Audi Sport GmbH celebrates its fortieth anniversary at the Nürburgring

2023-05-19 00:26:19

Almost 40 years ago, on October 10, 1983, quattro GmbH, today known as Audi Sport GmbH, was founded. The subsidiary of Audi it is responsible for shaping the sporty and exclusive image of the brand with the four rings, and the vehicles that display the red diamond are synonymous with high performance. The celebrations of this anniversary will begin next weekend (from May 18 to 21) in the framework of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

40 years of history, more than 250,000 vehicles produced in the last decade alone and more than 400 motorsport titles come together in the 20.832 kilometers with 73 curves and elevation changes of more than 300 meters of the Nürburgring circuit.

Here are some key figures that represent Audi Sport GmbH and the legendary Nordschleife, also known as the “Green Hell”, which is linked to the subsidiary responsible for Audi’s high-performance models like no other racing circuit.

The circuit in the Eifel region and the 100%-owned subsidiary of AUDI AG share a close relationship, both when it comes to motorsport and when it comes to the high-performance vehicles identified with the red diamond. Audi Sport has been an official sponsor of the Nürburgring 24 Hours since 2002 and provides the “official cars” to the race organizers. Since 2009, the Audi R8 LMS has been competing in the marathon in the Eifel, one of the annual highlights of the Audi Sport customer racing programme, Audi Sport’s customer racing department, which is part of the former quattro GmbH. since 2011.

With six overall wins and a further three in the GT3 class to date, Audi is the most successful manufacturer in the GT3 era of the ‘Green Hell’ endurance classic. It is therefore not surprising that Audi Sport GmbH launches its activities to commemorate its 40th Anniversary at the Nürburgring.

40th Anniversary of Audi Sport GmbH

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In this year’s edition of the 24-hour race, all four of the Audi Sport teams’ R8 LMSs will compete in retro designs that recall famous liveries from Audi’s racing history. In keeping with the spirit of the birthday, former DTM champions Mike Rockenfeller, Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk will take part in the event sharing the wheel of an Audi Sport Team Scherer PHX Audi R8 LMS, visually based on the Audi V8 quattro DTM from 1992 and with the number 40 as the number.

Due to the demanding characteristics of the circuit, the Nordschleife is not only a motoring challenge, but also the most demanding test that Audi Sport GmbH production vehicles can undergo. Each new R and RS model completes several thousand kilometers on the varied track during its development phase. “The Nürburgring is the toughest race track in the world, a magical place for us, making it the ideal setting to start celebrating. our 40th anniversary, coinciding with the 24-hour race”, says Rolf Michl, Director of Audi Sport GmbH and Head of Motorsport at Audi. “The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is considered a mecca for all motorsport fans. The 24-hour race is one of the best events to experience in motorsport today. But the Nürburgring is also essential for the development of our road cars. All of our models are tested under extreme conditions and fine-tuned there for production.”

constant evolution

When Audi Sport GmbH was founded as quattro GmbH in 1983 with just a few employees, hardly anyone expected that over the next four decades it would develop into a manufacturer of high-quality sports cars with a successful racing program. In the early days the company’s main concern was to ensure the protection of the “quattro” name and marketing rights; but since then, it has continued to develop and open new lines of business. In 1984, for example, it began to sell accessories. The items in the Audi collection have made fans’ hearts beat faster: whether it’s clothing, luggage or model cars, the lifestyle collection allows for a complete brand experience. Another important pillar was added eleven years later: since 1995, Audi Sport customers have also been able to personalize their vehicles. The extensive options and equipment programs offered by Audi exclusive have always been a guarantee of technical and visual enhancement. One of the most extraordinary vehicles was probably the Audi “Picasso” cabrio, with its leather upholstery designed by the renowned Spanish artist.

Just one year later, another milestone in the company’s history occurred: quattro GmbH became a vehicle manufacturer and presented the Audi S6 plus, its first own model, at the Geneva Motor Show. In 2007 the first supercar of the brand with the four rings debuted, the Audi R8, now in its second generation.

40th Anniversary of Audi Sport GmbH

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The GT3 version of the mid-engined sports car was also the basis for the customer racing programme, which has since been expanded with the RS 3 LMS, R8 LMS GT4 and R8 LMS GT2 models. To date, the vehicles built by the Audi Sport customer racing department have won more than 400 titles and countless victories in races around the world. In 2014, the R8 inaugurated a very special production line at the Böllinger Höfe facility, which is characterized by combining conventional manufacturing processes with the operation of a smart factory. In addition to the mid-engined sports car, the top electrified models, the e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT, are also currently built here on a shared production line that is unique across the Group. In 2016, quattro GmbH was renamed Audi Sport GmbH. The name Audi Sport builds on the long and successful tradition of the four rings in motorsport.

“Audi Sport GmbH can look back on 40 exciting and highly successful years. This has only been and is possible thanks to a strong team effort”, says Rolf Michl. “For us, one thing is certain: taking new and unusual paths and continuously developing further is what will continue to characterize Audi Sport GmbH.”