The Beginning of the Rally Car: Audi Quattro 4WD
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.
4WD was considered useful only to SUV style vehicles. In 1980 the view changed, especially with rallies and the Quattro.
Audi's genius was to keep the four wheel drive system as simple and as light as possible, and instead of using a traditional transfer box and associated driveshafts, Audi used a small differential off of the front mounted gearbox to power two driveshafts, one to provide power to the front wheels and the other to the rear.
With the four wheel drive system the Quattro has superior levels of grip and traction, even in slippery and wet conditions, whilst in the dry the 200 bhp turbocharged engine could launch the Audi Quattro to sixty in just 7.1 seconds, and a top speed of 137 mph which are impressive figures even by today's modern standard. However whilst the Quattro was a superb road car it was on the world rally stage that it really made its name.
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 had one objective and that was to win. They added front spoilers and a 2.1 litre, five cylinder engine that could produce 590bhp.
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. - 21396
4WD was considered useful only to SUV style vehicles. In 1980 the view changed, especially with rallies and the Quattro.
Audi's genius was to keep the four wheel drive system as simple and as light as possible, and instead of using a traditional transfer box and associated driveshafts, Audi used a small differential off of the front mounted gearbox to power two driveshafts, one to provide power to the front wheels and the other to the rear.
With the four wheel drive system the Quattro has superior levels of grip and traction, even in slippery and wet conditions, whilst in the dry the 200 bhp turbocharged engine could launch the Audi Quattro to sixty in just 7.1 seconds, and a top speed of 137 mph which are impressive figures even by today's modern standard. However whilst the Quattro was a superb road car it was on the world rally stage that it really made its name.
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 had one objective and that was to win. They added front spoilers and a 2.1 litre, five cylinder engine that could produce 590bhp.
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. - 21396
About the Author:
The Ur Audi Quattro is a fabulous road car and highly successful rally car. If you want to recreate the powerful and bright lights that the Quattro had on the infamous night stages for your own vehicle, you will need to upgrade your Car Bulbs. As automotive lighting advances its is now easier than ever to install the latest Upgrade Upgrade Headlight Bulbs to allow you to see better at night.
posted by X - Men @ 12:44 AM
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