Audi Quattro Digital Render Modern Revival

These days, most enthusiasts know Audi for its legendary R8 supercar, but the German brand wouldn't be where it is today without the Quattro. When the model emerged in 1980, it was an absolute game-changer on account of its all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged inline-five engine. Audi proceeded to dominate rallies for the rest of the decade, winning the World Rally Championship from 1982 to 1984.

Audi logo car grille

Audi

Divisions Audi Sport GmbH

Founded 1909

Founder August Horch

Headquarters Ingolstadt, Germany

And the thing is – the success of the Quattro S1 wasn't limited to off-road competition. Audi campaigned several versions of the car throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, dominating the Pikes Peak Hill Climb for three consecutive years, winning the Trans-Am Series in 1988, and securing two consecutive championship titles for the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) in 1990 and 1991. The Quattro was more than a qualified competitor; it was a revelation. And this rendered revival has us wishing Audi would bring the icon back for another run.

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Audi Quattro Concept Render - 1

Audi itself has designed a series of Quattro-inspired cars in its 2010 and 2013 concepts (not to mention the S1 Hoonitron), so the Four Rings clearly sees some potential in a 21st century revival. This digital render shares similar proportions, though it makes for a much more dramatic take on account of its distinctive styling.

Around the front, you'll find that the grille and headlights carry a design language reminiscent of the e-tron GT, with blacked-out front facsia, an aggressive hood line, and angular lines in the wings. It's a look that gives the Quattro render an intimidating presence, but it also references the design of its Ur-Quattro ancestor. You'll find a similar treatment in the hood scoop, though the render adds further vents inboard from the wheel arches.

The sides of the car bring some of the most dramatic changes to the qu Audi Quattros of old, including deep cuts in the doors and arches as well as some sculpted skirts with integrated side-exiting exhaust. Even still, the profile is remarkably similar to the original, as the roofline faithfully follows the angles despite the softened shape. Riding on some white five-spoke wheels and rounded out by a full-width rear light bar, the result is a Quattro that looks to the future while respecting its origins.

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HotCars / Valnet

Audi's original Quattro featured a turbocharged 2.1-liter inline-five engine making 197 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. While that was more than enough to take the 80s coupe to enormous rallying success, we like to think that Audi would give a modern revival a bit more oomph under the hood. After all, even small hatchbacks and budget commuters have that kind of power these days.

Audi Quattro	2022 Audi TT RS
Engine	Turbocharged 2.1-L Inline-5	Turbocharged 2.5-L Inline-5
Power	197 Horsepower	400 Horsepower
Torque	210 LB-FT	354 LB-FT
0-60 MPH	~6.3 Seconds	3.6 Seconds

Audi

To stay faithful to the Ur-Quattro, let's face it – Audi would need to give a modern revival a five-cylinder of its own. The natural choice would be the turbocharged 2.5-liter block used in the TT RS, the RS3, and the RS Q3, as it's already proven itself to be a performer across several shared models. Though Audi detuned the engine just a touch in the case of the hot Q3, the 400 horses and 354 lb-ft of torque available in the up-spec TT would be plenty for some sideways Quattro shenanigans. Given the industry-wide move to a multi-energy lineup, though, it's also likely that Audi would offer a contemporary Quattro in both ICE and EV variants.