The ELegend EL1: A Modern Tribute to the Iconic Audi Sport Quattro

The Audi Quattro coupe, launched in 1980, revolutionized the automotive world by proving that all-wheel drive wasn’t just for off-road vehicles. With its all-road, all-weather traction, the Quattro dominated the World Rally Championship in the Group B era, showcasing that driving all four wheels could enhance the performance of high-speed road cars.

Today, many high-performance vehicles, from the Toyota GR Corolla to the Porsche 911 Turbo S, rely on all-wheel drive to deliver exceptional acceleration, cornering, and braking.

The Birth of the ELegend EL1

Enter the ELegend EL1, a 21st-century electric homage to the 1984 short-wheelbase Audi Sport Quattro coupe. Unlike its predecessor, the EL1 features an asymmetrical all-wheel-drive system: a 603 horsepower electric motor powers the rear wheels, while a 201 hp e-motor drives the front. This setup allows even novice drivers to drift the EL1 with ease.

Marcus Holzinger, a former VW exterior designer, founded ELegend in 2021 and is the mastermind behind the EL1. The car’s connection to the original Audi Quattro is deepened by Holzinger’s father, Wolfgang, who was a modeler at Audi and instrumental in developing the original Quattro’s design.

Design: A Blend of Heritage and Modernity

The EL1 is a masterclass in post-modern automotive design. Its sleek form, detailed surfacing, and aggressive stance are unmistakably 21st century. However, it pays homage to the Sport Quattro with design cues like the vented hood, bulging fender flares, and the black line under the C-pillar, reminiscent of the original car’s venting.

The proportions of the EL1 are notably different from its predecessor. With a 96.3-inch wheelbase, it is 8.7 inches longer than the original Sport Quattro, yet nearly half an inch shorter overall, resulting in shorter overhangs. The bodywork is more refined, spreading over a 4.2-inch wider track and a roofline that sits 2.9 inches lower.

A Futuristic Interior

Inside, the EL1 embodies 21st-century design with striking forms and details. The race-style bucket seats provide hip-hugging support, and the digital instrument panel houses minor controls within easy reach of the three-spoke steering wheel.

The infotainment system boasts Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and multimedia capabilities. Standard features include air conditioning, a rear-view camera, parking sensors, and power windows.

The production version of the EL1, according to Holzinger, will closely resemble the show car, including the NACA duct-shaped glass panel in the roof. Significant effort is being put into ensuring that the EL1 performs as well as it looks. “

The biggest challenge in recent months has been the design-technology convergence,” Holzinger says, “developing a rolling chassis that does not dilute our design idea of a modern Group B vehicle, yet offers performance that is second to none, compact dimensions, good ergonomics, and sufficient space.”

Advanced Engineering

The EL1’s lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque chassis is being developed by Munich-based Roding Mobility. Aluminum subframes front and rear support the e-motors, powertrain hardware, and multi-link suspension components, designed to facilitate future ELegend derivatives on the same platform.

The EL1’s two e-motors produce a combined 804 hp. The front motor delivers a peak torque of 369 lb-ft, while the rear motor offers 811 lb-ft. Despite its relatively light curb weight of 3,946 pounds, the EL1 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 2.6 seconds and reach 124 mph in 7.5 seconds. The car’s top speed is an impressive 186 mph.

Drivers can switch between Standard and Sport modes for powertrain delivery and choose from three different suspension settings. The EL1’s staggered wheel setup, with 19-inch rims and 285/30 tires at the front and 20-inch rims and 305/30 tires at the rear, helps manage its power and torque distribution. The car’s weight distribution, with 47 percent on the front axle and 53 percent on the rear, contributes to its balanced handling.

Battery and Performance

The EL1 features a relatively small 80-kWh, T-shaped battery pack positioned in the central tunnel and across the car behind the seats, lowering the center of gravity. ELegend estimates the car’s energy consumption at about 2.96 mi/kWh, giving it a target range of approximately 240 miles based on the European WLTP cycle. The battery cooling system ensures the EL1 can complete two full-power laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife without performance loss.

Exclusive and Expensive

Only 30 EL1s will be hand-built, with production starting next year. The car will be available to U.S. customers, but it comes with a hefty price tag: starting at around $950,000, plus shipping and taxes.

The ELegend EL1 is not just a tribute to the past; it’s a bold step into the future of high-performance electric vehicles, combining cutting-edge technology with a deep respect for automotive heritage.