1983 Audi Quattro Test Drive
One of the most all around capable and impressive automobiles looked ready for a US debut in 1983. The high performance 4-wheel drive Quattro from Audi appeared in mid-1982, in very limited quantities and at a price that exceeded $30,000. The Quattro shared its boxed and angurlar body with the Audi Coupe, introduced the previous summer. And like the Coupe, its 5-cylinder engine and 5-speed transaxle were derived from the bigger 5000 sedan. But the Quattro boasted a masterstroke of engineering. In essence, another front end had been turned around and installed under the cars tail. Independent strut suspension and disc brakes came with it, and a manually lockable differential fed power to the rear wheels. Drive was taken off the transmission in front, and carried back through an interaxle differential, also lockable. American versions were detuned to 156hp, but still performed in unique fashion. Especially with rear and center differentials locked, the Quattro streaked through corners and put power on the road like no other car on the market of the time.
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