Re: UrQ?

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <c=US%a=_%p=Pitcairn_Trust_C%l=BEETHOVEN-990113151255Z-1970@beethoven.pitcairn.com> Lawrence Bardfeld writes:

> Last night, browsing through a magazine (which should perhaps best
> remain anonymous for present purposes), I read the following,
> referring to Ferdinand Piëch's move to Audi in the late 1970s: "At
> Audi, Piëch continued to push for innovation . . . .  The result was
> the now famous Audi Quattro.  Basically, the marrying of a production
> sedan body with the all-wheel-drive system from a jeep, the Quattro
> started out life as a rather crude, but still effective vehicle . . .
> ."  I'm curious: is this probably a reference to the first UrQ?

Yes, it is.  Audi had already decided to compete in rallies, and had
picked the then Audi 80 chassis.  As a service vehicle, they chose the
'Iltis', which was an AWD vehicle aimed primarily at military and
forestry applications.  According to legend, the service vehicle
proved faster across some sections of forest stages than the rally car
itself, and the decision was taken to try the Iltis drive train in the
Audi 80 chassis.

The rest, as they always say, is history.  The Iltis is occasionally
referred to as the 'ur-ur-quattro'.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
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