
The history of the Quattro transmission is inseparable from that of Audi. Launched in the 1980s, this system has had a profound impact not only on the automotive sector, but also on the world of rallying, where it has proved its worth.
All-wheel drive is a concept that dates back to the early days of the motor car. In 1899, Ferdinand Porsche invented the first electric car to be equipped with four motors (one for each wheel), but it was only four years later that the Dutch firm Spyker presented the first car equipped with an internal combustion engine and all-wheel drive. However, the first vehicles to be fitted with them were developed for military use, so that they could go anywhere. This was the case with the famous Jeep, which is associated with the Second World War. In the 1960s, the Jensen FF, developed in collaboration with Ferguson, was the first attempt at a passenger car equipped with four-wheel drive. Although very exclusive, it was not a great commercial success.

Chance has its way
It wasn't until the mid-1970s that Subaru fitted its first all-wheel drive system to a saloon. The system greatly improved roadholding and became a speciality of the Japanese firm, now recognised as a pioneer in the field. At Audi, it was a little later that the idea germinated in the mind of Jörg Bensinger, chassis engineer at the brand with the rings. During a test in the far north, during which some prototypes were stuck in the snow, the staff used a Volkswagen Iltis to get them out of this bad situation. He then imagined using all-wheel drive on an Audi. Ferdinand Piëch, head of the development department, was won over by the idea and decided to develop a prototype.
An Audi technical team installed the transmission of an iltis on a normal Audi 80. With few resources and some clever ideas, a system was developed. For the tests, the car's engine was replaced by a 160 bhp turbo power unit. The project was presented to the Board of Directors, who were impressed. It became official and was given the name EA262, for Entwicklungsantrag 262 or ‘Development Request 262’ in French. Road tests were then undertaken.

Technical difficulties
The use of all-wheel drive brings with it a number of technical challenges that the engineers have to tackle one by one. The gearbox, for example, had to transmit the engine's power to the front as well as the rear. After a great deal of thought, Audi's technical staff decided to use a hollow transmission shaft which could then contain another shaft turning in the opposite direction. This simple and ingenious solution is the key to the smooth operation of the system developed by the brand with the rings.
While the technology is advancing, Volkswagen's decision-makers also need to be convinced of the relevance of such a technical revolution. Tests were organised in a snow-covered mountain pass and the car behaved well. It did, however, have a tendency to hop around on tight bends. It was at this point that the decision was taken to fit a centre differential to eliminate this phenomenon. The group's managers were interested and agreed to mass production, although they had little faith in it.
In 1980, Audi unveiled the first production car equipped with the Quattro system at the Geneva Motor Show: the Audi Quattro. Ferdinand Piëch organised a demonstration on an ice rink to demonstrate the virtues of all-wheel drive.

Proven by the rally
The Quattro innovation came into its own when Audi decided to introduce the system to the world of motor sport, and more specifically to the World Rally Championship (WRC). In 1981, the Audi Quattro made its competitive debut and quickly changed the game. The all-wheel drive system, unusual at the time, proved to be a major asset on rough terrain and in difficult conditions such as snow and mud.
The Audi Quattro made its debut on the rally circuit with a win in its first season, thanks to drivers like Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist. This performance marked a turning point in the history of rallying, with all-wheel-drive cars now dominating the sport. The Quattro's enormous advantage over other vehicles, particularly those with front or rear wheel drive, quickly became apparent.
Audi went from strength to strength, winning its first Manufacturers' World Championship title in 1982. This triumph was followed by numerous victories, and Audi established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of rallying. The ingenuity of the Quattro transmission enabled Audi to outperform its rivals, offering exceptional performance even in extreme conditions. In 1984, Audi even won the first edition of the Paris-Dakar Rally.

Generalisation
Building on the success of its rally car, Audi decided to adapt Quattro technology for its production models. In 1984, the Audi 80 Quattro became the brand's first saloon to feature all-wheel drive. This model marked the start of a new era for Audi, which gradually adopted this technology on several of its cars, whether sports cars, family cars or even luxury cars.
The following years saw the arrival of new models equipped with Quattro transmission, including the Audi S2 in 1985, the Audi RS2 in 1994, and later the Audi A4 Quattro and the Audi Q5. These production vehicles benefit from the advantages of the system, offering greater stability, improved grip and enhanced safety, particularly in difficult driving conditions.
Audi is continuing to perfect its system, notably with the introduction of electronic transmission management, which enables a more dynamic distribution of power between the wheels. Quattro technology is also evolving with the adoption of advanced electronic management systems that allow torque distribution to be adjusted according to the needs of each wheel, thus improving the vehicle's responsiveness.

New applications
Over the decades, the Quattro transmission has distinguished itself not only by its performance, but also by its integration into an increasingly diverse range of vehicles. Audi manages to combine Quattro technology with other innovations, such as turbocharged engines and driver assistance systems, to offer cars that are both powerful and safe.
Audi's sporty models, such as the R8, RS7 or RS Q8, still benefit from Quattro technology, which remains one of the brand's strong points. Today, Audi continues to perfect its Quattro system by adapting it to electric and hybrid engines, paving the way for more efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles.
At the same time, Audi has also integrated Quattro into its off-road vehicles and SUVs, such as the Audi Q7, Q5 and Q3. In these models, Quattro all-wheel drive not only ensures stable driving on the road, but also good off-road capabilities.
