Page 1 of 2 Next >> Audi revolutionised rallying with the introduction of the all-wheel drive Quattro in 1981. Built to the then current Group 4 regulations, the Quattro propelled Audi to the constructor's World Championship in 1982. To comply with the slightly different and more lenient Group B regulations, the car evolved into the Quattro A1 at the start of the 1983 season.
As before, the A1 was based on the production Quattro and featured a steel monocoque chassis with McPherson struts and wishbones on all four corners. The permanent all-wheel drive or 'Quattro' system was also carried over. This consisted of a central differential fitted inside the gearbox, which distributed the drive to the front and rear axle. The torque was split 50:50 between the front and rear axles.
Also carried over from the original Quattro was the five cylinder, turbocharged engine, which used the latest aluminium block. At 340 bhp it was slightly more powerful than it had been in 1982. Taking the 1.4 equivalency factor into account, the engine's 2,144 cc displacement meant the A1 fell in Group B's four-litre category, which meant the Quattro had to weigh at least 1,100 kg. This initially was not deemed an issue as the big Audi weighed in over the minimum.
Continuous developments during the 1983 season prompted Audi to re-homologate the Quattro once more. Now known as the A2, the second 'new' Quattro in five months featured a slightly smaller engine. With the bore reduced to 85.0 mm, the big turbocharged five cylinder engine now displaced just 2,110 cc, which was sufficient for the Audi to be placed in the under three-litre class. Despite Audi's best efforts, the Quattro A2 was still considerably overweight. Page 1 of 2 Next >>
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Audi revolutionised rallying with the introduction of the all-wheel drive Quattro in 1981. Built to the then current Group 4 regulations, the Quattro propelled Audi to the constructor's World Championship in 1982. To comply with the slightly different and more lenient Group B regulations, the car evolved into the Quattro A1 at the start of the 1983 season.