The incredible success of the modern-day Audi brand ultimately stems from this pivotal high-performance coupé, which was credited not only with revolutionising top-level rallying but also with having a genuinely transformative influence on the dynamic parameters of road cars.
The essence of the quattro was of course the ground-breaking quattro all-wheel-drive system with its lockable central and rear differentials, which was inspired by technology originally designed for a Volkswagen military vehicle. It was arguably the first of its kind to be sufficiently light, compact and efficient for use in high performance series production road cars, thanks largely to its ingenious hollow shaft design which rendered additional drive shafts and heavy transfer cases obsolete. The surefooted roadholding delivered by the quattro was a revelation on road and rally stage, and was accentuated by power steering and disc brakes all round, with ventilation for the front pair.
Thankfully the remarkable drivetrain was complemented by an engine with similar star qualities – a 2.1-litre five-cylinder developed from a unit originally used by the Audi 200. With two valves per cylinder and a KKK turbocharger, it elevated performance to a level that did justice to the car’s rakish lines.
Our 1981 example is equipped to the UK specification offered at the model’s launch, but was produced before right-hand-drive development had begun.
Technical information
- Cylinders – five in-line
- Displacement – 2144cc
- Power – 200PS @ 5500rpm
- Torque – 285Nm @ 3500rpm
- Max speed 138mph
- 0-62mph in 7.1 secs
- Transmission – five-speed manual
- quattro all-wheel drive
- Weight – 1300kg
Documents
AI generated
The Audi Quattro 10V refers to early versions of the original Audi Quattro (also known as the Ur-Quattro) equipped with the 10-valve inline-5 turbocharged engine. This car is legendary for introducing permanent all-wheel drive to the world of performance road cars and revolutionizing rallying. In short, the Audi Quattro 10V was a groundbreaking vehicle that brought high-performance all-wheel drive to the masses, establishing a strong foundation for the Audi brand and leaving a lasting legacy in the world of motorsport and automotive engineering.
Engine & Performance
- Engine: 2.1L or 2.2L turbocharged inline-5
- Valvetrain: 10-valve SOHC (2 valves per cylinder)
- Power output: 2.1L WR (1980–1987): ~200 PS (197 hp / 147 kW)
- 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): ~6.7–7.1 seconds
- Top Speed: Around 220 km/h (137 mph)
Drivetrain
- Quattro permanent AWD system (lockable center and rear diffs in early models)
- 5-speed manual gearbox (later some had a 6-speed)
- Rally-derived dynamics with a rear-biased balance
10V vs. 20V
The 10V cars were replaced in 1989 by the Quattro 20V (engine code RR), which featured a DOHC 20-valve head, better performance (~220 hp), and more refinement.
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