Rally Legends: The Audi Quattro and the Golden Era of Group B

Any fan of rally racing knows that Group B was the golden era of racing.

In 1982, the Fédéderation Internetonale de I’Automobile (FIA) introduced a new set of regulations for the Rally scene that that meant the development of some of the world’s fastest, powerful and technologically sophisticated race cars ever built. Group B was introduced as a replacement for two separate groups, 4 and 5 (touring/grand touring modified). Where Group B differed from Group A, was its lack of restrictions on power, weight, tech and cost, and the reduction of the number of production units to qualify. Generally, the restrictions meant 5000 units built, but Group B reduced that number to a mere 200. The category was aimed at fostering outright competition victories, by allowing the manufacturers free rein to develop the most advanced racers with horsepower in excess of 500.

The Audi Quattro was Audi’s entry into the Group B scene. The development of the Quattro started in 1977, when it was discovered that a current Volkswagen model with AWD could outperform other vehicles in less than ideal conditions with ease.

In 1980, the first Quattro was released to the European market as the first vehicle with permanent four-wheel-drive and a high-performance engine. This engine happened to be the legendary Audi turbocharged WR 2.1L inline-five 10 valve that put down 197 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque.  At the same time, the S1 Quattro, the rally variant, also debuted in 1980. It was largely based on the road-going variant, and in the shadow of the upcoming Group B changes produced 300 hp. As Group B came, the A1 and A2 versions of the Quattro were released with a steadily rising horsepower count of 350.

The Sport Quattro S1 was the first development of the full-blown rally-road cross over requirements of Group B in 1984. To meet the class requirements, Audi produced this car in limited numbers. This updated road/rally variant featured an all-aluminum 2.1L 20-valve DOHC engine that produced 306 hp, and the rally being turned up to nearly 450 hp. These initial Group B models are widely regarded as turning the world over on its end. No one had expected the wild success of the new Quattro and its near limitless wins.

On the heels of the success of the Sport Quattro, and like all Germans never settling for ‘good enough’, Audi released the Sport Quattro S1 E2 in 1985 that came with a revised 2.1L 5-cylinder that produced an “officially” quoted 480 hp. The official horsepower was nothing more than a cover-up for class entry, however, as the new engine produced in excess of 500 hp thanks to an innovative recirculating air system for the turbocharger that meant boost was constantly available, even after gearshifts. The cars also came with the precursors to DSG dual-clutch transmissions and aggressive aerodynamics and weight loss. The S1 E2 lead the podium through 1985, winning the San Remo Rally among others. The S1 would end up being Audi’s final development in the Group B scene with its demise following the 1986 season. The final S1s for 1986 won the ‘86 Portugal rally and were producing over 600 hp. The final win for the Group B era Quattro’s was the 1987 Pikes Peak race with an ear bleeding run time of 10:47:85 minutes.

Audi changed the world with the Quattro series cars, and it was thanks to the limitless pursuit of speed that it was possible. Today the Quattro exists as a permanent four-wheel-drive system available on all Audis and some Volkswagens, such as the All-Track. To this day, Audi has sold over 2.5M AWD vehicles and they’re not slowing down.