After the ban of group B cars at the end of 1986 only group A and group N cars were permitted from 1987 in the World Rally Championship. Prerequisite for homologation in both groups was the completion of 5,000 identical street cars. Under these circumstances Audi had in his portfolio only the Audi Coupé and the Audi 200.
This car is the 2nd of two group A vehicles built for Audi Sport UK by David Sutton Motorsport and is conforming to homologation nr A 5284. After the 1st car was used almost for the whole 1987 season in the European and British championship, this car was especially built for the last heat of the WRC, the Lombard RAC Rally from November 22nd to November 25th, 1987 and home event of Audi UK. Main sponsor was Shell Gemini.
It was registered on November 10th, 1987 with VIN DSM87A002 and registration MAN 44A on the Isle of Man, because there was no type approval for a left-hand drive Audi Coupé in England.
In the RAC Rally the works drivers David Llewellin / Phil Short achieved 6th place overall despite significantly less power than the turbocharged Lancia Delta and Ford Sierra Cosworth.
1988 until 1990 the vehicle was rented by David Sutton Motorsport to the privateer driver Robert Locke and to Henderson Cars for driver Glyn Jones, both drove some smaller events in UK. On June 1st, 1991 Pete Slights in York bought the car.
In December 1999 the car was bought by David Preece who restored it completely. He drove it only for some demonstration events as Rally Catalunya, Eifel Rallye and Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The current owner bought the vehicle in February 2019. After thorough restoration until July 2019 it is now fully operational and is presented occasionally in European rallyes.
Technical specifications:
Engine: 5-cylinder in-line with 10 valves
Capacity: 2,226 cc
Power output: 197 BHP (145 kW) at 6,500 rpm
Bore / stroke: 81.5 x 86.4 mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Torque: 220 Nm at 5,500 rpm
Fuel system: Bosch K-Jetronic
Drive train: Permanent four-wheel-drive
Lubrication: Wet sump
Clutch: Dual-plate dry clutch with Saxomat
Gearbox: All-synchromesh 5-speed manual gearbox from Audi A2
Front differential: Limited slip viscous coupling
Rear differential: Limited slip friction plate differential
Chassis: Matter
Suspension: Aluminium Mc Pherson from Audi A2
Brakes: Ventilated discs front and rear 280 x 25.4 mm
Tires: Michelin 16/62 x 15 gravel, 21 x 59 x 15 asphalt
Rims: 6-7J x 15 Fuchs magnesium or OZ aluminium
Kerb weight: 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) empty
Dimensions: Length 4,421 mm, width 1,682 mm, height 1,350 mm
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