The 1983 Audi Sport Quattro
Why It's Special:
Built as a homologation special for Group B rallying, the 1983 Audi Sport Quattro introduced the world to high performance four-wheel drive motoring. The race version enjoyed bountiful success and scored many victories in the famed series that was eventually deemed, “Too Fast to Race”.
Over the three year production run, 214 road going examples were built, however only 175 were actually sold to private owners and made it onto European highways. The combination of blistering performance, rarity and a storied motorsports heritage makes the Sport Quattro arguably the single most desirable Audi ever produced.
The lucky few with the opportunity to purchase one chose from red, white, blue or green exterior paired with competition style wheels. Reportedly two cars were finished in black, one of which was purchased by rally legend Walter Rohrl, the “Genius on Wheels”.
Under the Hood:
The technology packed into the Sport Quattro was groundbreaking and certainly many years ahead of its time. Keeping weight at a minimum was crucial and as a result the body was constructed from advanced materials including fiberglass, carbon fiber and Kevlar.
To keep the driver firmly planted in one place custom Recaro racing seats came as standard equipment. The advanced Quattro all wheel drive system employed a 55/45% front to rear torque split, which could be locked with a switch on the dashboard.
Handling the stopping duties was a braking system that featured ABS, discs on all corners and 4-piston calipers. Under the hood lied a 2.1 liter inline-5 cylinder, DOHC 20-valve engine, complete with a lightweight alloy block and cylinder head. Providing the boost was a KKK-K27 turbo, sending 1.2 bar (17 psi) of intercooled air into the combustion chambers.
The result was monstrous power levels, 306 horsepower at 6500 rpm, and for competition the engine was easily tunable to over 500 horsepower. Coupled with a curb weight of just 2807 pounds the Sport Quattro reached 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and flat out would hit 155 mph. When you consider this car has the aerodynamic profile of a brick, the performance numbers are even more impressive.
The Verdict:
The Sport Quattro really was the complete package, excelling in all areas of performance and it certainly showcased the technical abilities of Audi, establishing a tradition that continues to this day.
// Continue to the 1980 Renault 5 Turbo Vehicle Overview //