A British backdating startup is building a tribute to the Audi UR Quattro using the bones of the B7 RS4. Audacious Automotive prefers to call it “an exercise of continuation, rather than modification,” founder Mac Zaglewski told Autocar, but it’s only the box-arched coupe’s styling that’s been continued.
Instead of the original 2.1-liter five-cylinder turbo motor, Zaglewski has made the, er, audacious, move to a 4.2-liter V-8 from the second iteration of the RS4, launched in 2006. “If Audi carried on with the platform, would it end up close to this, and would it end up being a lightweight V-8 rather than a heavy five-cylinder?” pondered Zaglewski, so he went ahead.
Although an easier route may have been to take a more size-appropriate platform and powertrain, such as the RS3, Zaglewski wanted to maintain the UR Quattro’s longitudinal engine layout and rear-biased power delivery via a Torsen differential. The B7 RS4 was also available with a manual transmission, and that helped swing the decision.
Not content with the RS4’s original output of more than 400 hp, Zaglewski is fitting a supercharger to boost power beyond 600 horses. An all-new body will also make it over 500 pounds lighter than the RS4.
The styling, which is still a work-in-progress, is an aggressive exercise that mixes the classic rally-ready S1 Quattro with a more modern look to the front end. The first car utilizes a mix of steel and aluminum, but the plan is for production models to use carbon fiber for the ultra-wide bodywork.
Should you wish to commission an Audacious Quattro, you’ll need to provide two donor cars (a Coupe and an RS4) and part with around $470,000.
Report by Nik Berg
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