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The original Audi Sport quattro has long surpassed the status of an ordinary sports car.
The Group B homologation special from the golden era of rallying is now one of the most desirable collectible Audis, and prices for the best-preserved examples have already reached millions of euros. That is why it comes as no surprise that the HSR Type 859, a modern interpretation of the legendary model created by German company HSR Manufaktur, has attracted so much attention.
This is not a restoration of the original car, but a heavily modified Audi Coupe B2. To faithfully recreate the appearance of the Sport quattro, HSR shortens the wheelbase by 320 millimeters, installs a roll cage and builds almost the entire body from carbon fiber. The goal is to keep the weight below 1,200 kilograms, which is an impressive figure considering the car’s power.
The biggest change can be found under the hood. Instead of the original 2.1-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, HSR has installed Audi’s well-known 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine from the previous-generation RS3.
The engine has been further modified and produces between 500 and 600 horsepower, depending on the specification. Power is delivered through a reinforced six-speed manual gearbox to all four wheels via a permanent quattro all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen differential.
HSR did not choose an automatic transmission
Fans will be especially pleased that HSR did not choose an automatic transmission. The gear lever remains an essential part of the driving experience, along with the distinctive sound of the turbocharged five-cylinder engine, one of the trademarks of Audi’s performance models.
However, the mechanics are completely modern. The Type 859 features a new adjustable suspension, carbon ceramic brakes and a handcrafted interior that combines the recognizable look of the original with modern materials and technology.
HSR will produce only 84 examples as a tribute to 1984, the year when Audi dominated the World Rally Championship. The starting price is around 500,000 euros before taxes, and the company will not accept orders on a first-come, first-served basis. Potential buyers will have to submit an application, after which the manufacturer will decide who receives one of the limited production slots.
In recent years, we have seen numerous Porsche, Lancia Delta Integrale and Ford Escort restomods, but the HSR Type 859 could be one of the most convincing attempts to revive a car that defined the golden era of rallying. It is not a replica, but a modern interpretation that aims to preserve the most important element: the character that made the Sport quattro a legend.
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