https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-audi-v8-3/
” data-medium-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-7.jpg” data-large-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure.jpg” class=”aligncenter wp-image-1739372 size-large” src=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”459″ srcset=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure.jpg 610w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-6.jpg 75w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-7.jpg 450w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-8.jpg 768w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-9.jpg 120w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-10.jpg 800w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-11.jpg 940w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>In our last Rare Rides, we discussed how the W126 S-Class established the model as a default for the large German sedan shopper. I also referenced the failed attempt at S-Class competition which was the Audi V8 Quattro.
So today let’s expound upon that failure a bit.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-audi-v8-3/
” data-medium-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-13.jpg” data-large-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-1.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739370″ src=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-1.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”458″ srcset=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-1.jpg 610w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-12.jpg 75w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-13.jpg 450w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-14.jpg 768w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-15.jpg 120w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-16.jpg 800w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-17.jpg 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Prior to the V8 Quattro, Audi had built sporty small four-wheel drive cars, and luxurious midsize cars with front- and four-wheel drive versions, but never a full-size car. That changed in the fall of 1988 when the company started production of its new flagship.
Aside from its size, the V8 Quattro carried a couple of other firsts for the brand. It was the very first time any Audi used a V8 engine and predicting the future of the brand a couple of decades later, it was the first Audi to combine Quattro all-wheel drive with an automatic transmission. Imagine Audi’s crossover sales in 2020 if all-wheel drive required a manual. Laughable!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-audi-v8-3/
” data-medium-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-19.jpg” data-large-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-2.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739368″ src=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-2.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”350″ srcset=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-2.jpg 610w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-18.jpg 75w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-19.jpg 450w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-20.jpg 768w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-21.jpg 120w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-22.jpg 1497w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Audi did not create an all-new platform for their new large car, but rather stretched one from the 100/5000 instead. The resulting larger chassis was called the D1, and Audi layered on technology and features for its first-ever full-sizer. The body was galvanized steel and carried a 10-year corrosion perforation warranty. There were two all-new engines to power the V8 Quattro, in 3.6- and 4.2-liter displacements. Earlier examples from 1988 through the model’s discontinuation in November 1993 offered the 3.6 (247hp), while the 4.2 (276hp) was only available from late 1991 onward. The automatic transmission on offer was a ZF-built four-speed, while the manual transmission depended on engine selection. Cars with the 3.6 offered a five-speed manual, but the 4.2 offered a six-speed. It’s worth remembering that outside North America, a V8 engine was not usually standard equipment for a large luxury sedan. Buyers would normally opt for the V8 over many smaller 6 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, and pay a hefty premium.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-audi-v8-3/
” data-medium-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-24.jpg” data-large-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-3.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739362″ src=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-3.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”458″ srcset=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-3.jpg 610w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-23.jpg 75w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-24.jpg 450w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-25.jpg 768w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-26.jpg 120w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-27.jpg 800w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-28.jpg 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Standard equipment on the V8 Quattro included many niceties for which other manufacturers of the day charged extra. Climate control, cruise control, central locking, tinted glass, Bose stereo, car phone, halogen lamps, and walnut trim to name a few. But its most notable feature was the Quattro system. It was the only full-size luxury sedan on sale with all-wheel drive.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-audi-v8-3/
” data-medium-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-30.jpg” data-large-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-4.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739366″ src=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-4.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”458″ srcset=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-4.jpg 610w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-29.jpg 75w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-30.jpg 450w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-31.jpg 768w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-32.jpg 120w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-33.jpg 800w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-34.jpg 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Not that it mattered to most consumers, who sought rear-drive for their large luxury cars circa 1990. The V8 Quattro could not compete with established German players like the 7 Series and S-Class, even with its novel method of power distribution. The unsuccessful V8 Quattro was discontinued at the end of 1993, as in 1994 the D2 A8 was ready as Audi’s second full-size salvo. It did much more respectably and was more in line with its competition than the debut version (and had six-cylinder engines for Europe). North America had no large Audi again until 1997 when the A8 was finally delivered.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-audi-v8-3/
” data-medium-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-36.jpg” data-large-file=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-5.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739364″ src=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-5.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”458″ srcset=”https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-5.jpg 610w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-35.jpg 75w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-36.jpg 450w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-37.jpg 768w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-38.jpg 120w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-39.jpg 800w, https://wooautorepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rare-rides-the-1990-audi-v8-quattro-first-time-full-size-failure-40.jpg 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Today’s Rare Ride was sold on Bring-A-Trailer back in 2016, as I couldn’t find a remotely decent example for sale today. Nagging reliability and a probable lack of parts availability took most V8 Quattros off the road long ago. In pearl white (the correct color) over black, this one sold for $3,000 in excellent condition.
[Images: seller]
