Background
The Quattro story began in 1976 when Volkswagen approached Audi with a request to build a number of prototype four wheel drive vehicles for consideration by the German army. The chosen four-wheel drive vehicle ran rings around the top spec Audi 100 during winter testing in Norway. As a result, Audi discussed the feasibility of fitting a four-wheel drive system into one of their mainstream vehicles. The first test vehicle was a naturally aspirated 115bhp Audi A80, which soon had an improved 2.1 ltr turbo engine from the new Audi 100.
Audi now had a secretly proven four-wheel drive car, mated to a powerful turbo charged engine but no arena to show it off as the WRC rules at the time specifically banned four-wheel drive cars from competing. Therefore, discussions between Audi, the FIA and the other constructors were held and as the only four-wheel drive vehicle that Audi apparently had was the Iltis the rules were swiftly relaxed to allow the “75bhp Army Truck” to compete. You can imagine their shock when the Audi Quattro Coupe was unveiled to the world at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show.
The Quattro rally car was homologated into Group 4 on the 1st January 1981, making its WRC debut on the Monte Carlo Rally in the hands of Hannu Mikkola. The car’s performance over the first eight stages caused teams to cry foul as in the icy and snowy conditions the car left the field in its blizzard. Unfortunately, due to the team’s inexperience and the newness of the car both works cars failed to finish the event. The next event was Rally Sweden which went much better and saw Hannu collect his first win in a Quattro and perhaps more importantly the birth of a legend.
1983 saw the Quattro modified to Group B regulations, with the first incarnation being the A1 launched in January. The ‘A’ signifies the fact that the cylinder block was constructed from Aluminium having previously been constructed from Iron. The A2 followed shortly afterwards and saw the engine capacity reduced from 2,144 cc to 2,109cc, which meant that the Quattro could compete in the up to 3 ltr class (after the turbo factoring was considered) and so benefit from a reduction of 140kgs in minimum car weight.
This Car
BPC11Y, was converted from a genuine 1983 Audi Quattro by AM Cars Motorsport Ltd. The car has been built to a high standard using many original parts, a 20 Valve 5-cylinder turbocharged engine with 430 BHP. This car has been extensively used in many hill climbs and sprints as well as being demonstrated at many events in the UK and overseas.
Technical Specification
Engine: Five-cylinder, 2.1ltr, four valves per cylinder
Induction: Fuel Injected, Turbocharged
Transmission: 4WD
Power output: 370bhp