One to Buy: 41,000km Panthero Metallic 1990 Audi Quattro RR
From a commercial and sporting sense, Audi’s Quattro was the first machine to successfully harness four-wheel drive which means it ranks among the most significant cars of the 20th century.
Famously, despite opposition from radical Group B creations designed purely with the special stages in mind, the production-based Quattro was able to deliver WRC Manufacturer titles Audi’s way in 1982 and ‘84 along with the ‘83 and ‘84 Drivers’ crowns (for Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist respectively).
During a production run from 1980 to 1991, nearly 11,500 Quattros were produced in three distinct guises: the UR (1980 to ‘87), the slightly larger engined MB (1987 to ‘89) and the dual overhead cam RR with four valves per cylinder (1989 to ‘91).
Today, any mint, low mileage and unmolested iteration of the Quattro has become a highly prized collector’s piece. Set to go under the hammer at Broad Arrow Auctions’ sale on May 25th at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is potentially one of the best of all: a 41,000km RR from the penultimate year of production.
Originally delivered to Switzerland, chassis ‘000058’ was completed on July 20th 1990 in the handsome combination of Panthero Metallic over a Jacquard-Satin fabric with Granite Kodiak partial leather trim. Optional extras included an electric sunroof, green-tinted heat insulating glass, cruise control, air-conditioning and a laminated safety glass windscreen.
Since 2009, chassis ‘000058’ has been the recipient of substantial investment to include a respray in its original colour and a major mechanical overhaul.
Reprinted below is Broad Arrow Auctions’ description:
Chassis No. WAUZZZ85ZMA000058
Offered from the Autobau Erlebniswelt Museum Collection
Swiss-market, late-production quattro powered by a DOHC, 20-valve, turbocharged 2.2-liter five-cylinder engine producing 217 horsepower
Factory specification of Panthero Metallic over a Jacquard-Satin fabric-trimmed interior with Kodiak partial leather trim in granite
Offered with 41,239 documented kilometers at the time of listing
Major service including timing belt and water pump at 40,100 km in September 2021
Complete with its Audi Vehicle Identity Certificate
The Audi quattro fundamentally reshaped automotive engineering upon its 1980 debut, emerging from Audi's engineering department with a clear mandate: demonstrate the capabilities of all-wheel drive beyond traditional utility applications.
While outwardly similar to the contemporary Audi 80 Coupe, the quattro utilized a completely redesigned floor pan to accommodate its innovative four-wheel-drive system and independent rear suspension. The powerplant evolved from Audi's existing five-cylinder architecture—a 2.1-liter SOHC engine enhanced with turbocharging, delivering 200 horsepower in road specification.
The competition variants of the quattro dominated international rallying and proved instrumental in demonstrating the performance benefits of four-wheel-drive across all driving conditions. Through the talents of Michèle Mouton, Hannu Mikkola, Walter Röhrl, and Stig Blomqvist, the quattro secured World Rally Manufacturers' Championships in 1982 and 1984, followed by consecutive Drivers' Championships in 1983 and 1984. In doing so, the model cemented the four-wheel-drive future of top-flight rally cars, with every Manufacturers' Champion since 1982 utilizing the platform.
What began as a planned 400-unit homologation special evolved into a production run of 11,500 vehicles before manufacturing concluded in 1991. Technical evolution defined its production span: anti-lock brakes became standard (1983), followed by an enlarged 2,226-cc engine and Torsen center differential (1987), culminating in a twin-cam 20-valve configuration (1989).
This final, most refined, and powerful iteration of the original quattro bumped the output to 220 horsepower and was limited to only 934 examples before production ceased in 1991, making the 20V cars some of the rarest and most sought-after Audi quattro variants.
According to its Vehicle Identity Certificate, this particular Audi quattro 20V was completed on 20 July 1990 and delivered to the Swiss market on 27 September. It presents today in its original specification of Panthero Metallic over a Jacquard-Satin fabric-trimmed interior with Kodiak partial leather trim in granite.
Factory options included cruise control, manual air conditioning, a laminated safety glass windshield, anti-theft wheel bolts, a power sunroof, heat-insulating glass with green tint, and heated, electrically adjustable convex exterior mirror (passenger side).
When Autowelt Bachmann—a workshop specializing in classic Audis—purchased the car in 2009, the quattro 20V had already graduated from being just a used Audi to a collectible classic with approximately 39,000 kilometers. They embarked on a mission to bring the car back to showroom quality which included a full respray of the car in its factory color. Mechanical items were address as needed given the car's low mileage and fair mechanical condition, with services addressing the brakes (pressure accumulator and brake hoses), fuel system (new fuel pump and tank removal), and electrical system (battery, sensors, and switches).
Under Bachman's ownership, the car accumulated fewer than 1,000 kilometers as noted by a service invoice showing that the Audi had travelled 39,794 kilometers by June 2012.
In 2016, the quattro passed to Christoph Stäuble, who maintained the car for five years until 2021. The car then received a major 50,000-kilometer service at approximately 40,100 kilometers in September 2021, which included a timing belt and water pump replacement.
Just days later, on September 22, the quattro was acquired by the Autobau Erlebniswelt Museum, joining the collection of significant models.
Now offered with 41,239 kilometers at the time of listing, this quattro represents a fine late-production example of Audi's revolutionary all-wheel-drive flagship. With its exceptional refurbishment and service documentation, this Audi presents in remarkable condition with excellent driving dynamics. Particularly noteworthy is the fully operational digital dashboard—a feature that often fails in early digital instrument panels of this era. This quattro represents a pivotal moment in performance car engineering, when rally-derived technology redefined what was possible in a road-going sports car.
