Audi rallye Quattro A2
Audi rallye Quattro A2 at Ingolstadt piazza.

Lighten up, slim down

The rallye Quattro A2 was a direct development of the Quattro A1, but homologated mid-year 1983 to fit the new Group B regulations which now held a turbo factor at 1.4, pushing for a reduction of the displacement to a 2133 cc maximum if to allow the 960 kg minimum class.

The end result came in the shape of keeping with the 79.5 mm bore matching a short stroke crankshaft, giving it 2110 cc and a FIA-displacement of 2954 cc. Most A2s used primarily the K27 turbos, but a new, better-flowing tubular manifold, Bosch Motronic engine management and an increassed compression-ration really amped what was to be from the Audi 10V engines, also setting the basis of what was to be seen in the much later 200 Trans-Am rated at 510~550 hp.

Quattro A2 of Mouton at the 1983 New Zealand
Audi Quattro A2, Mouton 1983 New Zealand

Overall, the A2 had finally became a rather agile, lightweight (for a Quattro!) rally car, thanks to the chassis perfection built at Matter & Obermoser, with many tweaks seen over the 3 years of developing the Quattro chassis.

The A2 really is a well-built, end-of-the-era for the long wheel-base Quattro, even if it never got to become a significant light weight contender in its class of WRC at around 1100 kg. However, I know of a purpose-built hill climb A2, weighing in at a mere 960 kg only!

Audi Quattro A2 Gr B
Walter Röhrl in Quattro A2 for 1984 Monte Carlo.

Engine: inline 5, alu block, alu head, 10V.
Capacity: 2110 cc by bore 79.5 mm x 85 mm stroke
Compression-ratio: 6.5:1
Power: 360 hp / 7000 rpms
Torque: 450 Nm / 4000 rpms

Kevlar fenders, while bonnet, hatch, doors and side windows were made of plastic. Noticeable by two vents in rear fenders, and wider fenders allowing up to 11″ wheels. First used at Corsica 1984 and last in RAC 1984.

0 – 100 km/h in approx 4.5 seconds, when gearing is set to top speed at 185 km/h – same as Quattro A1.

Although all A2s had the 10 valved alu-engines, there is also rumored there was one car featuring the new 20V engine later found in the rallye Sport Quattro. I have never gotten around to seeing any evidence of it, but it is highly plausible some rallye Quattro A1 or A2 would run as a R&D test bed for the Sport Quattro at Audi Sport.