Thread: 1984 Audi S1. The WRC Group B Terror

The Audi Sport Quattro S1 was introduced at the end of 1984 as an update to the Audi Sport Quattro. The car featured a inline 5-cylinder engine that displaced 2,110 cc (128.8 cu in) and produced an officially quoted figure of 350 kW (480 PS; 470 bhp). However, the turbocharger utilized a recirculating air system, with the aim of keeping the turbo spinning at high rpm, when the driver closed the throttle, either to back off during cornering, or on gearshifts. This allowed the engine to resume full power immediately after the resumption of full throttle, reducing turbo lag. The actual power figure was in excess of 500 bhp (373 kW; 507 PS) at 8000 rpm.

In addition to the improved power output, an aggressive aerodynamic kit was added that featured very distinctive wings and spoilers to the front and rear of the car to increase downforce. The weight was lightened to just 1,090 kg (2,403 lb), and now accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.1 seconds. Some of the cars were supplied with a "power-shift gearbox", which is said to be a forerunner of today's Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) technology.

The S1 proved to be an immediate success in the rally circuit, helping Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer win the 1985 San Remo Rally. A modified version of the S1, was also driven by Michèle Mouton. The S1 evolution would become the final Group B car produced by Audi, with the works team withdrawing from the Championship following the 1986 rally in Portugal.

Twenty years after the cancellation of Group B, the Sport Quattro S1 was still widely regarded as the most powerful rally car ever fielded in international competition, with the final factory machines of 1986 rated at an incredible 441 kW (600 PS; 591 bhp). In addition to Group B competition, the S1 won the 1985 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with Michèle Mouton in the driving seat, setting a world record time in the process. This victory was repeated in 1987, this time at the hands of Walter Röhrl.
Wikipedia had the only article I could find

This car is unbelievable, even by modern standards, and I hope to one day build myself a replica.

Here are a few links to people who have decided to build replicas, to varying degrees:

building a sportquattro - Page 20 - S2Forum - The Audi S2 Community

Gatebil :: Vis Temaet - AUDI S1 PIKES PEAK BIL FERDIG med ny video

twenty S1 - Audi Sport Quattro S1 - ableitet.no

Some videos:


Note: At 2:08 the car is in a full on drift doing a 4wd burnout. Badass.

Michelle Mouton's old quattro lives by my parents house

props to you tumbler, amazing vid's. reminded me why i bought my audi in the first place.

heritage. always good to look back.

Having been present for a demonstration run of a Pikes Peak car in 1987 when I worked at the Audi dealer it is still a vibrant memory for me. Any car that can do a 4-wheel burnout for 100 ft over two speed bumps without much effort is stunning. The official power output numbers were much lower than the actual numbers according to the rumors I remember. The output was more in keeping with the Trans-Am cars numbers of a couple of years later.

And that is why I still drive my S6 with that engine almost every day.

Even in stock form, the Quattro Coupe is still one of my favorite body styles from the 80's.

Easily one of my favourite cars, and you gotta love quattro, even today it's the best awd system.

20v 5cyl is the best motor audi ever produced...it was ahead of its time then and can still perform now...there are dudes making 800+ hp with those motors....straight nasty

The factory engineers detuned the 20V AAN engine by almost 50% to help the realiability and durability of the drivetrain.

I have experience with a completely stock engine, airbox to catalytic converter, with 110K on it making 415hp at the wheels on a chassis dyno a few years ago. The way to get it there was to maximize the fuel and boost curves to the potential.

so I don't know where the limit for a racing version would really be? 1000- 1200hp?

Originally Posted by N360LL

The factory engineers detuned the 20V AAN engine by almost 50% to help the realiability and durability of the drivetrain.

I have experience with a completely stock engine, airbox to catalytic converter, with 110K on it making 415hp at the wheels on a chassis dyno a few years ago. The way to get it there was to maximize the fuel and boost curves to the potential.

so I don't know where the limit for a racing version would really be? 1000- 1200hp?

there are a few documented 1000+hp ones out there.......and more then a few 700 to 800hp