Audi Sport quattro (1983 to 1984)
The Audi Sport Quattro E2, full Audi Sport quattro S1 E2, is a rally car that was used during the Group B segment in the World Rally Championship, in the years 1985 and 1986. Audi car was an evolution of the original Sport quattro, who made his debut midseason 1984. The second evolution debuted a year later, and handle with driver Walter Röhrl to victory in the Rally of San Remo same year. Audi car in just six world championship rallies play before Group B was abolished for competition.
The Sport Quattro E2 was the ultimate attempt by Audi to give rallying, which already had lost to the hugely successful Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. 1985 the brand again a dominant role back One also sees this version of the quattro as one in which the Audi Group B regulations is as good as possible, try to pursue.
Despite Audi’s dominance in the year 1984, in which both the drivers ‘and constructors’ championship grip, the brand was facing serious opposition from Peugeot, in that year 205 Turbo 16 was introduced in the championship, and thus were equally successful. The new Sport quattro, which was shorter in wheelbase and more manageable had to prove than its predecessor, was not the answer to the rapid development that went through the 205 T16, which other car manufacturers put their ideas on the table for an approach analogous who took Peugeot.
As the course of 1985, Audi was looking for ways to leverage their Sport quattro, more efficiency and began the development of a second evolution of the model, which already had parking, the problems of his predecessor on the sidelines but had to hold on to the principle of a longitudinally-mounted engine that was positioned over the front axle. A center differential to fend for unequal distribution of power between the front and rear axles. Components such as radiators, oil coolers and fuel were all moved to the rear, creating additional space became available under the hood, designed for a larger turbo and more and outlets. A six-speed manual was approved, with the option to use an automatic. Did, however, occur in the ostentation, where Audi had ventured into the case of aerodynamics. Ultimate attempt the biggest difference Engineers had calculated that, even for the average speeds that are achieved in rallying airflow around the car to work on the ground could help to produce what Audi once before helped with the introduction of four-wheel drive more traction. Although the technical committee of the FIA ​​to a certain limit, the width of a car far left, there were no restrictions on the amount that could have some aerodynamic aids, which Audi came up with a huge rear wing, which according to them was essential to conduct air. the rear-mounted radiators The car also had the necessary extension to the front and side, so that was a much broader view. Audi brought out that this version is about 450 HP produced, though these figures proved soon to be above 500.
The debut of the Sport Quattro E2 (FIA demanded since 1985 that changes the name ‘E2’ was added to the name) took place during the North American Olympus Rally in July 1985, a candidate event for the World Rally Championship, with Hannu Mikkola who had the honor to make contact with the car. finish the first competitive gauges He won the rally in dominant fashion, but the World Cup debut of the car in Argentina was less conspicuous, which driver Stig Blomqvist early the contest was to give a broken oil pipe. on Even less successful was the asphalt debut of the car during the British Ulster Rally, with Michèle Mouton at the wheel, where it already was on the side of the first special stage with a broken turbo. During the Finnish round of the World Cup, the car could really come out of the paint across his competitive competition, which Mikkola or does not come to the finish first but Blomqvist long time in the wake the eventual winner Timo Salonen finished second. A devastating impression was only made when Walter Röhrl dominant manner Rally San Remo wrote to his name that year; Audi’s first World Cup victory of the season. Röhrl won the event, both asphalt and gravel was held, with more than six minutes ahead of Peugeot driver Salonen, which he also won four times on stages. The final round in Britain went back difficult for the team, which made the first use of an automatic gearbox, the “PDK”, which Röhrl could not impress and went out by accident, while Mikkola had to retire with electrical problems. leading position in
Audi appeared with Röhrl and Mikkola at the start of the season opener in 1986 in Monte Carlo, where it would undergo with Peugeot and Lancia, the latter of which had been proven. Though the competitiveness of their new Delta S4 at that time a real showdown The car was to go for the final victory, especially in the hands of four-time winner of the event, Walter Röhrl, however some bad tire choices presented serious problems and delays for Röhrl, which he had to consolidate fourth place. despite winning eight stages Mikkola did some still make it through to finish third behind the well although a Peugeot and Lancia. The second performance of the car that season took place in Portugal, where only Röhrl as registration of Audi appeared at the start. The German grabbed a shared fastest time on the opening stage is always crowded near the Estoril circuit, but at the same pilot crashed Ford driver Joaquim Santos, where four observers (three on the spot) lost their lives. In response, all the factory riders decided to withdraw from the contest, including Röhrl, who was supported by the coaching team of Audi back. Not much later crashed in the season Lancia driver Henri Toivonen with fatal consequences, causing the Class B Group A competition was banned from entering the 1987 season. Audi decided immediately after this decision not to return in the championship, as they are not accounted longer found it yet to go back.
The Sport Quattro E2 saw an early end to his campaign in the World Cup, where it has been active. Only six rallies In 1987, when Group B was not allowed in the World Cup but in several other disciplines still, Audi decided to use during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, a famous hill climb event in Colorado, North America the car. It has been suggested that this version is not produced less than 600hp. Walter Röhrl knew there was a new record time to put down. along
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