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.
Presskit 40 years Audi Sport GmbH
US drift artist drives Mattias Ekström’s Dakar car Historic treasures from Audi Tradition at the GP Ice Race Ken Block: “A phenomenal experience”
This was a car swap of a very special kind: with Mattias Ekström as the instructor in the co-driver’s seat, Ken Block tested the Audi RS Q e-tron with start number 224 on snow and ice. The outing during the GP Ice Race in Zell am See (Austria) was the spectacular prototype’s first appearance after its successful debut in the famous Dakar Rally.
The Audi RS Q e-tron, with which Audi clinched four stage victories in January, was just one of the stars on the icy course in Zell am See. Audi Tradition also brought along the Audi quattro A2 Group B rally car, which competed in the 1983 Rally Finland. In addition, a DKW F 91 and a DKW Hartmann Formula V caused quite a stir. For Ken Block, the weekend trip to Europe was like a visit to automotive paradise. “The laps in the Audi RS Q e-tron were a phenomenal experience – even though the car probably feels more comfortable in the desert than in the snow,” said Ken Block. “Thanks to Mattias Ekström, who patiently explained all the special features of his car to me. A few minutes behind the wheel was enough to understand the fascination of this car.” Mattias Ekström was impressed. “It only took three turns for Ken to get fully up to speed,” said the Swede, who, with ninth place, was the most successful Audi driver in the 2022 Dakar Rally. For Ekström, the event in Austria was also the perfect preparation for his participation in the prestigious “Race of Champions”, which was held in the north of Sweden last weekend. Ekström only had to admit defeat to the eventual winner Sébastien Loeb in the semifinals. In addition to testing the Audi RS Q e-tron, Ken Block also took a little trip down memory lane and drifted around the circuit in the Audi quattro A2.
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.
Five-cylinder engine delivering 136 hp presented for the first time in 1976 in the Audi 100 Successful engine concept for series production and rallying AudiRS 3: modified five-cylinder engine with more torque
Audi presented the first five-cylinder gasoline engine 45 years ago in the second-generation Audi 100. Enhancements and new developments followed with turbocharging, exhaust gas purification and four-valve technology, rally engines, and five-cylinder diesel units. The 2.5 TFSI won the “International Engine of the Year” award nine times in a row. Today, the high-performance engine in the new AudiRS 3 Sportback carries on the five-cylinder engine tradition – with more power than ever.
The five-cylinder engines from Audi have achieved cult status – partly due to their successful deployment in motorsport and also on account of their reliability and economy. The engine’s unique 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence and the incomparable sound that comes with it make the driving experience so exhilarating. The first five-cylinder gasoline engine powered the Audi 100 (C2) in 1976.
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.
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.
Highlights from 40 years of Audi Sport GmbH
Audi Sport GmbH in pictures
24h Nürburgring 2023
Modern race cars in historic dress: 24h Nürburgring with design icons from AudiAudi Sport customer racing contested the 51st edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours with four Audi R8 LMS cars in epoch-making designs. Audi’s expressive liveries reflect its motorsport history.
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10/10/2023
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Audi quattro A2, Group B, model year 1983
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Audi Sport quattro (B2), model year 1984
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Anniversary magazine Motorsports
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New special exhibition on the traditional brand NSU
The five-cylinder engine debuted in 1976 in the Audi 100 with 136 PS Successful engine concept for production models and rally sport Signature sound from its unique 1-2-4-5-3 firing order AudiRS 3 2.5 TFSI with 400 PS and 500 Nm torque Hand-assembled at the Bock plant in Győr, Hungary
Audi will celebrate a very special anniversary in 2026: 50 years of the five-cylinder engine. The brand with the four rings first introduced this engine in 1976 in the second-generation Audi 100. This was followed by upgrades and new developments with turbocharging, exhaust gas purification, and four-valve technology, rally engines, and five-cylinder diesel engines. Currently, the 2.5 TFSI in the AudiRS 3 continues the great tradition of five-cylinder engines
Audi’s five-cylinder engines have cult status and are deeply rooted in the Audi DNA. They have played a decisive role in shaping “Vorsprung durch Technik” – on the one hand with numerous successes in motorsport, and on the other, by virtue of their outstanding performance in series production. To this day, the 2.5 TFSI provides a highly evocative driving experience, not least because of its characteristic sound. The HISTORY: 50 years of success in series production and motorsport The first five-cylinder engine powered the Audi 100 (C2) in 1976. Known internally as Type 43, the model was intended to be positioned higher in the market than its predecessor. The four-cylinder engines of the time were not sufficient for the developers’ plans. Audi engineers therefore discussed using inline five-cylinder and six-cylinder engines in the early 1970s. The latter were ruled out due to space constraints and the unfavorable weight distribution. As a result, those responsible opted for the inline five-cylinder engine, which was based on the EA 827 engine concept, still in its infancy at the time. This inline four-cylinder engine was used throughout the Volkswagen Group in the 1970s, including in the Audi 80 and Audi 100.
First World Champion’s title for each of the three drivers Three strong personalities with an international profile Dream year of the World Champions includes Le Mans victory
Loïc Duval, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish have won the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Audi. This is what you should know about the new World Champions.
Did you know that... ... Loïc Duval and his wife Gaëlle, whom he married in September, and son Hugo recently moved to Geneva? ... the Audi factory driver, together with French Soccer World Champions Bicente Lizarazu and Christian Karembeu, played in a charity soccer match in October? ... Tom Kristensen has been having the names of his children, Oliver Victor, Carla Malou and Oswald William, painted on the sides of his helmet since 2007? The back of the helmet shows the word ‘Videre,’ a Danish expression that means ‘carry on,’ which his father Carl Erik often used. ... Allan McNish, since the beginnings of his racing career in karting in 1981, has been wearing helmets with the Scottish Hunting MacInnes Tartan on them? ... Allan McNish’s motto is: “Always go flat out?” ... the favorite track of Allan McNish is Suzuka? ... all three drivers, on taking the WEC title, have won a World Champion’s title in motorsport for the first time in their careers? ... the trio has clinched the tenth World Champion’s title for Audi? The company’s track record reflects the 1982 and 1984 manufacturers’ World Rally Championship, the 1983 and 1984 drivers’ World Rally Championship, the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in the 1995 FIA Touring Car World Cup and in the 2012 WEC, plus now in 2013. ... Allan McNish is the first ever Scottish World Endurance Champion and the first British World Endurance Champion in 21 years? ... Allan McNish is the first Scotsman since Colin McRae in the 1995 season to have won a World Champions’ title in car racing? ...