This is the brand-new HSR Manufaktur Type 859, created as a tribute to the legendary Group B rally monster, the Audi Sport Quattro SWB (Short Wheelbase), a motorsport icon so legendary that anyone unfamiliar with it would need to revisit automotive history books.
The classic 1984 rally car, a fierce all-wheel-drive (AWD) champion that dominated the world rally scene, inspired Ivan Garcia, the head of HSR and a devoted four-wheel-drive enthusiast, to revive and reinterpret this ferocious lineage in a modern form.
Rally fans, especially those loyal to Audi Sport, revere the power of these cars from front to rear. Following the blueprint for reviving legendary vehicles, Garcia's team at HSR Manufaktur began with the Audi Coupe B2 chassis—a handsome model to start with—then shortened the wheelbase (SWB style) before installing a new heart: the 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder Audi engine, the same block that won six consecutive Engine of the Year awards, proving its enduring excellence with countless victories on dirt tracks over more than 40 years.
Before mounting the 5-cylinder 20-valve engine onto the B2 chassis, the odd-numbered cylinder engine was completely disassembled and rebuilt with all-forged internal components for durability. The turbo system was reorganized, complemented by a new intake manifold. The engine was then installed longitudinally into the chassis and tuned to deliver between 500 and 600 horsepower, with selectable throttle response modes for different driving styles.
The natural sound of the 5-cylinder with 20 valves produces a raw symphony, amplified through an active exhaust system with variable valves. Around 600 wild horses are sent directly to all four wheels via permanent AWD—not an attention-seeking system that waits for wheel slip. The famous Quattro drivetrain is powered through a 6-speed manual transmission from the Audi S4, heavily overhauled for strength, paired with a Torsen center differential and a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) at the rear axle, allowing aggressive acceleration through corners without restraint.
To handle the destructive power of 600 horsepower in a race-style car, the chassis is reinforced with a full hidden roll cage. The car incorporates completely new front and rear subframes, along with both passive and active aerodynamic elements. The exterior body is crafted entirely from carbon fiber, presenting a compact, muscular, and angular design inspired by 1980s to 1990s racing cars, featuring numerous air vents, spoilers, air intakes, and a front splitter typical of full-fledged rally cars.
Additional top-tier features include carbon-ceramic brakes, specially hardened suspension bushings, multi-valve adjustable coilover struts, and an impressively light weight of under 1,200 kilograms. With 600 horsepower and less than 1.2 tons, this car is exceptionally fierce. It also includes launch control and automatic rev-matching for smooth gear changes.
The interior is a bespoke custom job blending luxury with functionality, featuring air conditioning, genuine leather, carbon fiber, high-grade aluminum, and a classic analog speedometer cluster that offers a more authentic feel than modern LCD displays.
HSR plans to produce only 84 units of the Type 859 worldwide to celebrate the golden year when the original Sport Quattro won the World Rally Championship in 1984. The starting price is 500,000 euros, excluding import taxes, which translates to nearly 20 million baht before taxes in Thailand. Although current images are computer renderings, wealthy investors worldwide have shown overwhelming interest, suggesting the limited production run will sell out quickly.
Letters of Intent and official purchase contracts have already been signed by collectors in several countries. HSR is confident that the greatest demand will come from the United States, Germany, and Switzerland, while production quotas for other regions are being strictly allocated.
Therefore, the HSR Manufaktur Type 859 is not yet a fully realized production car, as engineers are currently focused on building the prototype. Once the 5-cylinder engine roars on the track, the legendary Quattro beast will make its triumphant return.