Audi Quattro
Development history up to 1985
The genesis of the Audi quattro can be traced back to the tests in Scandinavia in 1977.
Test manager Jörg Bensinger found that the military VW Iltis outperformed all development vehicles thanks to its all-wheel drive.
He convinced Ferdinand Piëch to create a road coupe with a turbocharged five-cylinder engine and permanent all-wheel drive. In 1978, the first 160 hp prototype was born and immediately impressed the Volkswagen management.
In March 1980, the Audi quattro was presented at the Geneva Motor Show and immediately became a sensation. It was the first production car to combine a powerful turbo engine with permanent all-wheel drive.
Evolution of the model and technical basis until 1985
The quattro was produced from 1980 to 1991 with only slight exterior modifications, but many technical improvements. Originally equipped with red taillights, small headlights and purely mechanical differential locks, it received over time equipment such as ABS, pneumatic locks and wider rims.
The 1985 model year represents the classic Urquattro 10V, which already benefited from several improvements, including:
• improved self-locking different
• ABS from the 1984 series
• wheels widened to 8J from 1984
• optimization of the glage of the châssis
These developments were a direct result of the experience gained in rallying and the development work of the Audi engineers.
Technical data of the Audi quattro (1985)
In 1985, the quattro still used the famous five-cylinder turbo engine (engine code WR) with the following characteristics:
• Cylinder: 2,144 cc
• Power: 200 hp at 5,500 rpm
• Torque: 285 Nm at 3,500 rpm
• Power supply: Bosch K-Jetronic
• Turbocharger: KKK K26
• BoGear island: 5-speed manual
• Transmission: permanent integral, manually lockable differentiators
• Top speed: approx. 221–222 km/h
• 0–100 km/h: approx. 7.3–7.5 s
The quattro offered performance comparable to that of a Porsche, while offering superior traction and better ease of use on a daily basis.
Bodywork, interior and design in 1985
The quattro retained its characteristic silhouette throughout its production:
• wedge-shaped line
• widely enlarged fenders
• large glass surfaces
• three doors, five seats
• dimensions: 4,404 mm long, 1,723 mm wide, 1,344 mm high
The interior had a decidedly sporty style: circular instrumentation, deep bucket seats, robust materialsand high-quality workmanship. Despite its sporty orientation, it offered good comfort of use for the time.
Chassis and handling (in 1985)
The quattro's chassis was based on a self-supporting steel body, with:
• McPherson struts front and rear
• Heavy-duty wishbones
• Relatively firm adjustment
Tests at the time described the chassis as decidedly sporty and with exceptional traction – a quality also later emphasised by world champion Walter Röhrl.
The combination of the powerful turbo engine and all-wheel drive made the quattro particularly capable in bad weather, a major selling point.
Rally success and importance in 1985
Until 1985, the quattro was already a true motorsport legend:
• Constructors' World Championship: 1982 and 1984
• World Drivers' Championship: 1983 and 1984
These victories had a direct influence on the production model, with many technical solutions being adopted almost unchanged.
1985 was also the time of the ultimate rally versions: the Sport quattro and then the S1, developed in parallel with the production of series (from 342 hp to more than 500 hp).
The 1985 Audi quattro in its historical context
The year 1985 represents the golden age of the Urquattro:
• The initial problems were solved.
• The 10-valve technology was perfectly mastered.
• The vehicle was already a cult object – then and now.
• Its integrated transmission became a central element of the Audi identity.
Audi called the quattro "a new dimension of driving," and the specialized press praised its integral drivetrain system as revolutionary.
Conclusion
The 1985 model year Audi quattro was a technically accomplished and advanced sports coupé that set new standards with its permanent all-wheel drive, powerful turbo engine and precise chassis.
Its rally successes, combined with its everyday ability, make it one of the most important sports cars of the 1980s and one of the most iconic models in Audi's history.
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