Cars
Audi Sport: All in the past?
This article discusses the history of Audi Sport and its success in motorsports, from the development of the Quattro to compete in World Rally Championships to their current focus on electric mobility through Formula E.
Anyone who thinks that competitions are useless, have the courage to raise your hands!
Take Audi for instance: excluding the legendary Auto Union of the 1930s, the true story of the Audi Sport division began in 1978 with the development of the Quattro to compete in World Rally Championships. Ferdinand Piech, then the CEO of the Ingolstadt company, wanted to make the first mass-produced four-wheel drive car, and needed a stage to prove its potential. After three years of development, the Quattro officially made its debut at the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally, dominating the first six special races. Despite having to withdraw over initial reliability issues, the validity of the idea was clear to all and in the next stage in Sweden, Audi clinched its first world title, marking the beginning of the “Quattro” legend, first as the name of the car, and then to indicate Audi’s all-wheel drive system. The Quattro Sport, a road-legal version made in 224 examples, is now one of the most sought after by collectors. The sound of the 5-cylinder engine remains one of the most loved by enthusiasts still today.
Audi’s first big step into the world of motorsport came with the arrival of the Quattro in the 1980s that gave them new fewer than 4 World Titles.
