the Quattro". Autoweek. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ Jacobs, Ed (September 1979). "4WD AMC Eagle - passenger comfort, all-weather capability". Popular Science. 215 (3): 90–91. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ Sass, Rob (9 March 2008). "A Breed of 4-by-4 Hatched on the Fly". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ Taylor, Rich (December 1983). "4 WD Ski Cars". Skiing. 36 (4): 36, 38–39. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Concept Cars: Audi Quattro Spyder". Diseno-art.com. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ Adams, Keith (7 July 2013). "Friday concept: Audi Quattro Spyder". Classics.honestjohn.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- Car & Driver. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ Kable, Greg (8 October 2010). "Audi to build reborn Quattro". Autocar. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ Ireson, Nelson (10 March 2012). "Audi Kills Quattro Sports Car In Favor Of Crossover Coupe". MotorAuthority. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ Paukert, Chris (10 September 2013). "Audi Sport Quattro Concept speaks softly, carries a 700-hp stick". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Audi Sport quattro concept" (Press release). Audi-mediaservices.com. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "2014 Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept Review". Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Audi Sport Quattro S1". Rally Paradise. Archived from the original on 2 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ Holmes, Martin (11 July 1985). "The Sport's evolution". Autosport. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Audi ur-quattro and R8 e-tron win the Silvretta Classic and E-Auto Rally" (Press release). Audi-mediaservices.com. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "1983 - 1984 Audi Sport Quattro". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ^ "1983 Audi Quattro Sport". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ^ "Pikes Peak records shattered". The Post and Courier. 14 July 1985. p. 3-C. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ "Audi quattro Mid-Engine (Gr.B Proto) & Audi Sport quattro RS "002" (Gr.S Proto) | Rally Group B Shrine". Rally Group B Shrine. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
- ^ "img38/320/audi3u.jpg". imageshack.us. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Luigis • View topic - My 3.8 filming photos". Luigis.org.uk. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Gene Hunt poster sparks propaganda battle". BBC News. 3 April 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
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- Garton, Nick (2019). Audi Quattro Rally Car: 1980 to 1987 (includes Group 4 & Group B rally cars) – An insight into the design, engineering and competition history of Audi's iconic rally car. Enthusiasts' Manual series. Sparkford, Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing. ISBN 9781785212505.
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- ——————— (2007). Audi Quattro: A celebration of the world's first 4x4 coupé. Haynes Great Cars series. Sparkford, Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing. ISBN 9781844253302.
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External links
- Evolution of the models Audi quattro, 1980-1991: English,German
- Audi Quattro Sport S1