Technology & Internet • Automotive

Audi Quattro

The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car produced by Audi from 1980 to 1991.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car produced by Audi from 1980 to 1991. It is widely associated with popularizing permanent all-wheel drive in high-performance production cars and with Audi's motorsport success in rallying. The Quattro was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show and entered production the same year.

Development and launch

Audi developed the Quattro in the late 1970s, drawing on all-wheel-drive concepts explored in testing and military vehicle work. The car debuted publicly in 1980 as a high-performance coupé with permanent all-wheel drive.

Technical features

The Quattro combined a turbocharged inline-five engine with a permanent all-wheel-drive system and a manual gearbox. Its layout and traction capabilities were unusual for a production performance car of its era.

Motorsport impact

The Quattro became famous in rallying from the early 1980s onward, where its traction advantages helped reshape competition. Its success is widely credited with encouraging other manufacturers to adopt four-wheel-drive technology in motorsport.

Legacy

The original Quattro is often called the Ur-quattro, meaning original Quattro. Its name became the basis for Audi's long-running quattro branding across many later models. Production continued until 1991, with a total of 11,452 built.

Key facts

Audi Quattro was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show and entered production in 1980.
It was Audi's first production car with permanent all-wheel drive.
The model used a turbocharged five-cylinder engine and a coupé body.
Production continued until 1991, with a total of 11,452 built.

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Canadian context

The Audi Quattro is notable to Canadian readers as an influential performance car that shaped modern all-wheel-drive technology, which is especially relevant in Canadian winter driving conditions. It is also a collectible classic car in the Canadian enthusiast market.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Audi Quattro?

It is a performance road and rally car made by Audi from 1980 to 1991, known for its permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Why is it called Quattro?

The name refers to the car's four-wheel-drive system and became Audi's branding for all-wheel-drive models.

How many Audi Quattros were built?

Audi produced 11,452 examples between 1980 and 1991.

What engine did the Audi Quattro use?

It used a turbocharged inline-five petrol engine, commonly described as a 2.1-litre unit.

Was the Audi Quattro important in rallying?

Yes. It was highly influential in rallying and helped change the competitive standard for drivetrain technology.

Is quattro still used by Audi today?

Yes. Audi continues to use quattro as the name for its all-wheel-drive systems and variants.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_Quattro
Supports: Production dates, first public showing, and general identification of the car.
Audi — https://www.audi.com/en/innovation/product-innovation/quattro/celebrating-a-quattro-legend/
Supports: Historical origins and anniversary context for quattro technology.
Audi MediaCenter — https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/quattro-with-ultra-technology-the-permanently-available-all-wheel-drive-system-5503/audi-quattro-the-history-5508
Supports: Debut at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show and technical development history.
Autoweek — https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1941661/legend-quattro/
Supports: Body/platform details, engine description, and production total.
Audi — https://www.audi.com/en/quattro-in-rallying-17283
Supports: Rallying significance and motorsport impact.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quattro_(four-wheel-drive_system)
Supports: Meaning and later branding use of quattro by Audi.