The HSR Manufaktur 859 Brings the Audi Sport Quattro Back to Life

[Source: Top Gear]

The Audi Sport Quattro is one of the most legendary performance cars the brand has ever built. Created to satisfy Group B rally homologation rules, only 214 examples left the factory, making it one of Audi’s rarest and most desirable models. Now, nearly four decades later, German specialist HSR Manufaktur has brought the icon back to life with the all-new HSR Manufaktur 859.

As Top Gear reports, rather than building a simple replica, HSR has created a modern interpretation that stays remarkably faithful to the original while dramatically increasing its performance. The 859 is based on the Audi Coupe platform, which is shortened to match the Sport Quattro’s compact wheelbase. Extensive use of carbon fiber keeps weight in check, while the unmistakable box-flared fenders, upright grille, and aggressive stance immediately evoke the Group B legend.

Familiar Powerplant

Power comes from Audi’s iconic 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, an appropriate choice considering the original Sport Quattro also relied on a turbocharged inline-five. HSR offers multiple performance levels ranging from around 500 horsepower to an astonishing 600 horsepower, sending power to all four wheels through Audi’s renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system. That’s more than double the output of the original 1980s icon and enough performance to embarrass many modern supercars.

Inside, the 859 blends vintage styling cues with modern craftsmanship and technology. Buyers can extensively personalize the cabin with premium materials, creating a bespoke interior that matches the exclusivity of the car itself.

Limited and Expensive

Exclusivity, however, comes at a steep price. HSR plans to build just 84 examples worldwide, and each starts at more than €500,000 (about $570,000) before customization. That’s well into exotic-car territory, but for collectors who have always dreamed of owning a modern interpretation of Audi’s most famous rally machine, there is simply nothing else like it.

The HSR Manufaktur 859 isn’t intended to replace the original Sport Quattro. Instead, it celebrates one of Audi’s greatest engineering achievements while pairing its unmistakable design with contemporary performance and refinement. For Audi enthusiasts, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting tribute. The combination of the legendary Sport Quattro silhouette, a screaming turbocharged five-cylinder, and modern quattro performance makes the 859 one of the most exciting Audi-inspired creations we’ve seen in years. It’s a reminder that some automotive legends never fade, they simply evolve.