The ABT-prepared Audi Quattro comes face to face with its descendant, the RS5-R

The automotive world has enjoyed some true automotive gems, which have helped mark the course of history with their presence. Among them is the Audi Quattro, an iconic model that stood out not only in the world of Rally, but also as a sports car thanks to its innovative all-wheel-drive system. ABT, a tuner specialising in models belonging to the Volkswagen Group, has decided to stage an iconic encounter between the now classic Audi Quattro and its contemporary vision of sportiness, which is reflected in what is known as the Audi RS5-R.

Both models share a common bond that creates a direct link between the Audi Quattro and the current RS5. ABT, having noticed this, did not want to miss the opportunity to put its two creations face to face, with the aim of analysing each and every difference that has emerged over 38 years, not only in the automotive industry but also in the tuning world.

When the German tuner modified the Audi Quattro, the standards of the time were far from today’s, so the use of certain materials or a more exaggerated styling were not available while production of the four-ring sports car was still ongoing. Nevertheless, ABT had enough expertise to offer modifications that were notable enough, both in the exterior with a new aerodynamic kit and with a considerable increase in power.

When the Audi Quattro rolled out of the German factory in the 1980s, it housed under its bonnet a 2.2-litre turbo engine capable of producing 220 CV. ABT, however, managed to extract a total of 260 CV from the German sports car’s engine, a figure made possible by boosting the turbo to 1.6 bar.

Today, the German tuner has also managed to develop significant modifications for the Audi RS5, a sports car that houses a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 capable of producing a total of 450 CV and 600 Nm of torque. After passing through ABT’s hands and undergoing a series of modifications, the Audi RS5 has not only gained an extra “R” in its name, but also 530 CV and 690 Nm of torque, figures that translate to the tarmac with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h.

Now, both the Audi Quattro and the RS5-R have shared the stage, seeking to show the evolution to which both Audi and ABT have subjected their models but, at the same time, also with the aim of letting us in on the common points the two models share. In this way, we can assert that Audi has known how to apply the latest technology to its models, while always keeping its essential character fully intact.