The Debut of Quattro

This is where the slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” truly comes to life. The impressive traction, permanent all-wheel drive, and two manually lockable differentials make the Audi Quattro ideal for both smooth and icy roads.

Where Did the Idea for Quattro Come From?

The concept originated from Jörg Bensinger, head of Audi’s test department. A few years earlier, during testing in Finland, he was impressed by the winter performance of a Subaru Leon 4WD Station Wagon – a 1972 military-spec four-wheel-drive model.

This sparked the idea. Bensinger convinced Audi’s management to begin development of a 4×4 system based on the Audi 80. Prototype testing delivered excellent results. Production was officially approved.