For most of us, “Audi” is synonymous with “Quattro.” It’s an all-wheel drive technology so ubiquitous throughout the company’s vehicles that it’s hardly worth highlighting anymore as a selling feature.
And yet, where did this system come from? It’s present in Audi’s coupes, roadsters, sedans, crossovers and SUVs, giving all the ability to traverse difficult terrain with ease. Did the company make its humble beginnings with nothing more than a couple of wheels and an all-wheel drive philosophy?
Kind of. In the late 1970’s Ferdinand Piëch, the grandson of legendary Dr. Porsche, left Porsche because of a new agreement that no member of the Porsche family could direct the company any longer. Too much squabbling. Ferdinand knew quite a lot about automobiles thanks to his family’s heritage, and made the transition to Audi. At that time, Audi had become a distinct automotive brand for the first time since before World War II, and had just entered the U.S. market. Piëch was determined to make something of the company.
He challenged his engineers to make a new car that adhered to one goal: that it be wonderful to drive. A chassis engineer named Jörg Bensinger had recently been in Finland to witness a series of tests on the Volkswagen Iltis (the Germany army’s version of a snow-ready Jeep) that used a unique chassis system. The Iltis was unbeatable in the snowy forests, so Bensinger began developing a similar design.
It was a good design. It could climb hills with gradients above 30% (San Francisco’s famously steep streets peak in the mid-30 percentages), and he felt comfortable submitting it for approval. What Bensinger did not anticipate was one of the higher-ups letting his wife use it to run errands. On a shopping trip to Vienna, the woman complained about the car jumping around and lacking the finesse for easy parking. Jörg, where was your mind! The German army, after all, has different goals than the average shopper in Vienna!
With a new differential to smooth out low-speed maneuvers, the design was complete. The newly-christened Quattro was born, and would not only introduce all-wheel drive to the masses—it would revolutionize rally car racing and set new standards for the sport. Rear-wheel drive became abandoned in rally racing because everyone wanted to copy Audi’s new technology. The Quattro was also excellent at its original function—driving in snow—which makes it a favorite among skiers and mountain-townspeople.
If all this Quattro talk has got you hankering to experience it in Audi’s 21st century application, come by to test the newest models and learn what else is new with Audi.