Audi Quattro All-Wheel Drive System Celebrates 40th Anniversary... 10.95 Million Units Produced

More than 44% of All Audi Models This Year Equipped with 'Quattro All-Wheel Drive'

The Audi e-tron S, boasting a maximum output of 370 kW (boost mode) and a maximum torque of 973 Nm (Photo by Audi)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Audi's all-wheel-drive system 'quattro' has celebrated its 40th anniversary.

According to Audi on the 9th, as of September 30, Audi has produced a total of 10,947,790 quattro vehicles. This year alone, 499,379 quattro vehicles were produced, meaning that more than 44% of all Audi models produced this year are equipped with the quattro all-wheel-drive system. The quattro all-wheel-drive system is applied to all models, including high-performance S and RS models, except for the compact Audi A1.

Quattro is a lightweight, compact, efficient, and low-tension all-wheel-drive system, particularly suitable for fast and sporty cars and mass production. Since Audi first introduced quattro at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show, it has continuously developed the quattro all-wheel-drive system and achieved various successes.

The standard model, the original quattro with 147 kW (200 PS), underwent several technical improvements and remained part of the lineup until 1991. In 1984, the Sport quattro with an output of 225 kW (306 PS) was added to the lineup. In 1986, with the launch of the Audi 80 quattro, the first automatic locking center differential was introduced, mechanically distributing driving torque between the front and rear axles at a 50:50 ratio.

The first Audi Quattro model (Photo by Audi)

In 1995, the 'Audi A6 2.5 TDI,' the first diesel engine model equipped with permanent all-wheel drive, was launched. In 1999, the quattro all-wheel-drive system technology with an electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch was introduced to the small segment A3 and TT model series with transversely mounted engines. In 2005, a technical leap was made with the release of a center differential capable of asymmetric and dynamic 40:60 power distribution between the front and rear axles. In 2007, Audi introduced the 'Audi R8' for the first time, incorporating a viscous coupling on the front axle, followed a year later by a rear axle sport differential. Then, in 2019, the brand introduced the electronic quattro through its first pure electric vehicle, the e-tron.

In 2019, Audi entered the era of electronic all-wheel drive by launching the e-tron and e-tron Sportback. Both electric SUV models drive the front and rear axles with electric motors, and the suspension and drive control systems work closely together to distribute ideal driving torque variably between the front and rear axles.

To improve efficiency, the electric SUVs use only the rear electric motor in most situations, and the front motor is immediately activated when the driver demands more power. The front motor also activates when excessive slip is predicted on icy roads or during sharp cornering. Through the suspension control system, precise handling is possible across a wide range from excellent stability to sportiness.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.