Audi Race Cars

1. Audi Quattro

Quattro's success in rallying demonstrated the effectiveness of 4WD and put Audi on the map.

The Audi Quattro is made its mark in the early 1980s and is often credited with changing the world of rallying and race car engineering through its innovative use of four-wheel drive (4WD). The Quattro's success demonstrated the significant advantages of 4WD, particularly on loose surface rallies.

The Audi Quattro was introduced to the WRC in 1980, and its impact was immediate and profound. With its superior traction on gravel, snow, and wet tarmac, the Quattro was able to outperform its rear-wheel-drive competitors, fundamentally shifting the competitive landscape of the WRC. Audi's pioneering use of 4WD in the Quattro is often regarded as one of the most significant technological advancements in the sport's history.

The Quattro's rallying success began in 1981, with the car winning its first WRC event at the Rally Sweden, driven by Hannu Mikkola. This victory marked the beginning of a dominant era for Audi in the WRC. The Quattro secured the Manufacturers' Championship for Audi in 1982 and 1984, and it also helped drivers Hannu Mikkola (1983) and Stig Blomqvist (1984) win the Drivers' Championship.

Audi Quattro Achievements:

• 1981: 3 victories in the World Rally Championship

• 1982: Winner Manufacturers World Rally Championship

• 1983: Winner Drivers World Rally Championship

• 1984: Winner Drivers & Manufacturers Rally Championship

2. Audi R8 (LMP)

Five wins at Le Mans (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005) plus victories in ALMS and ELMS.

The Audi R8 race car is a legend in the world of endurance racing, marking a significant period of dominance for Audi in sports car racing from its debut in 2000 until it was succeeded by the Audi R10 TDI in 2006. Developed by Audi Sport, the R8 was designed to compete in the Le Mans Prototype class (LMP), specifically targeting the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world.

The Audi R8 featured a lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis, a departure from the carbon fiber construction commonly used by its competitors. Powering the R8 was a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, notable for its reliability and the relatively low cost of maintenance. A key feature of the R8's design was its innovative approach to pit stops. Audi engineers developed a quick-change system for the car's rear transmission section.

It dominated, winning Le Mans five times, and it won the ALMS LMP1 class championship every year it competed from 2000 to 2005. It also claimed victories in other prestigious events and series, cementing its status as one of the most successful racing cars of its era.

Audi R8 Racecar Achievements:

• 2000: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner Sebring 12 Hours, Winner ‘Petit Le Mans’, Winner American Le Mans Series

• 2001: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours), Winner Sebring 12 Hours, Winner ‘Petit Le Mans’, Winner American Le Mans Series, Winner European Le Mans Series

• 2002: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner Sebring 12 Hours, Winner ‘Petit Le Mans’, Winner American Le Mans Series

• 2003: Winner Sebring 12 Hours, 3rd place Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner ‘Petit Le Mans’, Winner American Le Mans Series, Winner 1000 km Spa and 1000 km Le Mans

• 2004: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner American Le Mans Series, Winner Le Mans Endurance Series, Winner Sebring 12 Hours, Winner 1000 km Monza, Winner 1000 km Nürburgring, Winner 1000 km Silverstone

• 2005: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner American Le Mans Series, Winner Sebring 12 Hours, Winner 1000 km Silverstone

3. Audi Sport quattro S1

Despite its brief stint in the WRC, left a lasting impact on the world of motorsport.

The Sport Quattro S1 was a development of the original Audi Quattro for homologation into the monstrous Group B rally series.

The Sport Quattro S1 featured a highly advanced and powerful version of Audi's 2.1-liter, inline-5 turbocharged engine, capable of producing over 450 horsepower in its later evolution stages, with power figures rumored to be much higher in certain configurations. This immense power, combined with the car's all-wheel drive system, allowed it to excel on the diverse and challenging terrains encountered in rally racing.

To comply with Group B regulations, Audi made significant modifications to the original Quattro, including shortening the wheelbase to improve handling. The body was constructed using lightweight materials like Kevlar and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, significantly reducing weight and improving performance. The S1 also featured distinctive aerodynamic enhancements, including large front and rear wings and aggressive bodywork, to increase downforce and stability at high speeds.

The Audi Sport Quattro S1's most notable success came in 1985 when it secured a victory at the challenging Sanremo Rally, driven by the legendary Walter Röhrl. However, the S1's career in WRC was relatively short-lived due to the cancellation of the Group B category at the end of the 1986 season.

Audi Sport Quattro S1 Achievements:

• 1985: Winner Rally San Remo, Winner Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race, Winner Rally Hong Kong–Beijing

• 1986: Winner Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race

• 1987: Winner Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race

4. Audi 200 Quattro Trans-Am

Audi was effectively banned by the SCCA. Audi in fact took the chequered flag eight times.

In 1988 Audi took part for a year in the American TransAm race series. It represented the company's first attempt at a road-racing car for more than 50 years. The 200 Quattro Trans-Am was a pure monster.

The engine installed in the Audi 200 quattro was the turbocharged five-cylinder unit that previously powered the world rally championship cars, in the meantime developing 510 bhp. It weighed only 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs), and fitted with Audi's famous Quattro all-wheel drive system.

It proved quick right from the start and terrified the rest of the grid. Appeals were quickly made to do something about it, with the rest of the grid trying everything to level the playing field. As a result, the regulations were tweaked and changed throughout the season to hinder Audi. For example, they forced the Germans to carry a 50 kg (110 lbs) ballast which was later increased to 100 kg (220 lbs); they tried to narrow their car's air restrictor and even forced them to use narrower tires.

It didn't work. Audi in fact took the chequered flag eight times, a total which secured the manufacturers’ title as well. Enough to secure the title for the American driver Hurley Haywood. A German automaker just came in and schooled the American teams in 1988, and so, in 1989, the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) changed the rules to ban all-wheel drive systems and the use of any engine made outside of the United States.

Audi 200 Quattro Trans Am Achievements:

• 1988: Winner TransAm Series

5. Audi R18 e-tron quattro

Showed hybrids could offer big performance advantages while being fuel efficiency.

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro represents a significant milestone in the history of endurance racing, being Audi's first hybrid sports car developed for the Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) class. It made its debut in 2012 and competed in various iterations until 2016. It was notable for its advanced technology, performance, and efficiency, which helped Audi secure multiple victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro was built on the foundation of its predecessor, the diesel-powered R18 TDI, but introduced hybrid technology to the mix. It featured a turbocharged V6 TDI engine driving the rear wheels, combined with an energy recovery system that captured kinetic energy from braking. This stored energy was then used to power an electric motor on the front axle, providing temporary all-wheel drive and an additional boost of power, particularly useful when exiting corners.

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro's racing career is highlighted by its success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it won on its debut in 2012 and continued to secure victories in 2013 and 2014. Beyond Le Mans, the R18 e-tron quattro also excelled in the FIA World Endurance Championship, helping Audi to compete effectively against strong rivals in the LMP1 class. Its helped to push the boundaries of what was possible with hybrid race cars, influencing the future direction of motorsport technology and regulations.

Audi R18 e-tron Quattro Achievements:

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  2012: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner drivers’ and manufacturers’ FIA World Endurance Championship

• 2013: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner drivers’ and manufacturers’ FIA World Endurance Championship

• 2014: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours

• 2015: 3rd place Le Mans 24 Hours

• 2016: 3rd place Le Mans 24 Hours

6. Audi 90 Quattro GTO

Seven wins in 13 races and the team came second in the manufacturers’ rankings.

After effectively being banned in Trans Am, Audi wasn't bothered because they had already laid plans to contest a different event in 1989. They wanted to go bigger and take on the IMSA (International Motor Sports Association).

Like the 200 Quattro that preceded it, the Audi 90 Quattro GTO was based on a regular road-going saloon car. The IMSA regulations were much more relaxed than those used in the Trans-Am, so the only part shared between the 90 models, and its racing brother was the steel roof panel.

Simply put, the Audi Quattro 90 IMSA GTO was purely insane. It weighed only 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) and was powered by a 2.2-liter inline five-cylinder engine capable now of producing nearly 720 hp (730 ps). Besides, it was still using Audi's good old Quattro all-wheel drive system.

The company was hoping to achieve at IMSA what they had achieved in the Trans-Am division the year before, which was total domination.The 90 GTO wasn't like the 200 Trans-Am at all. While the 200 had to be based on a high-volume road car, the GTO did not, and that changed it all. The car was built around a steel space-frame chassis and used lightweight composite materials for all of the bodywork. The wheelbase of the car had to match the production car, and spoilers had to be sold on 250 road-going units. Other than that, regulations permitted almost everything else to be changed.

Stuck winning five of the last seven races of the season. It all came down to the final race, and Audi had a real chance of victory. In the end they won seven races that season and finished second in the manufacturers rankings.

Audi 90 Quattro Achievements:

• 1989: 7 victories IMSA GTO Series (Audi 90 quattro)

7. Audi R8 LMS GT3

83 drivers titles won worldwide and 106 additional championship wins... and counting.

With 83 drivers titles won worldwide and 106 additional championship victories, the Audi R8 LMS is one of the most successful GT3 race cars.

The Audi R8 LMS GT3 is a highly successful race car developed by Audi for GT3 class competition, part of the broader R8 model line that includes both production sports cars and race-spec variants. Since its introduction, the R8 LMS GT3 has been a mainstay in GT3 racing around the world, competing in and winning numerous championships and marquee endurance races. Audi Sport customer racing has continually updated the R8 LMS GT3 to keep it competitive against a field of ever-evolving GT3 machinery from other manufacturers. The car is built to meet FIA GT3 regulations, which aim to ensure a level playing field among different manufacturers' cars through balance of performance adjustments. The focus of the R8 LMS GT3's design is on performance, safety, and reliability.

The Audi R8 LMS GT3 has achieved considerable success in GT3 racing across the globe. Highlights include wins at prestigious endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, 24 Hours of Spa, and victories in numerous GT3 championships worldwide. Its accessibility for amateur and gentleman drivers, combined with the capability to compete at the highest levels of GT3 racing, makes it a popular choice among privateer teams and factory-supported efforts alike.

Audi R8 LMS GT3 Achievements:

• Too many to list

8. Audi RS Q e-tron

Won the 2024 Dakar Rally, making history as the first electric vehicle to win Dakar.

In a stunning turn of events, Audi has clinched victory at the 2024 Dakar Rally with their RS Q e-tron, making history as the first electric vehicle to conquer this grueling endurance race. The Spanish duo of driver Carlos Sainz and navigator Lucas Cruz piloted this low-emission prototype to secure the coveted win.

This victory was no easy feat, as Audi had previously faced disappointment in their attempts to conquer the Dakar Rally. In 2022, the team encountered massive damage that dashed their hopes of victory. However, Audi was undeterred and worked hard to improve their machine, incorporating lessons learned from the 2022 event. Despite some highlights, including a stage win, they encountered unexpected issues such as tire losses, suspension damage, crashes, and rolls in the following year's race. Determined to succeed, Audi continued to refine the RA Q e-tron, and in 2024, their persistence finally paid off.

What sets the Audi RS Q e-tron apart is its EREV powertrain. It combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, borrowed from an Audi DTM racecar, to act as a generator for the battery pack that supplies power to electric motors driving each wheel. This setup results in a total system output of up to 670 horsepower. The victory at the Dakar Rally demonstrates that Audi's revolutionary electrified drive technology can overcome the toughest challenges in motorsport. 

Audi RS Q e-tron Achievements:

• 2024: Winner Dakar Rally

9. Audi R10 TDI

The first diesel-powered car to win at Le Mans, achieving this feat in its debut year, 2006.

The Audi R10 TDI is a revolutionary race car developed by Audi for the purpose of competing in the top tier of sports car racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unveiled in 2005, it was the first diesel-powered car to win at Le Mans, achieving this historic feat in its debut year, 2006. The R10 TDI's introduction marked a significant shift in endurance racing, demonstrating the potential of diesel technology in terms of performance and efficiency. It competed successfully in the Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) class until it was succeeded by the Audi R15 TDI in 2009.

The Audi R10 TDI was designed with a focus on harnessing the torque and fuel efficiency advantages of diesel technology. It featured a 5.5-liter V12 TDI engine, which was capable of producing over 650 horsepower and a massive 1,100 Nm of torque. This power unit was coupled with Audi's advanced aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and a highly efficient fuel system. One of the key advantages of the R10 TDI was its fuel efficiency, allowing for fewer pit stops for refueling compared to its gasoline-powered competitors.

The Audi R10 TDI's racing debut was at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2006, where it secured a victory, setting the stage for its historic run at Le Mans. The R10 TDI won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Beyond Le Mans, the R10 TDI also achieved numerous victories in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), dominating the LMP1 class during its competition years.

Audi R10 TDI Achievements:

• 2006: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner American Le Mans Series, Winner Sebring 12 Hours

• 2007: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner American Le Mans Series, Winner Sebring 12 Hours

• 2008: Winner Le Mans 24 Hours, Winner American Le Mans Series, Winner Le Mans Series

10. Audi A4 DTM (2004)

First developed for use in the 2004 DTM season. Nailed that series against fierce competition from Mercedes.

The Audi A4 DTM is a 4-door touring car (DTM) constructed by the German car manufacturer Audi. It was first developed for use in the 2004 DTM season, replacing the Audi TT DTM at the end of the 2003 DTM season. Based on the Audi A4, it was continually improved over the course of six facelifts between 2004 and 2011. The Audi A4 DTM was succeeded by the Audi A5 DTM in 2012.

In 2003, the motorsport involvement of Audi was concentrated on supporting customer and importer teams. The Audi marque returned to the race tracks with works teams: With a total of six newly developed touring cars based on the Audi A4, two Audi works teams will contest the DTM (German Touring Car Masters).

Audi continues its successful tradition in touring car racing with its DTM comeback. Audi won, from the word go in 1990 and 1991, the DTM championship title twice in succession with the V8 quattro. Between 1995 and 1999 the Audi A4 quattro was the world's most successful Super Touring Car. Since the year 2000, Team Abt Sportsline has competed in the 'new' DTM with coupés based on the Audi TT. The customer team secured the championship title in 2002.

The Audi A4 DTM with approximately 460 hp was developed by Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Team Abt Sportsline receives the status of a works team, handling the cars of Christian Abt, shooting star Mattias Ekström, DTM new entry Tom Kristensen and former junior Martin Tomczyk. Strengthening the Audi DTM squad in a prominent way will be the team from Reinhold Joest. The team which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times in succession in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 with the Audi R8, will run two A4 cars. Three-time Le Mans winners Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro will complete the high-caliber Audi driver line-up.

Audi managed to beat the all dominating Mercedes-Benz AMG Team and took all titles with the A4 DTM. Mattias Ekström took the driver's title and gave his season extra cachet by also winning two Group N rally class victories in the World Rally Championship on Swedish snow and Spanish tarmac.