From Powder to quattro: Todd Richards' Lifelong Audi Journey

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For professional snowboarder and NBC Sports analyst Todd Richards, Audi has been far more than a way to get from one mountain to the next. For nearly three decades, the Four Rings have been a constant part of his life, from his first Audi 90 quattro Sport to a garage that has included some of the brand’s most sought-after performance cars.

On this episode of All Wheel Driven, Todd joins host Joe Kucinski to talk about his lifelong connection to Audi and how the brand became such a natural fit for his life as a snowboarder. After purchasing a brand-new 1995 Audi 90 quattro Sport from Stammler Porsche & Audi in Boulder, Colorado, Todd quickly discovered the advantages of quattro while making regular trips into the mountains. The combination of winter capability, performance and practicality helped turn that first Audi into the beginning of a nearly 30-year relationship with the brand.

Todd also takes us through some of the standout Audis that have occupied his garage over the years. Among them are an Imola Yellow B5 S4 Avant, a C6 S6 Avant, a rare B5 RS 4 with just 9,000 miles, and multiple generations of the TT RS. Each car has its own story, from tuning the S4 for high-altitude performance to Todd’s regret over selling his B5 RS 4.

The conversation also explores Audi’s legendary turbocharged five-cylinder and Todd’s experiences with both the second- and third-generation TT RS, including development work with GIAC and AWE. And while the performance cars get plenty of attention, Todd explains why his Q7 may be the most important Audi in his garage. With more than 100,000 miles, it has served as a family vehicle, road-trip machine and powder-day transporter.

From the Audi of the 1990s to the brand’s modern performance cars, Todd reflects on how Audi has evolved—and what he hopes the brand never loses. Ultimately, his story is a reminder that the best Audi isn’t necessarily the newest or fastest one. It’s the car that becomes part of your life and the adventures that come with it.

▶️ Watch the episode below, or listen on your favorite podcast platform: Spotify | YouTube.

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