Audi Sport Quattro revival appears more artificial than awesome
A startup is promising to reimagine the iconic Audi Sport Quattro, but its heavy use of AI leaves questions as to whether it’ll get off the ground.
The Audi Sport Quattro stands as one of the most recognisable rally cars from what many deem the ‘golden era’ of the sport, having been at the forefront of Group B with its screaming five-cylinder engine.
More than 40 years after winning the WRC title in 1984 with Stig Blomqvist behind the wheel, the Sport Quattro appears to be making a comeback, thanks to new firm Homologation Specials Reimagined (HSR) Manufaktur.
The brand’s website is making big claims about the HSR Type 859, which it says is made by starting with the donor chassis from an Audi Coupe B2 (upon which the original Sport Quattro was based) that is shortened by 320mm and given a considerable makeover.
This includes a carbon fibre body which is semi-Group B, part Pikes Peak and a bit modern too, though it’s under the skin where the biggest changes will reportedly be made.
By taking the ‘DAZA’ 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine out of the modern Audi RS3, the Type 859 will make about 400kW or even more, and feature a mechanical all-wheel drive system, complete with a Torsen centre differential.
Images of the Type 859 look to be appealing, though at this stage it only exists in renderings, with some of the photos being very clearly AI-generated or at least assisted.
On the firm’s website, it has called for investors to “help us make it real”, saying it’s “seeking strategic partners to join us in bringing Prototype Zero to life and launching a global brand”.
“Don't just watch the legend return. Be the one who makes it happen.”
HSR also says that its “Our roadmap includes a pipeline of reimagined icons from DTM, GT1, and Rally history. We are building a sustainable manufacturing house for the world's most desired automotive assets.
Speaking to Top Gear, HSR said prices will start from €500,000 (A$821,950) plus taxes, while adding it holds “formally signed Letters of Intent and direct inbound inquiries from collectors across several countries,” said HSR.
“We are seeing the highest volume of demand originating from the USA, Germany and Switzerland, with additional global build allocations actively managed.”
Time will tell as to whether HSR ends up building its 64 planned examples of the Type 859.
Jordan Mulach
