Gravel Hero: The Group 4 Style 1988 Audi Quattro Evolution

1988 Audi Quattro

Few vehicles carry the historical weight of the original Ur-Quattro when it comes to revolutionizing the world of competitive racing. This 1988 Audi Quattro represents a professional evolution of that heritage, modified extensively to mirror a Group 4 rally machine. Purchased by the seller in 2017, the car underwent a massive transformation to integrate modern power with classic eighties aesthetics. It now stands as a high-performance tribute to the four-wheel-drive technology that captured twenty-three outright WRC victories.

1988 Audi Quattro

Rally Bred Exterior and Michelle Mouton Livery

The body of this 1988 Audi Quattro is finished in a striking white base adorned with the iconic Audi Sport livery. This specific design pays homage to the red, silver, and brown colors used during Michelle Mouton’s 1982 Acropolis Rally win. Beyond the paint, the car features a carbon-Kevlar roof panel and aggressive Group 4-style wheel arches for a wider stance. A raised rear spoiler and six Bosch Rallye driving lights ensure the car looks ready for a night stage.

1988 Audi Quattro

Verkline Chassis Components and Braid Wheels

Handling is significantly improved through the use of Verkline front and rear subframes paired with tubular control arms. The 1988 Audi Quattro sits on sixteen-inch Braid five-spoke wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tires for maximum pavement grip. Adjustable coilovers allow the driver to fine-tune the ride height and damping characteristics for different road conditions. Red-painted calipers peek through the wheels, highlighting a braking system that has been prepared for the rigors of spirited driving.

1988 Audi Quattro

A Stripped Cockpit Built for Competition

The interior of this right-hand-drive 1988 Audi Quattro is a dedicated racing environment designed for function over comfort. A Thompson Racing Fabrication roll cage provides structural rigidity and safety, complemented by a Safecraft fire-suppression system. OMP Racing JRC-R bucket seats are trimmed in black cloth with white piping and secured by RaceQuip harnesses. A Wilwood hydraulic handbrake and a billet aluminum shifter with exposed linkage give the driver total control over the vehicle’s dynamics.

1988 Audi Quattro

Works Style Dash and Halda Rally Computer

Navigation and data monitoring are handled by a Works-style dash panel featuring central fuse banks for easy access. The co-pilot side is equipped with a Halda Rally Computer-E system and a specialized overhead map light for timing. A black microsuede MOMO steering wheel sits ahead of a ten-thousand-RPM tachometer and a one-hundred-twenty-mile-per-hour speedometer. These instruments provide the vital feedback necessary when pushing this turbocharged five-cylinder engine to its limits on the gravel.

1988 Audi Quattro

AAN Engine Performance and Garrett Turbo Specs

Under the hood, the 1988 Audi Quattro features a retrofitted 2.2-liter 20-valve AAN inline-five engine installed in 2020. This power plant is built with forged connecting rods and a Garrett GTX Gen 2 turbocharger for massive boost pressure. An RS2-style exhaust manifold and a Milltek Sport stainless steel exhaust system allow the engine to breathe freely while producing a legendary five-cylinder growl. A VEMS Motronic ECU manages the tuning, while a Ron Davis aluminum radiator keeps temperatures stable during high-load operation.

1988 Audi Quattro

Summary of the Ur Quattro Rally Transformation

This car is a deeply engineered machine that honors the technical superiority of the original Audi all-wheel-drive system. By combining a carbon-Kevlar body with a modernized 20-valve engine, the builders created a vehicle that is faster than the original. The inclusion of spare Braid wheels and a branded Bell helmet makes this a complete package for any rally enthusiast. It remains a definitive icon of the Group 4 era that is prepared for its next high-speed adventure.

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Source: bringatrailer.com

1988 Audi Quattro
1988 Audi Quattro
1988 Audi Quattro
1988 Audi Quattro