What you are looking at is the Elegend EL-1. It’s not a concept car conceived by design students at Audi, but rather an homage to the original Audi Sport Quattro that will be built by a new German small-scale automaker called Elegend. Just 30 units will be produced in 2023/4. EL1 is the first of the company’s rally inspired creations, rumour is that the second model will mimic the Lancia Delta Integrale.

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Old look, modern tech

Restomods and continuation cars gain popularity with each passing month. Advances in composites as well as in EV tech have meant that many older models can be reimagined for the enthusiasts of today.

Check out our current list of favourite restomods by clicking here.

The Elegend EL1 takes many cues from the famous rally Audi from the Group B era. From squared-off front end with black grille and domed bonnet with three vents, to the boxy wheel arches and rear spoiler, they are all a nod to the Audi Sport Quattro. The EL1 features a carbon-fibre monocoque that is clothed in composite lightweight body panels. Using these materials helps keep the mass down to, a relatively light, 1 680 kg.

Take a look at another reimagined, modern-day rally car at this link.

EV power

Fans of the Four Rings may be disappointed to learn that there isn’t a turbocharged five-pot motor under the bonnet. Instead, the Elegend EL1 is powered by three electric motors; one on the front axle and two at the rear. This configuration makes the EL1 all-wheel-drive. Peak power is rated as 600 kW. 

The EL1 is powered by a 90 kWh battery pack that has fast-charging capabiliy. Elegend says its creation can cover the benchmark 0-100 km/h sprint in 2,8 sec and that it takes less than 10 to reach 200 km/h. It has a top speed of around 255 km/h and a range of 400 km. The company’s press material says that EL1 can complete two laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife at full pace before the battery capacity is depleted.