Abt and Audi of course go together like currywurst and pilsner, so it was only a matter of time before the tuner took to the catalogue of classics. After all, where do you go from making a road-legal GT2 car? Back in time is the logical path. So here’s Hans-Jurgen Abt’s vision of a modernised Quattro, complete with 530hp, a roll cage and carbon fibre parts aplenty. Abt will make 30 from original Quattro donors, and all build slots are already allocated. Indeed there was only meant to be 25, but such was the response that a few more are to be commissioned.
This isn’t H-J’s first take on a Quattro, either. Back when he took over the company’s tuning division in the late 80s, a Ur from the showroom was his “dowry”; that car was treated to a bodykit, white wheels from a Sport Quattro and a few other bits. Driven for a few years and then kept in the Abt collection, it’s a car with huge emotional importance to the family. “The Ur-quattro was the first car in my heart back then and has never completely disappeared from there”, said Hans-Jurgen. “This retro version has rekindled my love.” More than 35 years on from that original project, this is a restomod endeavour unlike most others.
Details are a little scarce on exactly what makes this Ur an Abt car, though it’s clear the bodywork is more aggressive than stock and this sits with much more purpose on these wheels than a standard one ever did. New Abt seats look great as well; indeed the whole interior is said to be from the Abt Individual programme, so those lucky customers will probably have free rein when it comes to colour choices.
Power comes from a 2.5-litre version of the five-cylinder turbo (ordinary Quattros were 2.1- or 2.2-litre capacity). Abt suggests this is a 530hp Audi, more than 200hp beyond even the Sport Quattro in period. Additional equipment includes ABS and an ‘invisible’ roll cage.
Beyond that, we don’t know what’s changed, but that hasn’t deterred punters. The Quattro has been a secret project - developed with the assistance of another Audi specialist, Lake Constance Engineering GmbH - and only revealed at a recent ‘Friends of Abt’ event. Enough folk liked what they saw then to place an order, with all build slots gone in three hours. That was for the original 25, before extending to 30 overall. You get the impression Abt could have sold many more.
The Abt CEO concluded: “First of all, we are delighted that this project has clearly struck a chord with our customers – it also gives us a little more courage to pursue some other ideas we have in mind. But fundamentally, it also reflects the spirit of Abt: we want to keep reinventing ourselves and moving into the future with fresh ideas and expertise in technology and design.” So it seems unlikely that they’ll stop with the Quattro. Ideas on a postcard for the next one…
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