Secret project: the Audi Quattro is back with a 530bhp restomod from ABT

With so many spectacular restomods of classic rally cars - from the Ford Escort Mk1 to the Lancia Delta Integrale - it was only a matter of time before a reimagined Audi Quattro appeared. The German workshop ABT has done just that, transforming a legend of the 1980s into a modern sports car.

Here's What We Know

The restomod was a secret project that was only unveiled at the end of the Friends of ABT show. Similar to how Steve Jobs always saved the main surprise for the end of Apple presentations.

The car, called the ABT Ur-Quattro, has been given an all-carbon fibre dodger in the spirit of the legendary Audi Sport Quattro. Visually, the car stands out with a ventilated bonnet with three distinctive slots, a massive rear anti-wing, a new grille and an aggressive front splitter.

The wide wheel arches - an integral element of the Quattro's design - have not only been retained, but also widened. Lightweight five-spoke wheels, racing buckets and a safety cage have been added. The interior will be customisable, but it hasn't been shown yet.

Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder engine producing 530bhp (almost three times the power of the original Quattro). ABT does not specify what model of powertrain was used in this project, but in any case, the car received an all-wheel drive transmission and ABS, which the original did not have.

Interestingly, this project was a continuation of the personal version of the Quattro created by the head of the company Hans-Jürgen Abt. His car produces "only" 450 hp, but it too is inspired by the Sport Quattro and uses many of its components.

"The Quattro was my first car and the first car in my heart. This retro version has rekindled that love," Abt admitted.

Initially, only 25 were planned to be built, but they were all sold out within three hours of the presentation. As a result, it was decided to produce five more, bringing the total number to 30 cars. The price is not disclosed - and is not so important: all cars are already sold out.

Recall that the Audi Quattro is a road and rally car produced by Audi from 1980 to 1991. The original model is usually called Ur-Quattro, where "Ur-" means "original", "original" or "first of its kind" in German.

Source: ABT