[urq] Interesting Info...

[Tim Maskus]

Someone had posted info on 1 86 URQ being sent to the U.S.  This site shows
it to be true.

  1980-1991 Audi Quattro Coupe

by the Auto Editors of Consumer
Guide<http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/>
<http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1980-1991-audi-quattro-coupe.htm/printable>

 The 1980-1991 Audi Quattro Coupe was the first series-production car with
full-time all-wheel-drive since the rare late-'60s Jensen FF and was a
prelude to many future AWD Audis. The series bowed in Europe during 1980 and
in America two years later.

The 1980-1991 Audi Quattro Coupe featured front suspension and sheetmetal
shared with contemporary 80/90 sedans (called "4000" in the United States)
but offered unique fastback coupe bodywork behind the cowl, plus a rear
suspension with essentially duplicate front-end components (struts and coil
springs plus fixed "steering arms").

The 1980-1991 Audi Quattro Coupe was sold mostly with a five-speed manual
transmission teamed to a turbo-charged, air-to-air intercooler version of
the 2.1-liter inline five from the senior Audi 100/200 series (called "5000"
in the United States); a normally aspirated 2.2 was available in certain
markets from the mid-'80s.

All-wheel drive (with center and locking rear differentials) made this a
nearly unbeatable European rally car for several years, but a lightweight,
short-wheelbase "homologation special" actually had less success than the
stock models.

The series began the worldwide industry craze for high-performance all-drive
road cars -- including other Audis, which is one reason the car was dropped
from the United States after 1985 (though limited production continued for
Europe all the way through 1990). But that historical significance, plus
relative rarity and technical appeal, would seem to ensure its place as a
future collectible.

*Pluses of the 1980-1991 Audi Quattro Coupe:*

   - As for 1981-1987 Coupe/Coupe
GT<http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1981-1987-audi-quattro-coupe-coupe-gt.htm>plus
successful, pioneering concept
   - Spirited performance (8 seconds 0-60 mph, up to 130 mph maximum)
   - Great poor-weather traction
   - Rally-winner appeal
   - Not costly

*Minuses of the 1980-1991 Audi Quattro Coupe:*

   - Exact appreciation potential unclear now
   - Some parts bound to be scarce in a few years
   - Audi image still tarnished in the United States

*Production of the **Audi Quattro Coupe (U.S. calendar-year sales)
*

   - 1982: 287
   - 1983: **240
   - 1984: **65
   - 1985: **73
   - 1986: 1

*Specifications* of the **1980-1991 Audi Quattro Coupe** (U.S. models):*
*Wheelbase, inches:* 99.5
*Length, inches:* 178.2
*Weight, pounds:* 3,055-3,115
*Price, new: *$35,000
*
*U.S. Models*