The History of the Audi Quattro Four Wheel Drive
The Audi Quattro has been around since the year 1980. This vehicle has the distinction of being the second road car to have had four wheel drive capabilities. Jensen FF was the first, having been produced in 1966. Although it was the first road car of its kind, it was not considered to have a reliable transmission.
Prior to 1980 cars did not come equipped with four wheel drive. It was felt that only sport utility vehicles that went off road were the only vehicles that needed it. When Audi introduced this equipment into their rally car though, it changed things forever.
Normally four wheel drive makes the vehicle quite heavy. When you have a rally car you want to keep the vehicle lighter, so with this in mind Audi came up with a simple, less weighty version. They incorporated two driveshafts, so that both the front and rear wheels had power. To do this they put in a smaller differential at the gearbox in the front of the car.
The mechanics of the Audi Quattro presented a vehicle with grip and traction for various road conditions. The engine had 200 horsepower with a turbo style. It took 7.1 seconds to reach sixty miles per hour from a stopped position. The car was able to reach 137 miles per hour even with 4WD. The remarkable aspects of the vehicle helped it make a name at the World Rally as well as on the regular road.
For the 1980 Rally rules changed. It was this modification which allowed the Quattro to enter even with the 4WD. Other car manufacturers were of the impression that the Audi would not do well. These thoughts were based on the heaviness of the 4WD system. The manufacturers were in for a surprise when it was learned what Audi did in order to make the vehicle lighter. The rally car was on the top at world rallies for six years. There were numerous series of the car, ending with the Audi Sport Quattro S1.
The S1 series car was perhaps the most impressive. It had front spoilers making it unlike any other vehicle in appearance. This was added to by the 590 horsepower of the 2.1 litre engine. The engine also had five cylinders. The point of such a design was for the win.
The 80's marked a new era for the rally, one that could not be inclusive without the Quattro series using its turbo around the track.
The name Quattro is still used today despite the end of the road car in 1991. In German Ur means original, which applies to the Audi Quattro. It is a much esteemed car to own.