Audacious Automotive has revealed more of the engineering behind the IV, its reinterpretation of the short-wheelbase Audi quattro. The Edinburgh-built project combines Group B-inspired proportions with the mechanical architecture of a B7-generation Audi RS4, a six-speed manual gearbox and four proposed V8 engine programmes. Two of those programmes target an extraordinary 10,000rpm limit.
The RS4 connection goes far beyond using its engine. Audacious retains the platform's lower structure, suspension geometry, steering, braking, electronic systems and Torsen-based all-wheel drive, then develops a new body around that integrated package. Founder Mac Zaglewski told Autocar he wanted a car with genuine analogue engagement and everyday usability. Choosing the 2006-2008 RS4 also allows the company to preserve a traditional manual transmission, even though the original quattro's identity was closely tied to its five-cylinder engine.
Four approaches to one V8
Every IV uses the RS4-derived 4.2-litre V8 architecture. A supercharged Stage One version is rated at a claimed 600bhp. Stage Two raises that to 750bhp through changes to the engine internals, cooling, fuelling and drivetrain. Audacious is separately developing naturally aspirated and supercharged 10,000rpm versions. It has not yet announced their output figures, so neither of the published power ratings should be assigned to the high-revving options.
The company has also discussed a potential top speed of about 200mph. This is a development claim, not a verified speed-record run.
Customers can commission either a metal-bodied car retaining the upper structure, roof and glazing of an original Ur-quattro, or a new carbon-fibre body with its own glazing that needs no classic quattro donor. Autocar reports that Audacious expects the carbon option to make up around 80% of production.
Target masses are 1400-1450kg for cars incorporating an original shell and approximately 1200kg for the carbon-bodied alternative. Both are projected engineering figures rather than certified kerb weights. The rally-inspired styling is deliberately familiar, but the vehicles wear Audacious's own badging.
Individually specified, limited to fifty
The programme is capped at 50 commissions, with customers able to tailor the suspension, engine configuration, cabin materials and exterior details. The Zermatt Silver example shown is described as a road-focused 750bhp car.
According to Autocar, pricing starts at £350,000 before VAT, donor-vehicle expenses, transport, registration and options. The first customer delivery is planned for late 2027. Audacious stresses that it is an independent manufacturer, unaffiliated with Audi AG, even as it brings together two very different chapters of Audi's performance-car history.