The Audacious Automotive IV is an extraordinary modern tribute to the legendary Audi Quattro, combining classic Group B rally-inspired styling with the mechanical foundations of the B7-generation RS4. Featuring up to 750bhp, an optional naturally aspirated 10,000rpm V8 and a six-speed manual gearbox, this exclusive restomod aims to deliver a top speed of 200mph.
The legendary Audi Quattro remains one of the most recognisable performance cars ever produced, thanks largely to its dominant presence in the Group B rally era. Now, British specialist Audacious Automotive is bringing its own interpretation of the iconic machine to life with the IV, an ambitious restomod that combines the unmistakable proportions of the original short-wheelbase Quattro with modern engineering and serious performance.
Rather than simply restoring an old rally legend, Audacious has taken a more unconventional approach. The IV uses the mechanical underpinnings of the B7-generation Audi RS4, produced between 2006 and 2008, creating a combination of classic styling, analogue driving characteristics and contemporary performance.
Founded by Mac Zaglewski, Audacious intends to give older vehicles a new lease of life rather than sacrifice perfectly preserved examples. Customers can commission the IV using an original Audi Quattro body shell, although the company expects approximately 80 percent of production to feature entirely new carbon-fibre bodywork that does not require a donor vehicle.
Audi RS4 V8 Power Meets Classic Quattro Character
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Audacious IV is its engine. While the original Audi Quattro established its reputation with a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, the new restomod takes a different direction by adopting the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 from the B7 Audi RS4.
According to Zaglewski, the decision was driven by the desire to create a car that is genuinely enjoyable to drive, combining modern refinement with an unmistakably analogue experience.
The company considered the five-cylinder engine from the contemporary Audi RS3 but ultimately rejected it. One important reason was the requirement for a manual transmission. The B7 RS4 also offers a stiffer platform and a more sophisticated suspension arrangement, making it a more suitable foundation for the project.
Its Torsen-based all-wheel-drive system was another decisive advantage. Unlike the front-biased Haldex arrangement used in the RS3, the RS4’s Torsen system delivers a rear-biased driving character, better suited to the experience Audacious wants to create.
The original RS4 six-speed manual gearbox is retained, ensuring that the IV remains focused on driver involvement rather than relying on increasingly sophisticated electronic systems.
Four V8 Engine Configurations, Up to 10,000rpm
Audacious Automotive has confirmed four engine specifications for the IV, giving customers considerable freedom when configuring their cars.
The entry-level version receives a supercharger added to the original 4.2-litre V8, increasing output to an impressive 600bhp. Buyers looking for even greater performance can choose the Stage Two package, which introduces strengthened internal engine components alongside upgraded cooling and fuel-delivery systems to produce 750bhp.
However, the most ambitious specification is arguably the most exciting. Audacious is developing a high-revving version of the V8 capable of reaching an extraordinary 10,000rpm. Customers will also have the option of removing the supercharger entirely, depending on their preferred engine configuration.
Regardless of the chosen specification, power is delivered through the RS4’s original six-speed manual transmission.
The combination of a high-revving V8, manual gearbox and rear-biased all-wheel drive promises a driving experience that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern performance-car world.
With a targeted top speed of 200mph, the IV is intended to be much more than a nostalgic styling exercise.
Group B Rally Inspiration Meets Carbon-Fibre Construction
Visually, the Audacious IV draws heavily on the short-wheelbase Audi Quattro, with its bodywork inspired by the legendary Group B rally machines.
However, the design also incorporates subtle references to the IMSA GTO racing version of the Audi 90, the competition car that followed the Quattro’s original rally success.
The result is a more aggressive interpretation of the original silhouette, blending rally heritage with motorsport-inspired details. Interestingly, the car does not carry traditional Audi badges. Instead, it features specially designed Audacious branding, establishing its identity as an independent creation rather than an official Audi product.
Weight reduction has also played an important role in the development process.
Cars built using original Quattro body shells are expected to weigh between 1,400kg and 1,450kg, while carbon-fibre versions are targeting a considerably lower figure of approximately 1,200kg.
That difference could have a significant impact on acceleration, handling and overall driving dynamics, particularly in the more powerful 750bhp configuration.
Completely Redesigned Interior With Classic Audi Influences
The interior receives an equally comprehensive transformation. Audacious has abandoned much of the B7 RS4’s original digital equipment in favour of a completely redesigned cabin that reflects the brutalist character of the original Quattro.
The dashboard, instrument cluster and switchgear are all new, creating a more purposeful environment that prioritises mechanical interaction and driving engagement.
One notable element carried over from the donor vehicle is the RS4’s distinctive wingback seats. These retain their electronic adjustment functions, providing a combination of modern convenience and classic motorsport-inspired design.
The extensive personalisation programme will allow customers to specify virtually every aspect of the cabin, including upholstery materials, colours and individual trim details.
Every Audacious IV Will Be Individually Configured
Personalisation is expected to be one of the defining characteristics of the project. Audacious intends to ensure that no two examples of the IV are identical, offering customers extensive control over both appearance and mechanical specification.
Beyond exterior paint finishes and interior materials, buyers will be able to tailor the suspension and mechanical configuration according to how they intend to use the car.
This means an owner looking for a comfortable road-focused grand tourer can specify a different setup from someone who wants a more aggressive machine for track driving.
The example presented by Audacious features the 750bhp Stage Two engine configuration and a road-focused suspension setup. Finished in Zermatt Silver, it demonstrates the company’s approach to combining understated aesthetics with extreme performance.
Only 50 Examples, With Prices Starting at £350,000
Production of the Audacious Automotive IV will be strictly limited to just 50 examples, all assembled at the company’s base in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The first customer deliveries are scheduled for late 2027, while the complete commissioning and construction process is expected to take approximately three years from the initial order to the finished vehicle reaching the road.
Prices start at £350,000, excluding VAT, donor vehicle acquisition, transportation, registration and additional specification costs. Consequently, the final price could increase considerably depending on the customer’s chosen configuration.
With its combination of classic Audi Quattro proportions, B7 RS4 mechanical foundations, up to 750bhp and a potentially 10,000rpm V8 engine, the Audacious IV represents a particularly ambitious interpretation of the restomod philosophy.
It may not follow the traditional recipe for recreating the original five-cylinder Quattro, but that is precisely what makes it interesting. Rather than attempting to reproduce the past, Audacious is creating a modern performance machine that celebrates one of rallying’s greatest icons while embracing a very different engineering philosophy.
If the company delivers on its ambitious performance targets, the IV could become one of the most distinctive and desirable Audi Quattro-inspired restomods on the market.
Source: Audacious Automotive