In the International Geneva Motor Show in March 1980 the Audi quattro, a sports coupe with all-wheel drive. His concept caused quite a stir as the transmission system used was only reserved for use in trucks and off-road vehicles.
The idea for this four-wheel-drive car came up in the winter of 1976/77 during test drives of the off-road vehicle. VW polecat, which was being developed by Audi for the German army.
The excellent dynamic qualities of this vehicle on ice and snow led the engineers to the idea of installing the VW Iltis all-wheel drive system in a series-production Audi 80.
The subsequent tests were especially impressive. And the result was a sports car, the Audi Coupe with the name of quattro. Their 200 CV of power came from a more powerful variant of the 2,2-liter five-cylinder turbo engine introduced in the fall of 1979.
The Audi quattro made its racing debut in early 1981 at the Jänner Rally, in Austria. From that moment on, the all-wheel drive qualities of the Ingolstadt vehicle revolutionized the international rally and motor racing scene.
The 40th anniversary of its presentation is reason enough for Audi Tradition, the department dedicated to keeping the brand's legacy alive, re-enact some of its historic Audi quattros, both racing and street, for this season.
Classic events in the Audi Tradition program include the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England (July 9-12), the Eifel Rally Festival in Daun (July 23-25), the Schloss Dyck Classic Days in Jüchen (from July 31 to August 2), the Donau Classic (June 18-20) in Ingolstadt and the Heidelberg Historic (July 9-11) near Neckarsulm; not forgetting the meeting appointment Sachsen Classic at the company's historic Zwickau location (13-15 August).
The brand with the four rings will also be represented on the ascent to Rossfeld in Berchtesgaden (September 25-27), as well as in the Audi RegioSprint in Ingolstadt (April 25) and, for the first time, in the Copenhagen Historical Grand Prix (August 1 and 2).
El Sachsenring Classic, in Hohenstein-Ernstthal (from 8 to 10 May), will also have the presence of a Auto Union Type C and classic motorcycles. The season will be completed with the miniature fairs that will take place in the Audi Forum Neckarsulm (November 8) and in Ingolstadt (November 29).
