This is a diecast car model/toy of Walter Röhrl’s 1987 Pikes Peak winning Audi Quattro S1 E2 made by Autoart. It’s made of composite and features detailed interior (including roll cage), exterior, engine bay and steerable wheels with rubber tires. Doors, trunk and hood can be opened. This Audi Quattro S1 is of 1:18 scale and measures approximately 9.25 inches long by 4.25 inches wide by 3 inches high.
History of Walter Röhrl, Audi Quattro and Group B
Walter Röhrl (also known as Walter Roehrl) is one of the most famous racing drivers in the history. He is mostly known for winning 1982 championship of famous Group B rally which was discontinued in 1986 for being too dangerous (he also won 1980 championship driving Group 4 Fiat 131 Abarth).
Group B is one of the most (perhaps the most) legendary racing series that has ever existed. The cars that participated were so fast and dangerous they created an unseen and indescribable spectable and the arguably the most famous of them is Audi Quattro S1 E2.
The story of Audi Quattro S1 E2 begins in 1980 when Audi introduced Audi Quattro rally car that developed ~304 metric horsepower.
After Group B was introduced in 1982 Audi started developing Audi Quattro A1 and Audi Quattro A2 variants which produced 355 metric horsepower.
They were eventually replaced by Audi Sport Quattro S1 which had shorter wheel base and 450 metric horsepower.
At the end of 1985 season Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 was introduced and it was a real monster producing 500+ metric horsepower. The later variants of this car produced around 600 horsepower.
Story of Walter Röhrl’s 1987 Pikes Peak Audi Quattro S1 E2
After Group B was disbanded there was only 1 place where Group B cars could compete to their full potential – Pikes Peak.
And that’s what happened in 1987 where fastest Group B cars, Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 and Peugeot 205 T16, met in their final and superior Pikes Peak versions to fight for the title of most legendary race car ever.
1987 Pikes Peak Audi Quattro S1 E2 was a special car. Although Audi claimed it developed 600 horsepower in reality it produced around astonishing 750 horsepower according to Walter Röhrl.
Peugeot 205 T16 Pikes Peak was no slouch either. Even though it was less powerful than Audi, it was lighter. Now it was up to the drivers to prove which car is the best.
At the end of the day Walter Röhrl came victorious setting a new record of 10:47.850 with Audi Quattro S1 E2 Pikes Peak. In this battle ground Peugeot’s lost but not by a huge margin. Ari Vatanen came second driving Peugeot 205 T16 Pikes Peak with a time of 10:54.380 and Andrea Zanussi came third, also driving the Peugeot, with a time of 10:56.050.