Audacious IV: a Quattro reimagined around the RS 4 V8
British specialist Audacious Automotive has unveiled the IV, a restomod that takes the shape of the Audi Quattro and rebuilds almost everything underneath it. The car combines the mechanical base of the RS 4 B7 with a manual gearbox and all wheel drive, and it will be built in just 50 examples. The project is independent and has no affiliation with Audi.
What the RS 4 B7 brings to the project
The silhouette is pure Quattro, with the muscular, rally inspired bodywork the original made famous. The substance, however, comes from the donor car. The RS 4 B7 supplies the lower structure and the mechanical and electronic architecture, including suspension geometry, steering and brakes. This base carries the new body and the adjustments made to its proportions.
Audacious then reworks the packaging of components, cooling and the drivetrain to suit the planned performance. The six speed manual and permanent four wheel drive remain central to the concept, which focuses on mechanical feel and driver involvement.
The cabin has a retro layout, although parts such as the steering wheel reveal the RS 4 origins. Trim, colours and instruments can be personalised, as can suspension character and mechanical specification.
A 4.2 litre V8 with four development programmes
Instead of the original five cylinder, the IV uses a 4.2 litre V8, offered in four programmes. The first two are both supercharged. According to the manufacturer, Stage One delivers about 608 PS and Stage Two about 760 PS, the latter adding work on the engine internals, fuelling, cooling and transmission.
The more unusual programmes target a maximum of 10,000 rpm, available either naturally aspirated or supercharged. No final power figure has been given for these, as they require specific machining and testing. The announced performance includes 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds and a top speed of around 322 km/h.
Carbon or metal bodywork
Of the 50 cars, 40 will have carbon fibre bodywork and ten will have metal bodywork. The difference matters for the build. Metal cars retain parts of the upper structure of an original Quattro, while the carbon cars use a new upper body and do not need an original Quattro as a donor.
Price and waiting time
Prices start at £350,000, roughly €420,000. That figure comes before donor vehicles, personalisation, registration and applicable taxes, so the final cost depends on the configuration each customer commissions. Buyers also need patience, as the process from project start to delivery takes about three years.
For Nordic enthusiasts, the IV is a rare chance to combine two eras of Audi performance: the look of a rally icon and a high revving V8 with a manual gearbox. It is built to order only, and with just 50 planned, availability will be very limited.
