The iconic Audi Quattro changed the German brand forever. While all-wheel drive is ubiquitous today, that wasn’t the case in the 1980s. Audi’s system pioneered AWD traction in rally and road cars alike, but the boxy Quattro also ascended to legendary status because of its timeless styling and charismatic five-cylinder engine. Now, a British automotive startup called Audacious Automotive has resurrected the famous Audi with a modern restomod. Called the IV, this creation keeps the original’s boxy profile but uses an insanely high-revving V8 in place of the original five-pot.
A Coachbuilt Masterpiece
Audacious Automotive
Audacious Automotive
Audacious Automotive
There can be no doubt about what the inspiration is behind the hand-built IV’s bodywork. The original Quattro DNA is plainly evident, from the white five-spoke wheels to the wedge-like lines that are so reminiscent of 1980s car design. Audacious has added a grille with its name and modernized headlights, while four big tailpipes jut out at the back, below an enormous wing. The IV uses new steel and aluminum bodywork, but customers can also order a carbon-fiber version of the restomod. Regardless of the material, Audacious worked hard to retain an analog appearance, with the car’s structure and cooling components not hidden behind glitzy body panels.
The IV may look like a reincarnated Audi Quattro, but each commission starts with the structural, electrical, mechanical, and control architecture of the B7 RS4. This V8-powered sports sedan is widely regarded as one of the best cars ever built by Audi, and it was specifically chosen due to its rigidity, well-tuned suspension, and manual gearbox.
Audacious Automotive
The cabin has fresh switchgear and plush materials, but it stays true to the analog theme. There are traditional dials, plenty of tactile buttons, and no sign of any distracting screens.
“The original Audi quattro was never simply another performance car. Its unmistakable silhouette, extraordinary traction and mechanical character created a legend that has endured for generations,” said the automaker. “Audacious IV takes that idea considerably further.”
Incredible V8 Power
Audacious Automotive
The Audacious IV lives up to its name when you take in its performance credentials. It has a 4.2-liter V8, a Torsen AWD system, and a six-speed manual. The V8 is available in four configurations, starting with a 600-horsepower supercharged version. A 750-hp supercharged version with enhanced cooling is available, too.
The most hardcore enthusiasts are likely to opt for the remaining two options, though, both of which can rev to 10,000 rpm. One is naturally aspirated and one is supercharged, the latter being “the most ambitious expression of Audacious IV”. Performance claims have not been made, but one can only imagine what it must be like to pilot a high-revving manual V8 machine that weighs as little as 2,645 pounds (with the carbon-fiber shell).
Availability and Pricing
Audacious Automotive
A mere 50 examples of the Audacious IV will be produced and no two examples of the restomod are expected to be exactly the same. According to Autocar, it will start at £350,000 (around $470,000), and the first delivery is scheduled for late in 2027. Audacious founder Mac Zaglewski said that getting the car from commission stage to the road takes three years in its entirety, so some customers are in for a lengthy wait.
The combination of faithful Quattro styling, B7 RS4 underpinnings, and immense performance makes for a stunning resurrection of the rally legend. Yes, only well-heeled collectors need apply, but the Audacious IV will tug at the heartstrings of anyone with an emotional attachment to the Quattro.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog