A new carbon fiber tribute to the Audi Sport Quattro, known as the HSR Type 859, is available for $570,000 [1, 2].

The vehicle represents a high-end intersection of classic rally aesthetics and modern performance engineering. While it mimics the silhouette of one of the most iconic rally cars in history, it is a ground-up replica rather than a restoration of an original chassis.

CarScoops said this $570,000 Audi Sport Quattro tribute isn’t built from a real Quattro [1]. Instead, the builders utilized carbon fiber to recreate the exterior, providing a lightweight shell that maintains the aggressive proportions of the original sport model.

The performance of the HSR Type 859 is driven by contemporary technology. The engine under this carbon Sport Quattro tribute is the same turbocharged five-cylinder found in a current Audi RS3 [2]. This powertrain choice allows the replica to offer reliability and power outputs that far exceed the capabilities of the original 1980s machinery.

By integrating the RS3 engine [1, 2], the tribute car bridges the gap between a museum piece and a drivable performance vehicle. The use of carbon fiber ensures the car remains rigid and light, mirroring the spirit of the original Group B rally era while utilizing materials that were not available during the Sport Quattro's initial production run.

Collectors and enthusiasts often face a choice between the authenticity of a vintage vehicle and the usability of a modern one. The HSR Type 859 targets a niche market willing to pay a premium for the visual identity of a legend paired with the mechanical certainty of a modern Audi powerplant.

“This $570,000 Audi Sport Quattro tribute isn’t built from a real Quattro”

The emergence of the HSR Type 859 highlights a growing trend in the automotive world known as 'restomodding' or high-fidelity replication. By combining a carbon-fiber replica body with a modern RS3 engine, the creators have removed the fragility associated with owning a genuine vintage rally car. This allows wealthy collectors to possess the prestige of the Sport Quattro's design without the maintenance burdens of 40-year-old technology.