When the Audi quattro made its debut in 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show, it presented a completely new form of power transmission for a passenger car – all-wheel drive which was light, compact, efficient and torsion-free. This made the quattro principle especially suitable for sporty cars and high-volume production, right from day one. The original quattro, which produced 147 kW (200 hp), underwent many technical modifications but remained as a production model in the range until 1991. In 1984 Audi also added the exclusive Sport quattro which produced 225 kW (306 hp).
The “short quattro”, as it was often lovingly referred to, was brimming with high-performance technology. Its 225 kW/306 hp made it the most powerful German production car of its day. The development engineers managed to strike the perfect balance between a pure sports car offering breathtaking performance and a reliable road vehicle which could also easily be driven in rush-hour traffic.
Technical data
| Engine | In-line 5-cylinder petrol engine with exhaust turbocharging |
| Capacity | 2,133 cc |
| Power | 225 kW / 306 hp at 6,700 rpm |
| Transmission | quattro permanent all-wheel drive |
| Wheelbase | 2,204 mm |