The Original Quattro: A Game-Changer in Rallying

Unveiling the original Quattro at the Geneva motor show a year later, Audi entered it into the WRC and almost immediately started winning. This was the beginning of a period of unprecedented success for the Austrian manufacturer in the world of rallying. The Quattro's four-wheel drive system gave it an edge over its rear-wheel drive competitors, allowing it to tackle even the most challenging terrain with ease.

The new rules introduced by the authorities, known as Group B, further amplified the Quattro's dominance. With its four-wheel drive system and increased engine power, the Quattro became almost unbeatable on the rally circuit. Team Audi dominated the constructor's championship in 1982, followed by the driver's championship in 1983 and both titles again in 1984.

However, this period of success was marked by a series of tragic events. In March 1986, several people were killed and 30 injured when Yakim Santos's Ford crashed into the crowd after swerving to avoid a spectator. Just two months later, Henry Tovan and Sergio Cresto died in a similar incident involving their Lancia.

Group B was eventually banned due to safety concerns, but there was a reprise for the E2 model, which went on to conquer the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the hands of Walter Röhrl. This car is one of just 20 E2s ever made and today can change hands for around £1.8 million (approximately $2 million). Despite its relatively low price tag, the body was actually designed with F1 aerodynamicists, featuring arrow and Force spoilers that helped to reduce drag.

The S1 E2's development was a remarkable achievement, with nearly everything else on the car moved to the rear to accommodate the heavy 5-cylinder engine. The result was a car that was both highly functional and visually striking. To appreciate its capabilities, it's necessary to fire up the engine – and this is where Stig comes in.

Stig's underground test center, used by car makers and racing teams to develop everything from aerodynamics to acoustics, provides the perfect environment for testing the S1 E2. With no wind, rain, or weather to contend with, the team can focus on making the car as loud and aggressive as possible. Stig, who is currently unavailable due to a prior engagement (and not having his helmet), had two runs down the track – each one generating nearly 3.5 miles of racket.

To put this into perspective, 126 decibels is roughly equivalent to the sound of a group of people at a fireworks party in your front room. The noise generated by the S1 E2's engine is so intense that it can be heard from a distance – and yet, despite its ear-shattering capabilities, the car remains remarkably smooth. This is thanks in part to Stig's microphone-equipped helmet, which allows him to "hear" the sound of the car as if he were actually listening with his own ears.

With this unique setup, it's possible to recreate the tunnel run magic for our readers. By adding Stig's perspective and using Mike's specially designed microphones, we can bring the experience right into your living room. The result is a truly immersive experience that allows you to feel as if you're riding in the S1 E2 itself.

The S1 E2 remains one of the most fascinating and innovative cars in rallying history – and its legacy continues to inspire car manufacturers and enthusiasts alike. As we delve deeper into its capabilities and design, it becomes clear just how revolutionary this car truly is – and why it's worth fighting for a place in the annals of automotive history.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwelcome to the underworld my name is Becky Evans and this is The Stig secret lair down there is 1.7 miles of dead straight completely private tunnel there are no speed cameras and no neighbors it's the perfect place to make a lot of noise and that's exactly what we're going to do we're here to celebrate the sounds of combustion by letting the S loose in the world's loudest larious machines a band of Rockstar cars that go all the way to 11 this is the Top Gear tunnel run it's the sound of the Underground and it's going to get loud but first a quick geography lesson this is northamptonshire in the heart of the British Motorsport Valley and this is the kesby Tunnel built by the victorians it once shooked the sound of Steam Trains until it was abandoned in 1966 for over half a century it fell silent until recently it got a multi-million pound makeover turning this leaky old hole into a high-tech Automotive test site and Top Gear has exclusive access for its Ultimate Sound Check and speaking of sound checks let's see what we've got lined up for today the Audi Quattro or more accurately the sport Quattro S1 E2 it's what happens when rallying sets fire to the rule book this isn't just rallying royalty it's the king of the quatros everybody knows that Quattro is Audi's four-wheel drive system but it's iconic cars like this which made it famous made in 1985 the E2 was the last of Audi's Group B rally cars and it's most ferocious under the Bonnet is a 2.1 L 5 cylinder with a Turbocharger the size of a bucket in full boost mode is said to make 550 horsepower which is probably the most of any Group B rally car and the others are hardly shy all of this in a car which weighs just over a ton acceleration brutal 0 to 60 in around 3 seconds on almost any surface even by brute B standard it was a proper wild child but how did it come about in 1980 Audi surprised Everyone by unveiling the original Quattro at the Geneva motor show a year later they entered it into the WRC and almost immediately started winning then in 1982 World rallying changed Keen to create excitement the authorities relaxed the rules to encourage more invention excitement and speed they called the new rules Group B with its four-wheel drive system team Audi had a head start against rear wheel drive Rivals combined with the new regulations they were almost Unstoppable winning the constructor's championship in 1982 followed by the driver championship ship in 83 and both titles in 1984 with evolutions of the Quattro never again would a rear wheeel drive car win the WRC but they had some serious competition the likes of Lancia perso mg Ford and Renault also Unleashed their wildest Creations raising the stakes with ever faster and flimsier cars the S1 E2 arrived late in 1985 at the height of Group B Madness drivers somehow tamed their cars but they couldn't tame the crowds which formed human corridors along the stages then all hell broke close in March 1986 several people were killed and 30 injured when yakim Santos's Ford crashed into the crowd after swerving to avoid a spectator 2 months later Henry tovan and Sergio cresto died when their Lancia left the road and burst into flames group Group B was banned but there was a reprise for the E2 which went on to conquer the Pikes Peak Hill clim in the hands of Walter roll this car is one of just 20 e2s ever made and today they change hands for around1 1.8 million yes that's nearly 2 million quid for a car that's trimmed with plastic guttering but although it might look rustic the body was actually designed with F1 aerodynamicists it was the first time arrow and Force were really used in rallying the snowplow spoiler parted the air the skyscraper Wing stopped it from flying and these channels funneled the air around the car the 5-cylinder engine was heavy so they moved almost everything else to the back open up the boot and you'll find the battery alternator oil cooler radiators and fans all huddled inside but to really appreciate this thing you have to fire it up Stig you're a lucky boy today when Stig not home Kates B is a state-of-the-art Subterranean test center used by car makers and racing teams to develop everything from airrow to Acoustics there's no wind no rain no weather at all just a constant 10° day or night perfect conditions for 24/7 testing and to guarantee smooth running nearly 2 miles of tarmac was poured in one continuous flow with no joins by the same people who just resurf as Silverstone and with no bump bigger than just half a millimeter it's smoother than stig's helmet and to keep it that way crazy launches and burnout a band but nobody told Stig that plus you can make as much noise as you like so here's the idea sti's got two runs to make as much noise as possible that's nearly 3 and 1/2 miles of Racket let's see what it sounds like wo 126. 6 that's about as loud as a fireworks party in your front room this time we've got to do a rolling start so let's see STI run okay let's go wow that's exactly how I imagined it would sound as you could hear a group PE car come ripping past you at a rally that's serious I love it wait let's rewind that I want to see that again but this time we're going to Crank It Up a from the world rally stage to the Top Gear Sound Stage that was insane you want to hear it again me too but before that there's someone you need to meet firstly if you're not wearing any headphones get some on now trust me you really need them for this bit this is Mike inside Mike's ears are two microphones that record sound just like our own ears in 3D he he's shaped like this to mimic the way sound travels into and around our heads so when you play it back you hear what Mike hears as if you were actually hear listening with your own ears this isn't just surround sound it's Sonic sorcery it works everywhere I go this side that side are you freaked out yet now imagine what it sounds like when we put Mike in the passenger seat to bring that tunnel run magic straight into your ears you know the feeling windows down drop a few gears floor it build the noise with Mike's help we can recreate that for you right now let's head back to the Stig and this time you can go on board remember headphones on get ready to ride and I'll see you next time all a next time on the top gear tunnel runwelcome to the underworld my name is Becky Evans and this is The Stig secret lair down there is 1.7 miles of dead straight completely private tunnel there are no speed cameras and no neighbors it's the perfect place to make a lot of noise and that's exactly what we're going to do we're here to celebrate the sounds of combustion by letting the S loose in the world's loudest larious machines a band of Rockstar cars that go all the way to 11 this is the Top Gear tunnel run it's the sound of the Underground and it's going to get loud but first a quick geography lesson this is northamptonshire in the heart of the British Motorsport Valley and this is the kesby Tunnel built by the victorians it once shooked the sound of Steam Trains until it was abandoned in 1966 for over half a century it fell silent until recently it got a multi-million pound makeover turning this leaky old hole into a high-tech Automotive test site and Top Gear has exclusive access for its Ultimate Sound Check and speaking of sound checks let's see what we've got lined up for today the Audi Quattro or more accurately the sport Quattro S1 E2 it's what happens when rallying sets fire to the rule book this isn't just rallying royalty it's the king of the quatros everybody knows that Quattro is Audi's four-wheel drive system but it's iconic cars like this which made it famous made in 1985 the E2 was the last of Audi's Group B rally cars and it's most ferocious under the Bonnet is a 2.1 L 5 cylinder with a Turbocharger the size of a bucket in full boost mode is said to make 550 horsepower which is probably the most of any Group B rally car and the others are hardly shy all of this in a car which weighs just over a ton acceleration brutal 0 to 60 in around 3 seconds on almost any surface even by brute B standard it was a proper wild child but how did it come about in 1980 Audi surprised Everyone by unveiling the original Quattro at the Geneva motor show a year later they entered it into the WRC and almost immediately started winning then in 1982 World rallying changed Keen to create excitement the authorities relaxed the rules to encourage more invention excitement and speed they called the new rules Group B with its four-wheel drive system team Audi had a head start against rear wheel drive Rivals combined with the new regulations they were almost Unstoppable winning the constructor's championship in 1982 followed by the driver championship ship in 83 and both titles in 1984 with evolutions of the Quattro never again would a rear wheeel drive car win the WRC but they had some serious competition the likes of Lancia perso mg Ford and Renault also Unleashed their wildest Creations raising the stakes with ever faster and flimsier cars the S1 E2 arrived late in 1985 at the height of Group B Madness drivers somehow tamed their cars but they couldn't tame the crowds which formed human corridors along the stages then all hell broke close in March 1986 several people were killed and 30 injured when yakim Santos's Ford crashed into the crowd after swerving to avoid a spectator 2 months later Henry tovan and Sergio cresto died when their Lancia left the road and burst into flames group Group B was banned but there was a reprise for the E2 which went on to conquer the Pikes Peak Hill clim in the hands of Walter roll this car is one of just 20 e2s ever made and today they change hands for around1 1.8 million yes that's nearly 2 million quid for a car that's trimmed with plastic guttering but although it might look rustic the body was actually designed with F1 aerodynamicists it was the first time arrow and Force were really used in rallying the snowplow spoiler parted the air the skyscraper Wing stopped it from flying and these channels funneled the air around the car the 5-cylinder engine was heavy so they moved almost everything else to the back open up the boot and you'll find the battery alternator oil cooler radiators and fans all huddled inside but to really appreciate this thing you have to fire it up Stig you're a lucky boy today when Stig not home Kates B is a state-of-the-art Subterranean test center used by car makers and racing teams to develop everything from airrow to Acoustics there's no wind no rain no weather at all just a constant 10° day or night perfect conditions for 24/7 testing and to guarantee smooth running nearly 2 miles of tarmac was poured in one continuous flow with no joins by the same people who just resurf as Silverstone and with no bump bigger than just half a millimeter it's smoother than stig's helmet and to keep it that way crazy launches and burnout a band but nobody told Stig that plus you can make as much noise as you like so here's the idea sti's got two runs to make as much noise as possible that's nearly 3 and 1/2 miles of Racket let's see what it sounds like wo 126. 6 that's about as loud as a fireworks party in your front room this time we've got to do a rolling start so let's see STI run okay let's go wow that's exactly how I imagined it would sound as you could hear a group PE car come ripping past you at a rally that's serious I love it wait let's rewind that I want to see that again but this time we're going to Crank It Up a from the world rally stage to the Top Gear Sound Stage that was insane you want to hear it again me too but before that there's someone you need to meet firstly if you're not wearing any headphones get some on now trust me you really need them for this bit this is Mike inside Mike's ears are two microphones that record sound just like our own ears in 3D he he's shaped like this to mimic the way sound travels into and around our heads so when you play it back you hear what Mike hears as if you were actually hear listening with your own ears this isn't just surround sound it's Sonic sorcery it works everywhere I go this side that side are you freaked out yet now imagine what it sounds like when we put Mike in the passenger seat to bring that tunnel run magic straight into your ears you know the feeling windows down drop a few gears floor it build the noise with Mike's help we can recreate that for you right now let's head back to the Stig and this time you can go on board remember headphones on get ready to ride and I'll see you next time all a next time on the top gear tunnel run\n"