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2016 Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction
Lot
13

1981 Audi UR Quattro 'Turbo' Coupe

$37,000

Sold

Specifications

Engine In-line 5-cylinder, 2200cc
Gearbox 5-speed manual
Body Work Coupe
Colour Dark Blue
Interior Brown
Trim Cloth
Wheels Cast alloy
Brakes Discs

Description

This lot is no longer available

One of the landmark cars of the 20th Century, Audi’s Quattro combined turbocharged performance and all-wheel drive roadholding with devastating effects, creating an road car capable of seeing off far more expensive exotics, particularly on wet roads, and left an incredible legacy on the world rallying stage. The undisputed star of the 1980 Geneva motor show, the Quattro was based on the 80 derived Audi Coupe but with pumped up guards giving it a far more purposeful and muscular stance. Under the bonnet was Audi’s familiar five-cylinder engine from the 200 series, boosted from 170 to 200 horsepower thanks to the higher boost pressure from the KKK turbocharger, along with an intercooler and modified exhaust manifold plus the latest Bosch K-Jetronic engine management system. The Quattro’s incredible grip came from a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, derived from the Iltis developed for the German military and unlike anything seen on a production car. A small differential was fitted between the gearbox and drive shaft to prevent transmission ‘wind up’ and the Quattro had 50:50 front to rear torque distribution, with lockable centre and rear diffs for slippery conditions. The Coupe’s live rear axle gave way to fully independent rear suspension via lower wishbones and struts, while disc brakes all round (ventilated at the front) provided ample stopping power. The Quattro dominated international rallying for three years following its competition debut in 1981 and proved one of the hottest cars on the market in the first part of the decade, firmly establishing Audi as a rival to the more established players like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The original (Ur in German) Quattros like the example offered here are prized for their purity of design, with the flat front end and four rectangular headlamps, Ronal alloy wheels and left-hand drive only (Audi officially sold 163 to the UK, some of them converted by David Sutton Motorsport and GTi Engineering) and are fast becoming highly collectible.