Audi Tradition at many international events in 2024
Experience history through vehicles from Audi’s historical collection, lectures at the Audi museum mobile, and events around the world From Aspen to Zwickau: Audi Tradition presents automotive treasures
Audi Tradition is poised to participate in over a dozen international events in 2024 as the classic car season begins. Mainstays of the event calendar include the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England (July 11–14), two classic car rallies at Audi’s home sites – the Donau Classic (June 27–29) in and around Ingolstadt and the Heidelberg Historic (July 11–13) in Neckarsulm – as well as the Sachsen Classic in Dresden and Zwickau (August 15–17). For 2024, the Audi museum mobile, as always, has a varied program in store. In addition to special exhibitions on the history of aerodynamics, the museum of the brand with the four rings will continue its series of lectures and again take part in International Museum Day (May 19) and the Night of the Museums (September 7).
For Audi Tradition, the 2024 event season kicks off early this winter: The Ice Race in late January in Zell am See, Austria, will be followed by the Bremen Classic Motorshow (February 2–4), where Audi Tradition will showcase a first-generation Audi RS 4 Avant at a joint booth with the Volkswagen Group brands. Visitors can head there for advice on spare parts for their classic cars. One weekend after the trade fair, Audi Tradition will be on the road in the Rockies and the Alps: An Audi 90 quattro IMSA-GTO and Michèle Mouton’s 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak will represent Audi Tradition at the Aspen Ice Race (February 8–10). The historic Histo-Monte winter rally will take place simultaneously, taking participants on the trail of the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. At the event, Walter Röhrl will pilot the Audi Sport quattro S1 E2, the original rally car he drove in the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally.
Ken Block and the Audi S1 Hoonitron electrify Las Vegas
Electrikhana film featuring US drift artist celebrates world premiere All-electric prototype developed and deployed by Audi Sport Spectacular shoot in Las Vegas with motorsport icons from Audi
When US drift artist Ken Block releases his long-awaited Electrikhana video today, the Audi S1 Hoonitron will be featured as one of the principal performers: Developed and assembled at Audi Sport in Neckarsulm, the all-electric prototype that was styled by Audi Design taking cues from an Audi icon thrills viewers. The link to the film: YouTube.com/thehoonigans
A drift along the famous Eiffel Tower, a spectacular jump from the parking deck of a neighboring hotel, or donuts on the legendary strip in front of spectating Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen: Ken Block, the Audi S1 Hoonitron, and other models from Audi Tradition’s collection of treasures made a splash during the night-time film shoot in Las Vegas. The US star in the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron electrified the gambler’s paradise in Nevada’s desert for several days. Now Ken Block has released the cinematic product. “With the S1 Hoonitron we broke entirely new ground at Audi,” says Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “Developing a fully electric prototype for the unique requirements of our partner Ken Block was a big and exciting challenge to which the whole team rose with flying colors. It is great to see how ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ is presented in an all-new environment.” The Audi S1 Hoonitron has two electric motors, all-wheel drive, power galore, a carbon fiber chassis, and fully complies with the safety standards of the FIA, motorsport’s governing body. Audi Sport developed it as a one-of-a-kind car exclusively for Ken Block. Its body shell, for which Audi Design led by Marc Lichte is responsible, immediately evokes memories of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 with which the four rings charged to the top in the famous Pikes Peak hill-climb race.
Images for your search
Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak
Annual Program Audi Sport Quattro S1 “Pikes Peak”
Audi Sport quattro S1 (E2), model year 1987
Audi Tradition starts the 2018 festival season
This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron
Audi develops all-electric one-of-a-kind car for “Elektrikhana” video Legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 serves as the base for Audi designers Ken Block: “This project makes a dream come true for me”
It instantly brings back memories of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 with which the four rings used to charge to the summit in the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb event, aka the “Race To The Clouds:” Audi is presenting the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron that has been exclusively and uniquely developed for American drift artist Ken Block. The all-electric one-of-a-kind car will be the protagonist in a new video that Block is producing together with his team for release in the next few months.
“The S1 Hoonitron combines a lot of what Audi was already famous for in the nineteen-eighties,” says Ken Block, whose enthusiasm for Audi’s rally cars was sparked at an early age. “For instance, the car’s spectacular aerodynamics have now been translated into a totally modern form. I think it’s cool that the Audi designers have been inspired by their own past and uniquely transferred the car’s technologies and appearance into the present.” Two electric motors, all-wheel drive, power galore, a carbon fiber chassis, and the full safety standards as prescribed by motorsport’s top governing body, the FIA – these are merely the S1 Hoonitron’s statistics. In November, the driver got to know the car for the first time. “Audi gave me the opportunity to test it for a few days in Germany,” says Ken Block. “I’m familiar with a wide variety of cars using internal combustion engines and transmissions, but there were a lot of new things for me to learn here. Spinning into a donut at 150 km/h directly from standstill – just using my right foot – is an all-new experience for me. Our work was focused on getting the car and I used to each other. My thanks go to the whole Audi Sport squad for their outstanding teamwork.”
Audi Tradition to celebrate multiple anniversaries in 2024
As a service for the media and fans, the “Anniversary Dates 2024” booklet details over 30 anniversaries across Audi’s history It highlights various aspects of Audi’s history, including products, the company, and motorsports
The most notable anniversaries at a glance: In the “Anniversary Dates 2024” digital booklet, Audi Tradition details this year’s anniversary highlights and summarizes over 30 historically significant events spanning products, the company, and motorsports. The booklet is now available for download in English and German from the Audi MediaCenter.
The anniversaries that Audi Tradition is celebrating in 2024 are as varied as the history of the brand with the four rings itself. The Audi 50 turns 50, the Auto Union GmbH in Ingolstadt turns 75, and Audi founder August Horch established his first company in Cologne 125 years ago. The anniversary booklet lists over 30 anniversaries, including a look at Audi models launched over 30 years ago receiving their “H” number plates in 2024. Among these is the Audi A8; its launch in 1994 marked Audi’s entry into the luxury class. Made in Neckarsulm and unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, the sedan pioneered the Audi Space Frame, a body made entirely of aluminum. The iconic Avant RS2 also turns 30 in 2024. Developed as a joint project between Audi and Porsche, the Avant RS2 established the tradition of RS high-performance models. The booklet devotes an entire chapter to the RS2. Audi Sport quattro turns 40: A powerful production car from Germany For Audi Sport, 1984 turned out to be especially successful. The season kicked off with a victory when Walter Röhrl won the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in an Audi quattro in January. Stig Blomqvist and his co-driver Björn Cederberg went on to win the World Drivers’ title and Audi took the World Manufacturers’ title. The season ended in victory for Harald Demuth.
50 years of the Audi five-cylinder
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 Audi RS 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 Audi RS 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.
Audi’s most important motorsport successes
R8 LMS GT3) Winner TCR Eastern Europe (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR Europe (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR Russia (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Racing NM Class 2 (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner South African Endurance Series (Audi R8 LMS GT4/GT3) Winner South Island Endurance Series 3 Hour (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Sports Car Championship Canada presented by Michelin TCR Drivers (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Thailand Super Series (Audi R8 LMS GT3) 2021 Winner Sebring 24 Hours (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner ADAC GT Masters (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Baltic Touring Car Championship TCR (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Belcar Endurance Championship Touring Car Division (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Campeonato de España de Resistencia TCR (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Sprint (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Championnat de France de la Montagne Voitures de Production Pilote (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner China Endurance Championship (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner China GT Championship (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Eset Cup Endurance TCR Drivers (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS Pro-Am Drivers (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Drivers (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup Overall Drivers (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner GT America GT2 (Audi R8 LMS GT2) Winner GT2 European Series Pro-Am Drivers (Audi R8 LMS GT2) Winner GT4 European Series Pro-Am Drivers (Audi R8 LMS GT4) Winner Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Sports Car Championship Canada presented by Michelin TC Drivers (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR Australia (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR DSG Europe (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR New Zealand (Audi RS 3 LMS) 2020 Winner Drivers, Manufacturers and Teams classification DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM) Winner Canadian Touring Car Championship TCR (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo
Audi Sport’s ultimate meeting of electrified prototypes: “e-tron on track”
Versatile electric drives from Audi around motorsport Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz meet Tom Kristensen at Audi Sport’s “e-tron on track” event in Neuburg, Germany Five fascinating models show rapid technical progress
They stand for efficiency and enthusiasm in equal measure: Five high-performance Audi models for racing and action embody the path of electrified drives. The brand was among the pioneers in 2012 when it began electrifying its drivetrains in racing. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro from Le Mans, the Formula E race car e-tron FE07, the Dakar Rally prototype RS Q e-tron and the two show cars e-tron Vision Gran Turismo and S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron have now met for the first time. Nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen met with the current three Audi drivers from the Dakar program to experience the progress made.
Electric, fast-paced and emotionally stirring: The five models that were united for the first time at Audi Sport in Neuburg an der Donau even inspire seasoned race drivers. After decades of professional experience and major victories, Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz were impressed by the development of electric drives. With “Mister Le Mans” Tom Kristensen, the professional who drove the forefather of all e-tron models in motorsport during his career was on hand at “e-tron on track.” It was eleven years ago when Audi celebrated the first victory with a hybrid drive in the Le Mans 24 Hours with the R18 e-tron quattro and the titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC. “After Audi had already demonstrated its pioneering spirit with the quattro in rallying in the eighties, Le Mans was later a first-class technology laboratory,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl. “That’s where the story of our alternative powertrains began, which continues to set new milestones to this day. We inspire millions of fans with them and show worldwide how attractive and effective electric drives are.”
Audi R18 e-tron quattro: heading for Le Mans with all-wheel drive
Latest electrified generation of the successful all-wheel drive Audi sets benchmarks in terms of assembly space, weight and performance Four more weeks to go before the start of the Le Mans 24 Hours
In a month from now a prestigious success will be at stake for Audi. On June 16/17, a hybrid vehicle could be winning the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time.
Electrified drive and quattro all-wheel drive – what looks like two different worlds at first glance has been merged into a technological synthesis by Audi. “Soon after the TDI phase had begun we started to think about the hybridization of a Le Mans sports prototype, when it was foreseeable that the regulations would open up this option,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “After exploring the concepts we quickly saw the opportunity of bringing a new technological specification of all-wheel drive back into motorsport. Unfortunately, it had been banned from circuit racing since 1998.” From 1981 to 1997, Audi won four titles in the World Rally Championship, clinched three victories at Pikes Peak, a championship win in the TRANS-AM, two DTM titles and eleven national Super Touring Car Championships plus a Touring Car World Cup with quattro models. For the first time since the 1998 ban an all-wheel drive model is now allowed to compete in the FIA’s circuit racing program. Yet what sounds like a simply return has been one of the biggest tasks ever tackled by Audi Sport to date. Packaging an additional front-wheel drive and a hybrid system into a sports car is particularly difficult due to the space conditions. With a width of two meters and a length of 4.65 meters the car has large outer dimensions. But underneath the outer shell there is a monocoque construction which in motorsport has been quite classically optimized for totally different aspects than the integration of a drive axle and incorporation of a hybrid system.