40 years of pioneering spirit As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “The only constant in life is change,” and that is also true for Audi Sport GmbH. There has always been, and always will be, transformation: quattro GmbH was founded in 1983 to secure the quattro name and marketing rights. What began in the mid-1980s with high-quality accessories and sports gear went on to become a success story. At the 1995 International Motor Show, quattro GmbH presented the first customized Audi models, including the Audi A8 and the Audi Cabriolet. The following year, quattro GmbH was officially registered as a car manufacturer – the first in-house model was the Audi S6 plus. Today, the initial handful of people has grown into a team of around 1,500 dedicated employees. In 2020, series production, vehicle customization, Audi exclusive, and all Audi motorsport activities were brought together under Audi Sport GmbH. In this challenging market, Audi Sport GmbH once again achieved excellent sales figures in 2023 and is the first manufacturer to win an overall victory in one of the toughest rallies in the world, the legendary Dakar Rally. All this was made possible by the Audi Sport GmbH team repeatedly daring to do new things while at the same time remaining true to their intrinsic character. Going forward, the sporty Audi subsidiary is pursuing a clear and systematic electrification strategy. Their vision: To set standards in the high-performance customer experience and electrification sector – and thus ensure the future of the brand with the four rings’ sporty DNA.
1981 3 victories in the World Rally Championship (Audi quattro) 1982 Winner manufacturers’ classification World Rally Championship (Audi quattro) 1983 Winner drivers’ classification World Rally Championship (Audi quattro) 1984 Winner drivers’ and manufacturers’ classification World Rally Championship (Audi quattro) 1985 Winner Rally San Remo (Audi Sport quattro S1) Winner Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race (Audi Sport quattro S1) Winner Rally Hong Kong–Beijing (Audi quattro) 1986 Winner Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race (Audi Sport quattro S1) Winner Rally Hong Kong–Beijing (Audi quattro) 1987 Winner Safari Rally (Audi 200 quattro) Winner Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race (Audi Sport quattro S1) 1988 Winner TransAm Series (Audi 200 quattro) 1989 7 victories IMSA GTO Series (Audi 90 quattro) 1990 Winner German Touring Car Championship (Audi V8 quattro) 1991 Winner German Touring Car Championship (Audi V8 quattro) 1993 Winner French Touring Car Championship (Audi 80 quattro) 1994 Winner Italian Touring Car Championship (Audi 80 competition) 1995 Winner Italian Touring Car Championship (Audi A4 quattro) Winner Touring Car World Cup (Audi A4 quattro) 1996 Winner Super Touring Car Championships Australia, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain and South Africa (Audi A4 quattro) 1997 Winner Central European Touring Car Championship (Audi A4 quattro) 1999 3rd place Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R8R) Winner German Super Touring Car Championship (Audi A4 quattro) Winner Swedish Touring Car Championship (Audi A4 quattro) 2000 Winner Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R8) Winner Sebring 12 Hours (Audi R8) Winner ‘Petit Le Mans’ (Audi R8) Winner American Le Mans Series (Audi R8) 2001 Winner Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R8) Winner Sebring 12 Hours (Audi R8) Winner ‘Petit Le Mans’ (Audi R8) Winner American Le Mans Series (Audi R8) Winner European Le Mans Series (Audi R8) Winner Speedvision GT (Audi S4 Competition) Winner Swedish Touring Car Championship (Audi A4 quattro) 2002 Winner Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R8) Winner Sebring
MediaInfo
01/19/2024
Images for your search „Audi Quattro 1983“
New special exhibition on the traditional brand NSU
New special exhibition on the traditional brand NSU
New special exhibition on the traditional brand NSU
1994 30 Years Audi 80 Competition ...............................29 1989 35 Years Audi 90 IMSA-GTO ..................................30 1984 40 Years Double championship win for Stig Blomqvist and Audi .......................................31 May 1984 40 Years Audi Sport quattro S1 .............................32 January 1984 40 Years Walter Röhrl joins Audi ...........................33 1984 40 Years Harald Demuth German rally champion in Audi quattro ....................................................35 1984 40 Years Audi at Pikes Peak ...................................36 November 1954 70 Years Top-three finish in the European Touring Car Championship for DKW ........37 July 1954 70 Years Werner Haas World Champion on NSU Rennmax .................................................38 September 1939 85 Years Final grand prix victory ............................39 August 1939 85 Years Wanderer class victory in the Liège–Rome–Liège Rally .......................................40 August 1934 90 Years Six Days Trial in Garmisch-Partenkirchen ....................................41 March 1934 90 Years Auto Union grand prix racing car ..............42 Audi Tradition 5 Anniversary Dates 2024 Years 25 Audi S3 The compact three-door Audi A3 that was unveiled in autumn 1996 was based on the platform of the VW Golf IV, which hit the market one year later.
On October 10, 1983, Audi Sport GmbH, as it is known now, was founded as quattro GmbH. Today, it shapes the sporty and exclusive image of the brand with the four rings. At Audi, the vehicles with the red rhombus stand for performance and sportiness.
Audi Sport GmbH: 40th anniversary insights
October 10, 2023, marks the 40th anniversary of Audi Sport GmbH, which evolved from quattro GmbH. In early summer, Audi started the events to celebrate this anniversary in parallel with the Nürburgring 24 Hours and an exhibition at the Neckarsulm facility.
40 facts about 40 years of Audi Sport GmbH
To mark the 40th birthday of Audi Sport GmbH, which evolved from quattro GmbH founded in 1983, the company presents 40 exciting facts.
Interview with Marc Lichte: “Sporty cars are adrenaline that has assumed a shape”
Audi RS models thrill fans of the four rings thanks to their advantage in technology and styling. On the occasion of Audi Sport GmbH’s 40th anniversary, Head of Audi Design Marc Lichte recalls innovations that have turned into traditions – and that continue to be sources of inspiration.
Red rhombus meets “Green Hell”: 40 years of Audi Sport GmbH with a special kick-off at the Nürburgring
Almost 40 years ago – on October 10, 1983 – Audi Sport GmbH, as it is known now, was founded as quattro GmbH. Today, it shapes the sporty and exclusive image of the brand with the four rings. At Audi, the vehicles with the red rhombus stand for performance and sportiness. The birthday celebrations began at the 2023 Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Audi Sport GmbH is currently involved in four business areas:
In addition to the development and production of high-performance models, it is responsible for both factory and customer motorsport for the brand with the four rings. In addition, vehicle customization via the Audi exclusive program and the sale of high-quality lifestyle collections from the Audi collection are among its core areas.
Looking back on 40 years of Audi Sport GmbH with Audi’s head of design Performance, aesthetics and functionality to shape the RS models of the future Radically changed interiors to be featured also by upcoming high-performance cars
Audi RS models thrill fans of the four rings thanks to their advantage in technology and styling. On the occasion of Audi Sport GmbH’s 40th anniversary, Head of Audi Design Marc Lichte recalls innovations that have turned into traditions – and that continue to be sources of inspiration.
Marc, Audi Sport GmbH has now been in existence for 40 years, thrilling fans with RS models. Which of its models particularly fascinate you? Marc Lichte: As a designer and as a performance enthusiast I’m a huge fan of our RS models. The TT RS always used to be one of my highlights because, like the production TT base model, it was the first to put the ideas of the Bauhaus art school on the road. Although “less is more” applies to its design language, it does not when it comes to the sheer emotions and joy of driving the car evokes – ensured, not least, by its five-cylinder engine with its special sound. Work on the current AudiRS 6 Avant with my team was an unforgettable experience as well. At the time, we uncompromisingly carved the quattro origins into every detail and into every line. Anytime I spot an RS6 on the road today I’m happy to see how consistently we pursued our concept back then. Something that all RS models share?
Exclusive event for customers and fans at Audi Forum Neckarsulm Exciting insights into four decades of Audi Sport GmbH Rolf Michl, Managing Director Audi Sport GmbH: “Proud past, even stronger future”
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Audi Sport GmbH, which evolved from quattro GmbH. In early summer, Audi started the events to celebrate this anniversary in parallel with the Nürburgring 24 Hours and an exhibition at the Neckarsulm facility. Next Saturday (October 14), an exclusive event will be hosted at Audi Forum Neckarsulm with exciting insights into the high-performance subsidiary that has been successful for 40 years.
quattro GmbH has existed since 1983, and in 2016, it was renamed as Audi Sport GmbH: Today, the wholly owned subsidiary of AUDI AG is shaping the sporty and exclusive image of the premium brand with the four rings even stronger than ever. “We look back proudly on the past 40 years and want to be even stronger in the future. To this end, we will selectively expand our model portfolio and our other service offerings together with AUDI AG. The sales records of recent years clearly underline our ambitions,” says Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. Strengthening ties with customers and fans through direct contact On October 14, 2023, the public can enjoy an exclusive event with an informative and entertaining program in and around Audi Forum Neckarsulm. Starting at 11 a.m., Audi Sport GmbH and AUDI AG will be represented openly and personally on the factory grounds of the Neckarsulm facility. The employees of the four rings are using the highlight of this anniversary year to provide customers and fans with comprehensive information, further strengthening the bond with them through direct contact.
To mark the 40th birthday of Audi Sport GmbH, which evolved from quattro GmbH founded in 1983, the company presents 40 exciting facts.
quattro and quattro GmbH: Audi registered the quattro brand in 1979. The term quattro (Italian for “four”) stands for the drivetrain of an automobile that transfers power to all four of its wheels. In March 1980, the brand with the four rings presented the quattro sports coupé, its first model with permanent all-wheel drive. This cutting-edge technology, which offers a particularly high level of dynamic handling, safety, and unique driving pleasure, is still the basic feature of all Audi RS models today. In 1983, Audi founded quattro GmbH as a wholly owned subsidiary. The original goals were to protect the quattro name and marketing rights internationally in a legal manner, and to supplement the Audi portfolio in a targeted way with sophisticated product and service ranges bearing the quattro logo. The original: Audi systematically extended the offering of vehicles with permanent all-wheel drive to all of its model ranges in the 1980s. To identify the forefather of all the brand’s all-wheel drive models, the first Audi quattro was later given the name “Ur-quattro” in German. With 147 kW (200 hp), the sports coupé was in the sports car league at the time. Thick cheeks: The characteristic fender flares – known as blisters – marked the first Audi quattro. This feature is at the core of Audi’s design DNA. “Making technology visible” is the name of this central design philosophy of the brand with the four rings. Audi also emphasizes the strong quattro character with this striking design feature on many of the current RS models. October 10, 1983: On this day, Audi founded quattro GmbH, which was renamed as Audi Sport GmbH in 2016. The name quattro GmbH unmistakably stands for the special note of individuality, sportiness, and exclusivity that Audi’s new corporate subsidiary delivers. Its first managing director was Jens Neumann.
99 times pure fascination: from the unique ice race concept to a special edition Audi exclusive: three decades of customization expertise at the sporty Audi subsidiary Bernhard Neufeld, Head of Audi exclusive: “New style of the ice race edition as the emotional pinnacle of electromobility”
Audi celebrates the 40th anniversary of Audi Sport GmbH, which emerged from quattro GmbH founded in 1983, with the Audi RS e-tron GT (combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km [62.1 mi]: 22.1–19.8, combined CO2 emissions in g/km [g/mi]: 0) as a special edition: The ice race edition embodies a new form of individualization. This edition enriches the emotional portfolio of Audi exclusive – an offering that has delighted the brand’s distinguished clientele for some three decades now.
Audi draws its inspiration for this edition from the unique GP Ice Race in Austria. The color tones of the world of snow are reflected on the outer skin of the body and are continued in the interior. With its basic color Florett silver metallic and the black carbon roof in combination with a striking foil warp, the Audi RS e-tron GT ice race edition appears magical at first sight. The colors silver and white symbolize sparkling snow crystals and ice lakes, the purple accents evoke images of shimmering ski goggles. The precise accentuations and transparent patterns harmoniously, yet excitingly, reproduce the style of mountainous winter worlds. This color scheme is continued in the interior: seat center panels, shoulder arches and side bolsters in diamond silver leather emphasize this character. Combined with black leather sections and contrasting purple stitching, the four-door Gran Turismo spoils you with an exclusive ambience. Striking details round off the interior experience. “This new style of the ice race edition underscores the emotional pinnacle of electric mobility at Audi,” says Bernhard Neufeld, Head of Audi exclusive.