As Audi celebrates anniversary of its world renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system, we take a closer look at its history, evolution and key strength and future.

Although officially introduced in 1980, the origin of quattro technology can be dated earlier back to the winter of 1976-77 according to Audi, when a group of Audi engineers were test driving in the deep snow in Sweden. The performance of a military all-terrain vehicle gave Audi the inspiration which led to a transmission that drives a center differential that split power delivery to the front and rear axles. Light, compact, tension-free and efficient, it was deemed for mass production vehicles.

Audi officially introduced the quattro system at the 1980 International Geneva Motor Show through a car named Audi Quattro, a coupe with 200 hp, in 1984, Audi added an exclusive Sport Quattro model with 306 hp, the range was repeatedly upgraded and remained in production until 1991.

In 1986 Audi repaced the first-genernation manual-locking differential with a Torsen (Torque Sensing) Differential, which is now capable of variable torque delivery.

In 2005, Audi advanced the quattro technology again by introducing the planetary drive that offered asymmetrical dynamic distribution of power.

Meanwhile, it was motorsport, rally racing in particular, that put Audi's quattro system on the map. Audi entered the WRC in 1981 and quattro started dominating the scene since 1982, during which Audi won 7 victories and took the manufacturer's championship; and driver's title followed in 1983, and in 1984 a double wami for Audi.

In 1985, Audi introduced the Sport Quattro S1 with more than 370 kW (500 hp), the 1,090 kg Audi S1 shot from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds.

In the following years, Audi shifted focus to touring car racing, winning American TransAm series in 1988, IMSA GTO series in 1989, driver's title in German Touring Car Championship (DTM) in 1990, and 1991. In 1996 Audi entered 7 national championships on three continents and won them all.

Today, Quattro is still packed with advanced technologies such as Audi's Electronic Chassis Platform (ECP), electromechanical Active Roll Stabilization (eAWS), predictive active suspension and Dynamic All-Wheel Steering (DAS), integrated Brake Control System (iBRS) that achieve ride comfort and sportiness at the same time, making driving ever more fun.

The success of Quattro is not likely to stop it pushing the envelope further. Future Audi vehicles equipped with integrated vehicle dynamics processor will handle longitudinal and lateral dynamics control as well as energy and powertrain management can simulaneously control and actuate up to 90 different components on the chassis at the same time.

Audi acheives saloon car level handling on SUVs using a technology named electromechanical roll stabilization (eAWS), on the front and rear axles which is actively adjusted according to driving condition at real time.

The bulk size of SUVs with the centre of gravity relatively further to the ground, and the law of physics mean SUVs lean to the side more than saloon cars while cornering at speed.

Traditional anti-roll bars on an axle reduces such effect by passively transfer opposite torsion torque onto suspesions on opposite sides of the axle, but it impairs ride quality over potholes and uneven road surface because the pure mechanical mechanism is always on.



Audi sorts to acheive the balance between agility and ride comfort by applying electronically monitored and dynamically adjusted suspension on each individual wheel and only adjust the stiffness of them when needed， with torque levels of some models reaching up to 1,200 Nm.

An example of the eAWS system at work is the 2019 Audi RS Q8 completing the famous Nordschleife in 7'42 in a test configuration.