The iconic Audi Quattro is getting a dramatic modern revival through the Audacious IV, a hand-built restomod that combines the original rally legend’s unmistakable styling with a high-revving V8 engine. Developed by British automotive startup Audacious Automotive, the car retains the Quattro’s distinctive boxy profile while introducing modern engineering, all-wheel drive and a manual transmission.
Unlike the original Audi Quattro’s five-cylinder engine, the Audacious IV uses a 4.2-liter V8 available in four configurations, including versions capable of reaching 10,000 rpm. Production will be limited to 50 examples, with prices starting at £350,000, or around $470,000.
Audacious IV Brings Back the Audi Quattro’s Iconic Design
The Audacious IV draws heavily on the original Quattro’s design, preserving its angular bodywork, wedge-shaped profile and recognizable proportions. White five-spoke wheels reinforce the connection to the classic rally car, while modernized headlights and a grille bearing the Audacious name give the restomod its own identity.
At the rear, four large exhaust pipes sit beneath an oversized wing. The bodywork is constructed from new steel and aluminum, although customers can also choose a carbon-fiber version.
Audacious has maintained an analog appearance throughout the design, leaving structural elements and cooling components visible rather than concealing them behind elaborate body panels.
B7 RS4 Architecture Provides the Foundation
Despite its close resemblance to the original Audi Quattro, the Audacious IV is built around the structural, electrical, mechanical and control architecture of the B7 Audi RS4.
The V8-powered sports sedan was selected for its structural rigidity, well-tuned suspension and manual gearbox. These components provide the foundation for the IV’s modern performance-focused engineering.
The interior follows the same philosophy as the exterior, combining fresh switchgear and plush materials with traditional controls. Conventional dials and tactile buttons dominate the cabin, while distracting screens are absent.
A 4.2-Liter V8 Offers Four Performance Configurations
The Audacious IV combines a 4.2-liter V8 with a Torsen all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed manual transmission. The engine is available in four configurations, giving customers several options for the car’s performance character.
The range begins with a supercharged version producing 600 horsepower. Buyers can also select a 750-horsepower supercharged configuration featuring enhanced cooling.
The other two versions are aimed at enthusiasts seeking higher engine speeds. Both can rev to 10,000 rpm, with one using natural aspiration and the other employing a supercharger. The company describes the supercharged, high-revving configuration as “the most ambitious expression of Audacious IV.”
No performance figures have been announced. However, the car’s combination of a high-revving V8, manual transmission and all-wheel drive is central to its appeal.
With the optional carbon-fiber body, the Audacious IV weighs as little as 2,645 pounds, adding to the appeal of its performance-focused design.
Audacious IV Production Limited to 50 Cars
Audacious Automotive plans to build just 50 examples of the IV. Each car will be commissioned individually, and no two examples are expected to be exactly alike.
Pricing starts at £350,000, equivalent to around $470,000. The first delivery is scheduled for late in 2027.
The company’s founder, Mac Zaglewski, said the process of taking a car from the commission stage to the road takes three years in its entirety, meaning customers should expect a lengthy wait for their vehicles.
A Modern Tribute to the Original Quattro
The Audacious IV combines the original Audi Quattro’s angular styling with the B7 RS4’s underlying architecture and a powerful V8 engine. Its analog cabin, manual transmission and all-wheel-drive system reinforce its focus on mechanical engagement.
With production capped at 50 cars and a starting price of around $470,000, the Audacious IV is an exclusive reinterpretation of one of Audi’s most recognizable performance models.
