ABT Ur-Quattro Restomod Unleashed with 523HP and Carbon Widebody

When Hans-Jürgen Abt took the reins of the ABT Sportsline empire from his father back in the late ‘80s, he didn’t just inherit a thriving tuning business—he also got the keys to an Audi Ur-Quattro. And true to form, he couldn’t resist turning it into something special.

“I flared the fenders and gave it a Sport Quattro makeover,” recalls Abt. “That meant swapping in the grille, headlights, and even lightweight white magnesium wheels from the legendary short-wheelbase rally icon. The result was a one-off creation that I drove for a couple of years before it became a permanent showpiece for the company.”

That original Ur-Quattro build pushed out a hefty 444 horsepower—impressive even by modern standards—but ABT has now taken things to another level. Meet the ABT Ur-Quattro restomod, a limited-production tribute blending iconic ‘80s rally styling with cutting-edge performance. And yes, it packs a jaw-dropping 523 brake horsepower.

A Modern Homage to an Audi Legend

Unveiled dramatically during the brand’s recent Friends of ABT gathering—think Steve Jobs keynote meets horsepower heaven—the reborn Ur-Quattro was initially announced as a 25-unit special. But when all 25 builds were spoken for in under three hours, ABT made room for five more, exclusively for loyal fans and long-time clients. That’s how hot this restomod is.

A few details have been confirmed while ABT is playing it close to the chest regarding full specs. Power comes from a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine, likely a heavily tuned version of the modern Audi RS3’s powerplant rather than a bored-out original 2.1 or 2.2-liter engine. Either way, a staggering performance transforms this retro classic into a true modern-day rocket.

Original Chassis, Carbon Body, Pure Adrenaline

Each ABT Quattro restomod starts life as a genuine Ur-Quattro donor car, retaining its original chassis for authenticity. But that’s where the old-school ends and the new-school begins. The bodywork is completely reimagined using Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber, and the design includes a dramatic wide-arch body kit directly inspired by the legendary Sport Quattro rally cars.

Additional cooling vents carved into the sculpted hood hint at the engine’s fiery performance, while a sizable rear wing keeps things planted at speed. ABT has also incorporated ABS braking technology and even fitted an invisible roll cage, maintaining safety without compromising interior aesthetics.

Speaking of interiors, each example gets a fully bespoke ABT Individual cabin, tailored to each buyer’s tastes. While details are still under wraps, expect premium materials, motorsport-inspired touches, and subtle nods to Audi’s rallying past.

The Ultimate Retro-Modern Audi?

In an era where restomods are reaching new heights, ABT’s reimagined Ur-Quattro might just be the ultimate blend of heritage and high performance. With only 30 examples in total, each delivering over 500 horsepower in a lightweight, all-wheel-drive platform, this car is more than just a nostalgic throwback—it’s a celebration of Audi’s rally-bred DNA.

Whether you're a die-hard Audi enthusiast or a collector looking for the next great retro-modern performance car, the ABT Ur-Quattro restomod is shaping up to be one of the most desirable limited-run builds of the decade.