Audi Quattro

Summary

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Car Info
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Technical Specifications & Achievements

Car Info

The Audi Quattro transformed rallying by introducing permanent four-wheel drive to the World Rally Championship, setting a new standard and forcing the sport into a technological revolution. When Audi debuted the Quattro in 1981, many dismissed four-wheel drive as too heavy and complex - but the German marque’s bold innovation soon proved decisive.

Combining a turbocharged 2.1-litre five-cylinder engine with permanent four-wheel drive, the Quattro produced over 300 bhp in works trim and delivered unrivalled traction on all surfaces. The system allowed drivers to apply power earlier, carry more speed through corners, and dominate loose-surface rallies in a way rear-wheel-drive cars simply couldn't match.

Audi claimed its first manufacturers’ title in 1982, marking the beginning of a new era. After finishing runner-up in 1983, the team returned stronger in 1984, winning the title again and securing the drivers’ crown for Stig Blomqvist. Hannu Mikkola had already taken the 1983 drivers’ title in a Quattro, further cementing the car’s legacy.

With its boxy silhouette, flared arches, and distinctive liveries, the Quattro became an icon. More importantly, it proved that innovation could triumph over tradition. Its success not only reshaped rallying - where four-wheel drive would soon become essential - but also laid the foundations for a generation of high-performance road and competition cars.

Technical Specifications & Achievements

Car Name

Audi Quattro

Chassis

Steel monocoque unibody

Engine

2.1L inline-5 turbocharged (300+ bhp)

Transmission

5-speed manual with permanent quattro AWD

WRC Wins

WRC Manufacturers Titles

2 (1982, 1984)