Audi Quattro review

Audi Quattro Overview

If every interesting car needs a back story the Audi Quattro has one spanning several fascinating chapters, be that the original sign-off from Ferdinand Piech to the game-changing introduction of four-wheel drive to rallying (and famous wins off the back of it for Michelle Mouton, Stig Blomqvist and Walter Röhrl) or the mainstreaming of turbocharging into modern performance cars.

The Audi Quattro is the original turbocharged, four-wheel-drive Audi coupé that changed both rallying and performance road cars after its launch at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show.

Combining a five-cylinder turbo engine with permanent four-wheel drive at a time when most performance cars were rear-wheel drive, it’s easy to see why it grabbed attention back in the 80s, and why it’s still so popular now. For buyers, its appeal is obvious: rarity, motorsport pedigree, distinctive styling, huge wet-road traction and that characterful five-cylinder soundtrack.

The caution is equally clear, as the Audi Quattro is a specialist classic car now, and examples in poor condition can be expensive to put right. You’ll sometimes see it referred to as the Ur-Quattro, to separate it from later Audi models fitted with quattro all-wheel drive, but this guide will just be calling it the Audi Quattro.

When was the Audi Quattro produced?

The original Audi Quattro was produced from 1980 until 1991 in Ingolstadt, Germany, where Audi built nearly 11,500 of them, which makes the Quattro rare but not unobtainable.

Production of the Quattro was not a mass-market model in the usual sense, with relatively low numbers created and each being partly hand-finished, which is one reason the originality, body condition, and correct trim matter so much to Quattro owners today.

What changes were made to the Audi Quattro over the years?

The Quattro changed gradually throughout production, rather than dramatically. Early WR cars used a 2.1-litre 10-valve turbocharged five-cylinder engine, and in 1983 Audi updated the lighting, replacing the earlier four-lens front arrangement with combined headlamp units.

Interior changes followed, including digital instruments and revised switchgear.

In 1984 and 1985, Audi made further styling and chassis updates, including a sloping grille, revised trim, wider wheels and suspension changes.

1987 saw the MB engine arrive with a 2.2-litre 10-valve unit and Torsen centre differential, making the car easier to use than the earlier manually locked system. The boot lid also changed from metal to plastic around this period.

Produced from 1989 to 1991, the final and arguably most desirable mainstream version of the Audi Quattro is the RR 20-valve, which used a 2.2-litre 20-valve turbo engine and is the most developed road-going Quattro.

What are the most popular specifications for the Audi Quattro?

In terms of standard road cars, the most sought-after are usually the later Audi Quattro MB and RR 20-valve models. The MB is desirable because it gained the Torsen centre differential and improved usability, while the RR 20V is the most powerful and developed version of the long-wheelbase Ur-Quattro.

Early WR cars are also loved for their purity and period feel, but they require buyers to be more accepting of older technology and harder-to-source details. The Sport Quattro is the ultimate collector model, but its values and rarity put it beyond the normal buyer’s market.

For most enthusiasts, a solid, original WR, MB or RR with strong history is the sensible target.

What should I look for when buying an Audi Quattro?

It’s generally recommended that you should look to buy an Audi Quattro based on its body condition, originality, and history.

Check the sills, arches, floor, bulkhead, windscreen surround, boot area, suspension mounts and underside carefully. An honest owner shouldn’t have a problem with you doing this and helping you to access difficult to reach areas. Be sure to look for accident repairs, poor paintwork, filler and non-standard panels.

Mechanically, listen for exhaust manifold ticking from cold, check for oil and coolant leaks, confirm the turbo boosts cleanly and make sure the drivetrain feels tight. The brakes, suspension and steering should feel composed, not vague or tired. Interior trim, instruments and correct model details matter because replacements can be hard to find.

Modified cars are not automatically bad, but originality is important to the overall value, and you’ll want to ensure that any upgrades or mods have been carried out to a high standard.

Generally speaking, specialist inspection is strongly recommended if you’ve not owned a Quattro or similar before.

Where does the Audi Quattro tend to rust?

Common rust areas include the sills, wheelarches, lower doors, front wings, floorpan, boot floor, suspension mounting points, windscreen surround and bulkhead areas. Earlier cars with metal boot lids can rust there too, while later plastic boot lids avoid that specific issue but can be costly to repair if damaged.

Check behind trim, around bodykit fixings and under old underseal. Poorly repaired accident damage and hidden corrosion are major concerns. Replacement panels are not always readily available, so serious rust can be expensive and specialist fabrication may be needed.

How easy is it to get hold of parts for the Audi Quattro?

Parts availability for the Quattro is mixed. Audi Tradition and specialists can help with some items, and service parts are generally available, you may find that body panels, trim, electrical parts and Quattro-specific components can be scarce and expensive.

A complete, original car is usually worth paying more for as a result!

How does it drive?

Where modern performance cars have become more homogenous in their driving manners, the Quattro hails from an era when the big German marques all had much more distinct characters. And while the Audi may lack the refinement of a Mercedes or sporting edge of a BMW its uniquely tech-driven approach stands as something genuinely different, not least for its basis in turbocharging and four-wheel drive.

These dominate the driving experience more than, say, steering feel or finely honed control weights, contemporary reviewers criticising the slow gearshift, nose-heavy balance and steering but wowed by the Porsche-beating performance, overall quality, all-weather traction and lusty turbocharged grunt.

The classic warbly five-cylinder soundtrack and all its associations with the Quattro’s rallying heroics helps make it a real experience as well.

What do people love about the Audi Quattro?

Owners love the Quattro because it feels significant. It is not just another quick 1980s coupé; it is the car that proved four-wheel drive could belong in a serious performance car.

The traction, turbocharged five-cylinder engine, flared arches and rally heritage give it a character few classics can match. On the road, it feels planted, muscular and distinctive rather than delicate. It has genuine all-weather usability, strong long-distance ability and an unmistakable soundtrack.

Many owners are also drawn to the car’s cultural appeal, from Group B rallying to its place in 1980s performance-car folklore. A good Quattro feels like an event every time you use it!

 What’s good about the Audi Quattro?

Just as the German brands differed in their driving manners, they all went their own way aesthetically as well, Mercedes transitioning from its chrome-laden chintz to hard-edged ‘80s look while BMW riffed on its timelessly elegant three-box silhouette.

Against both Audi’s square-cut, box-arched brutalism is something different altogether and aging well, there being literally nothing else out there quite like a Quattro in looks. That translates to the driving manners as well and, like so many cars with rallying blood, the Audi’s abilities translate brilliantly to the road.

It’s also a decently practical car, comfortably capable of carrying four grown-ups. Iconic is a much over-used word but, in this context, more than worthy.

What’s bad about the Audi Quattro?

Impressive and clever as it is, the Quattro is perhaps not as sharp or naturally satisfying as some of its contemporaries, blunt styling matched with some less satisfying driving manners. But that’s balanced against its other qualities, and it remains a beguiling modern classic.

Less favourable is the difficulty of keeping them sweet, a level of mechanical complexity compounded by years of poor parts supply. As values rise and servicing that need becomes more cost effective the situation for surviving cars has improved.

But if you’re buying as a fixer-upper make sure you do so accepting that a restoration could hit the buffers if you can’t find what you need.

Is the Audi Quattro classed as a classic car for vehicle insurance?

Yes, the original Audi Quattro is now comfortably old enough, rare enough and collectible enough to be treated as a classic or specialist vehicle by many insurers.

Its age, enthusiast ownership, rally heritage and rising values all support that classification. The exact policy terms will depend on condition, value, mileage, storage and use.

How much does it cost to insure an Audi Quattro?

The cost of insuring your Audi Quattro will depend on a number of factors like it’s value, mileage, how it’s used, and who by, so there’s no single cost to give. However, classic Audi vehicle insurance from Goodwood Classic Solutions starts at just £105 per year.

We can provide tailored insurance which takes the details of your Audi Quattro and you as the driver into consideration before we work with our trusted team of insurers to find you the best policy for the best price.

How do the condition, modifications and use affect Audi Quattro insurance premiums?

The condition of your Quattro will affect both its value and risk that insurers assign it. A well-maintained, original Quattro with strong history is easier to value and may suit an agreed value policy, while a rusty, poorly repaired, or incomplete model can be more difficult and more expensive to insure properly.

Modifications are no problem for our team here at Goodwood Classic Solutions, but they’ll need to be declared when you’re getting a quote to ensure that you don’t any problems if you ever need to make a claim.

In terms of usage, underwriters will be happier to offer a lower price if they know that your Quattro will be driven less and so be at less risk of being involved in a collision and needing to make a claim. Limited-mileage policies can help reduce your premium by up to 50% by setting a number of miles you’ll be driving over the year, too.

Is specialist classic car insurance a good idea for the Audi Quattro?

Yes, for most owners a specialist classic car insurance policy can better reflect the Quattro’s value, rarity and enthusiast use and ensure that it’s properly covered by people who understand the intricacies of the classic cars and the care and cover they need.

Who is Audi Quattro recommended for?

The Audi Quattro suits an enthusiast who wants a landmark performance classic and understands specialist ownership. It is best for buyers who value history, originality and condition over cheap running costs. It is not ideal for anyone wanting a simple, low-cost daily driver, but it’s a joy to drive if it suits your lifestyle and needs. 

Specifications – Audi Quattro 20V

2.3-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol

220PS (162kW) @ 5,900rpm

309Nm (227lb ft) @ 1,950rpm

Five-speed manual, four-wheel drive

1,395kg

6.3 seconds

144mph

1980-1991