Audi quattro Concept Lines Up for the Villa d'Este

In Paris last year, German automaker Audi took the quattro name to a whole new level. As the all-wheel drive system was turning 30 years back then, Audi decided to celebrate the moment by presenting a one-off model, built with all the high-performance parts and using all the expertise gathered in all those years.

Simply called quattro concept, the car was, until now, just a show model. Wanting to put some facts behind all the great words that accompanied the car's presentation in Paris, Audi announced this week that it has entered the model in the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which kicks off this weekend at Lake Como. The model will have the chance of proving its worth in the Concept Cars and Prototypes category.

“The Audi quattro concept reinterprets the sports car in which Audi introduced all-wheel drive more than 30 years ago. It combines an homage to our history with groundbreaking design, making the quattro concept the perfect car for the Concorso d’Eleganza. For more than 80 years, this competition has celebrated not just the history of the automobile, but also its future,” said Wolfgang Egger, the man behind the quattro concept.

So, should you be at Lake Como this weekend, you'll get the chance to see first hand how a souped-up RS 5 platform and body cope with the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine ripped off a TT. Chances are you'll also be able to feel the entire 408 horsepower troop right in your gut, as the car passes by.