SpeedSUVs.com — The legendary Audi Sport Quattro is making a dramatic return, albeit in a highly re-engineered and modern form. Homologation Specials Reimagined, commonly known as HSR, has officially unveiled the Type 859. This vehicle is a 500-plus horsepower, carbon-fiber clad restomod designed to pay homage to Audi’s iconic 1984 rally fighter. By combining a classic silhouette with modern engineering, HSR aims to capture the raw excitement of the golden era of rallying while fixing some of the inherent flaws of the original design.
Chassis Re-engineering and Structural Changes
To bring the HSR Manufaktur Type 859 to life, the builders do not start from scratch or scan an original Sport Quattro. Instead, HSR begins the build process with a period-correct donor chassis sourced from an Audi Coupe B2. This chassis undergoes massive structural modifications. First, HSR shortens the body by 12.6 inches from nose to tail, mimicking the stubby proportions of the original Sport Quattro. However, they did not stop at simply cutting the chassis.
To address the high-speed instability that famously plagued the original short-wheelbase rally cars, HSR decided to stretch the wheelbase slightly. They accomplished this by shifting the front axle forward by 0.4 inches and moving the rear axle backward by the same distance. This subtle adjustment significantly improves high-speed handling and stability. For added safety and structural rigidity, a custom-integrated roll cage is welded directly into the chassis structure, providing a modern safety cell for the occupants.
Lightweight Carbon Fiber Construction
Once the underlying B2 steel chassis is reinforced and modified, HSR wraps the entire vehicle in lightweight carbon fiber panels. This extensive use of advanced materials helps keep the curb weight down to an impressive target of approximately 2,645 pounds. By keeping the weight low, HSR ensures that the vehicle maintains an incredibly high power-to-weight ratio, ensuring modern supercar performance levels while preserving the agile, lightweight feel of a classic 1980s rally machine.
A Modern Five-Cylinder Powerplant
Under the hood, HSR chose to honor Audi’s rich five-cylinder heritage by installing a modern 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Known as the DAZA engine, this powerplant is famous for its use in the previous-generation Audi RS3. However, HSR felt the stock output was not enough for a vehicle of this caliber. They completely rebuilt the engine block using heavy-duty forged internals and added a motorsport-grade dry-sump oiling system to handle high-G cornering.
The result of these extensive engine modifications is a highly tunable powerplant. Drivers can select from multiple performance maps, with output ranging from a potent 500 horsepower up to a ferocious 600 horsepower. Unlike modern transverse-engine Audis, HSR has mounted this engine longitudinally in the engine bay, staying true to the mechanical layout of the classic rally cars.
Drivetrain and Transmission
To handle the massive power output, the five-cylinder engine is mated to a heavily reinforced version of Audi’s older OB4 six-speed manual gearbox, a transmission originally found in the S4 sedan. This manual gearbox puts the driver in total control of the driving experience, offering a tactile connection that is rare in modern performance cars.
Power is distributed to all four wheels through a permanent all-wheel-drive system utilizing a Torsen center differential. The system is set up with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split. This rear-biased configuration allows for more dynamic handling characteristics, giving drivers the ability to rotate the car more easily while still retaining the legendary grip of Audi’s Quattro system.
The Exhaust and Render Discrepancy
While the mechanical specifications are highly impressive, there is one curious detail regarding the exhaust system. HSR’s official website claims that the Type 859 routes its exhaust gases through an active system that exits on either side of the car, rather than out the back. However, the promotional images currently available on the site—which appear to be AI-generated renders—clearly show a traditional rear-exit exhaust setup. This discrepancy suggests that final production models may feature some visual and mechanical differences compared to the early digital concepts.
Exclusivity and Pricing
Owning an HSR Manufaktur Type 859 will be an incredibly exclusive privilege. HSR plans to build only 84 examples of this restomod. This limited production run is a deliberate nod to 1984, the historic year when Audi won the World Rally Championship with the legendary Quattro A2. Prospective buyers cannot simply walk in and purchase one; they must go through an application process to earn a build allocation from the manufacturer. Pricing for the Type 859 starts at a staggering $570,822 at current exchange rates, with the price increasing as buyers add custom options.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Incredible Performance: Driver-selectable output between 500 and 600 horsepower from a rebuilt 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine.
- Corrected Dynamics: Stretched wheelbase and adjusted axle positions help eliminate the high-speed instability of the original car.
- Lightweight Materials: Extensive use of carbon fiber panels keeps the vehicle’s total weight around an agile 2,645 pounds.
- Analog Driving Experience: Features a reinforced six-speed manual transmission and a Torsen AWD system.
Cons
- Extremely Expensive: Starting price of $570,822 puts it out of reach for all but the wealthiest collectors.
- Very Limited Production: Only 84 units will be produced globally, requiring a strict application process.
- Visual Uncertainty: Reliance on AI-generated renders creates some ambiguity regarding the final design and exhaust layout.
Conclusion
The HSR Manufaktur Type 859 is an absolute dream for wealthy collectors who want the iconic look of the 1984 Audi Sport Quattro but desire modern performance, safety, and reliability. By fixing the original car’s handling quirks and adding a 600-horsepower modern five-cylinder engine, HSR has created a compelling package. If you have the financial means and can secure one of the 84 highly coveted build slots, the Type 859 promises to deliver one of the most thrilling and exclusive driving experiences on the market today.
