Audi fans are in for a treat this weekend as the Irish arm will showcase the evolution of the Audi Sport brand at the AXA National Classic Car Show, in association with the Royal Irish Automobile Club, in Dublin from 5-6 March. In addition to exhibiting two of Audi’s current sport models, they will display three iconic quattro cars—the 1981 Audi quattro, the 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1 and the 1995 Audi Avant RS 2 quattro—at stand D4 of the exhibition at the RDS. Christian Gussen, Managing Director at Audi Ireland said; “The Audi Sport range is renowned world-wide and has grown in strength over the last decade, leading us to our second-generation Audi R8, the fastest and most powerful commercial sports car that we have ever produced. The opening of Audi Sport in Audi Centre Ballsbridge last year, follows increasing demand for Audi’s high-performance sports cars and demonstrates our commitment to the range. We’re delighted to welcome three of our most iconic cars to the National Car Show and give customers the opportunity to experience the origins of Audi Sport and quattro.”
Audi quattro (1981)
The 200bhp Audi quattro debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1980 and revolutionised four-wheel drive in the motoring mainstream. The car has created a permanent and far-reaching legacy. The Audi quattro was initially envisaged as a limited-run demonstration of Audi’s commitment to engineering excellence and technological innovation. The first production run was just 400 units; by 1991, at the end of production, over 11,500 had been sold.
Audi Sport quattro S1 (1985)
The semi-mythical Audi Sport quattro S1 was the rally car that put Audi on the map as an indomitable force in motorsport. Widely regarded as one of the most powerful rally cars ever produced, the Audi Sport quattro S1 won an impressive two Group B competitions and set a world record at the 1986 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb before production ceased that year. Powered by a super-fast turbocharged 2110 cc engine producing 550bhp, the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in a mere 3.1 seconds.
Audi Avant RS 2 quattro (1995)
Joint developed by Audi and Porsche, the 1995 Audi Avant RS 2 quattro took the world-renowned Audi 80 to a whole new level of sporty performance, achieving a maximum speed of 262 km/h and acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds.
The first Audi “RS”, the RS 2 quattro used the most powerful and thoroughly developed of the turbocharged inline 5-cylinder engines, unmatched by other contemporary estate cars. At the time, the RS 2 quattro was even faster than racing legend Jacques Villeneuve’s Formula One car.
For more information please log on to www.classiccarshow.ie