Audi Quattro and its influence on the world of rally

In the early 1980s, the Audi Quattro hit the rally track and turned the world of motorsport upside down, becoming a true star in rally history. The four-wheel drive system, previously considered too complex and unsuitable for racing, became the gold standard in rallying, and the name quattro became Audi’s calling card.

Audi Sport Quattro in a bright red paint job surrounded by its successors.

All-wheel drive: from a crazy idea to a rally evolution

The idea for the four-wheel drive system originated in the winter of 1976–1977, when Audi engineers were testing the Volkswagen Iltis military SUV in Scandinavia. Due to its astonishing stability and off-road capabilities on snow, it was decided that an all-wheel drive (AWD) system could also be useful in a sports car. When the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) gave the green light to four-wheel drive cars, Audi engineers got to work.

The first professional quattro debut in Europe took place in 1981 at the Jänner Rally in Austria. At first glance, this seemingly unremarkable mass-produced car carried a five-cylinder 302 hp turbo engine and all-wheel drive under the hood – no wonder that the Audi Quattro left all its competitors far behind in this race. A year later, the Audi team entered the World Rally Championship (WRC) and became the favorite the very next year.

From the side it does not look so aerodynamic, but the performance proves it wrong.

Historic victories and championship titles   

The Audi Quattro won its first victory in 1981 at the Swedish Rally, where the AWD system revealed its incredible advantage over its competitors in slippery conditions. In the same year, Michèle Mouton, driving this car, became the first and so far only woman to win the Rallye Sanremo WRC stage. Mouton’s victory was so unexpected that it sparked a debate about gender equality in motorsport.

These victories were just the beginning: in 1982 and 1984, Audi won the manufacturers’ championship, while Hannu Mikkola (1983) and Stig Blomqvist (1984) became world champions. The most famous Quattro drivers – H. Mikkola, S. Blomqvist, W. Röhrl, and M. Mouton – together won 23 WRC victories, establishing the standard for all-wheel drive in the world of rallying.

From the front, the car definitely looks wide.

Triumph at the Pikes Peak race

The Audi Quattro legend was further reinforced after three victories in the Pikes Peak hill climb in the USA. In 1987, Walter Röhrl set a new record with a special Sport quattro S1 model, completing the course in 10 minutes and 47.85 seconds. At that time, most of the Pikes Peak track was covered with pure gravel, which gave the quattro system a huge advantage. Audi Quattro’s victories in these races so impressed Americans that the car’s silhouette was used in promotional posters for the track in the 1990s.

Impact on the automotive industry

The Audi Quattro’s success in motorsport was followed by the Lancia Delta Integrale, Subaru Impreza, and Mitsubishi Evo. It became clear that all-wheel drive was a necessity to win. However, the success of the quattro was not limited to the track – it changed the entire automotive industry. After the success of this model in rallying, all-wheel drive systems became desirable not only in racing cars, but also in mass-produced cars intended for everyday driving. Today, it is difficult to imagine a sporty SUV or a powerful sedan without a smart AWD system – all thanks to Audi’s courage to swim against the tide.

Now, its value is rising as collectors are starting to be interested.

A legendary model in collectors’ garages

For collectors, the Audi Quattro is important for several reasons. First of all, it is a car that “buried” the dominance of rear-wheel drive in rallying and thus made its mark in automotive history. It is also an engineering masterpiece that inspired countless innovations, from gearboxes to aerodynamics. And finally, from M. Mouton’s victory to Röhrl’s record, from snowy rally stages to impressive performances in the mountains, the Quattro has left a deep mark on the entire automotive culture.

From the track to your dream garage

The Audi Quattro is much more than a historic model – it is a car that has shaped today’s automotive industry with its technology and engineering solutions. That is why this car deserves to be included in the #CommodyLegends series – as proof that bold ideas can change the world.