28 Mar 08
Audi Sport Quattro (1981-1990)
Audi wasn't the first to invent all-wheel drive, nor was it the first to wheel out a production car with the latest technology. However, in the motorsport world Audi was a pioneer. It single-handedly lobbied for all-wheel-drive technology for rally cars. It succeeded and the brand soon dominated the sport with its 'Quattro' - a name it has used ever since on production cars that use 4x4 hardware.
In rallying, the Quattro had mind-blowing traction on slippery surfaces and could cope with the dizzying power outputs generated by its fire-breathing turbocharged motor. It was soon copied by the competition, but few adopted the technology as early on for road use. The 4x4 set-up masked Audi's flawed engineering: the Quattro's engine was too far ahead of the front axle and that compromised handling. The all-wheel-drive system compensated for that and the end-product proved to be composed on the road, yet brutal.
The ultimate expression of the Audi four-wheel-drive road cars was the Sport Quattro. Rally drivers had complained that the standard car (now re-introduced to the public psyche by hit TV series Ashes to Ashes) was too long. So, at great cost Audi performed what can only be described as a 'professional cut and shut job' on the standard long-wheelbase model. So, enter the Sport Quattro. Despite boasting better manoeuvrability, the drivers then complained that the shortened cars were too tricky to drive.
Assets
Rally pedigree, all-wheel-drive handling.
Drawbacks
Tricky on-limit handling.
Verdict
Introduced to the world, the benefits, and joys, of all-wheel drive.
