1991 Audi Quattro 20V RR

Highlights 

• Iconic model

• Most powerful 20V edition

• Incredibly rare collector's car

• 217bhp, five cylinder turbo

• Four-wheel drive with Torsen centre differential

• Recent £4K+ spend and long, advisory-free MOT

• As driven by Jason Plato on Fifth Gear

Overview

The Audi Quattro is one of the most iconic cars of all time and its lasting impact, not just in motorsport but on the automotive landscape as a whole, cannot be overstated. With its magnificent five-cylinder turbocharged engine, revolutionary four-wheel drive system and unmistakable boxy aesthetic it truly is a standout car that unequivocally changed rallying. Still impressive today, it remains a highly desirable and collectable classic.

The road-going version, known as the Ur-Quattro, debuted alongside the rally legend in 1980 and featured a 2.1-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine producing the best part of 200bhp that was force fed to all four wheels via Audi's four-wheel drive wizardry, allowing the car to corner at really rather ridiculous speeds with grip for days. Remaining in production for 11 years the car itself remained largely unchanged but the engine would see an increase in displacement to 2.2-litres, as well as also gaining double the valves per cylinder in '89, bumping peak power to 217bhp.

These later 20 valve incarnations, known as the RR Quattro, were smoother, more refined and more powerful than earlier models. Not only that but they also featured the advanced Torsen centre differential which could split power equally between the front and rear, further improving the car's already impressive handling dynamics.

This particular Audi Quattro RR is a late model 1991 example that the vendor reports was registered abroad before being  brought back to the UK and first registered here in 1997, at which point it was given its “Q” registration. The car was purchased by the current owner in 2020 and subsequently spent some time in Switzerland but now once more resides in the UK.

It's also a star of the small screen, having been driven by Jason Plato on Fifth Gear (see below). Reportedly well-maintained and with a recent £4K+ spend at historic Audi specialists VRS performance in late 2024, as well as a long, advisory-free MOT, the car presents in good overall condition and is said to be running very well.

History and documentation

• 1991 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• First registered in the UK 02 Jun 1997

• Vendor reports the car was purchased in 2020

• Three keys

• £4,775 invoice for major works at marque specialists VRS Performance

• Vendor reports the car has been serviced by Quattro Concepts of Watlington during their tenure

• Major engine overhaul, including belts and wheel alignment at Swiss Peaks in Switzerland in 2023

• Collection of old tax discs

• Quattro Owners Club membership letter in the vendor's name dated Dec 2021

• Advisory-free MOT until 07 Apr 2027

• HPI clear

• 127,979 indicated miles

Interior

• In good condition throughout

• No signs of any major damage but there is a rudimentary repair t o the driver's seat bolster to note as well as some scuff marks to the rear door cards

• Usual signs of wear and tear to high traffic areas commensurate with age and mileage

• LCD dash display looks to be in good order

• It should be noted that there is a piece of tape covering part of the lower readout to cover the ABS warning light as it has been disconnected (please see below)

• Carpets appear to be in good shape

• Door jambs and sills plates are clean

• Baupunkt radio cassette and front speakers

• Kenwood rear parcel shelf speakers

• Headlining has not sagged

• Dashboard remains intact

• Some exposed wiring below the glove box

• Boot space looks to be tidy and comes with a space saver spare wheel and tyre

Exterior

• Bodywork looks to be in good shape overall with no major damage or rust evident

• The white paintwork appears free from any major issues but there are a few marks and blemishes, including some bumper scratches to note as highlighted in the photos

• Panel gaps look good

• The car sits level at all four corners

• Windows and light lenses appear free from damage

• Nearside wing mirror has some discolouration

• Some areas of flaking paint to the window trims in places

• Quattro badges and decals present and correct

• 15” 16-spoke alloy wheels are in decent shape but the nearside front does carry some marks and light damage 

• Tyres are a mix of  Dunlop SP Sport 9000 on the front and Toyo Proxes on the rear

• The underneath looks to be solid but there is some evidence of light corrosion in places

• Signs of a small oil leak on the nearside front of the sump

Mechanical

• 217bhp, 2.2-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Four-wheel drive

• 0-62mph in 6.3s

• 143mph top speed

• Zero mechanical issues apart from the ABS having been disconnected which the vendor reports is common on this model due to unreliable sensors

• The vendor informs us that the car starts well and sounds beautiful

Summary

As iconic as it is sought after, the really rather rare 20V RR Quattro represents the road-going culmination of Audi's rally heritage and it's a car that would make an excellent addition to any collection. This '91 example, although carrying a few minor aesthetic imperfections, looks to be in rude health, mechanically speaking, and will be great for pub bragging rights; you'll surely never tire of showing the video of Jason Plato driving it. So why not channel your inner Michele Mouton and grab it for yourself?

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Thame, Oxfordshire.