A Legend Reborn for the Modern Era
A Munich-based company called HSR Manufaktur, short for Homologation Specials Reimagined, has just unveiled its debut project: the Type 859. This isn't just another tribute; it's a meticulously engineered restomod that aims to capture the soul of the original
Audi Sport Quattro while correcting its flaws with modern technology. Instead of sacrificing any of the exceedingly rare original cars, HSR bases its creation on the more common Audi Coupe B2 from the same era. It’s the perfect solution: preserving history while simultaneously reinventing it for the world’s most exclusive garages.
Echoes of Group B Rally Glory
To understand the Type 859, you have to understand its ancestor. The original Audi Sport Quattro was a homologation special, a road car built in limited numbers purely to allow Audi to compete in the fearsome, and ultimately fatal, Group B rally category of the 1980s. With its revolutionary all-wheel-drive system, turbocharged five-cylinder engine, and short, unstable wheelbase, the Sport Quattro was a monster on the rally stage. It was a game-changer that cemented Audi's reputation for performance and technology, creating a legend that still captivates enthusiasts today.
The Heart of a Modern Champion
At the core of the Type 859 is an engine that respectfully nods to the past while embracing the present. HSR has fitted the car with Audi's modern 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine, the same 'DAZA' unit found in the previous generation RS3. But it doesn't stop there. The engine is completely rebuilt with forged internals and a motorsport-grade dry-sump lubrication system. The result is a driver-selectable output of between 500 and 600 horsepower, sent to all four wheels through a reinforced six-speed manual gearbox. Unlike in the RS3, the engine is mounted longitudinally for superior weight distribution, a key engineering improvement over the original.
Carbon Fibre and Clever Engineering
The Type 859's bodywork is a masterclass in modern craftsmanship. The entire exterior is crafted from lightweight carbon fibre, perfectly recreating the iconic boxy fender flares and aggressive stance of the original. The base chassis is shortened by more than 12 inches to achieve the classic Sport Quattro proportions. However, HSR cleverly stretched the wheelbase slightly, correcting the notorious high-speed instability of the 1980s car. The body also features active aerodynamic elements, including the front splitter and rear wing, a modern touch the original designers could only have dreamed of. The goal is a curb weight under 1,200 kilograms, promising a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio.
The High Price of Automotive Art
This level of engineering and exclusivity comes at a price. The HSR Type 859 starts at €500,000 (approximately $570,000) before taxes. Production will be strictly limited to just 84 units, a number chosen to commemorate Audi's 1984 rally championship victory. This isn't a car for just anyone; it's a functional piece of art for discerning collectors. HSR reports strong interest and has already received letters of intent from buyers in the US, Germany, and Switzerland. It’s a testament to the enduring power of the Quattro legacy that a car existing only in renderings is already spoken for by the world's elite collectors.
