Time to consider another Audi icon – the Coupe Quattro. Of course, it was quite hard to follow the original act, but in Europe alongside the RR Quattro 20V was the all-new B3 generation S2. Performance was about par between them, but they had intensely different characters. The new car was safer, quieter, more round, and a lot more practical – while the original Quattro had always looked like it had a hatchback, it was the successor that actually had one.
Of course, in the U.S. we didn’t receive the S2. The Coupe Quattro made due with a thoroughly upgraded 2.3 liter DOHC 20V motor – the 7A. Deep in the middle of the recession and not fully recovered from Audi’s 60 Minutes debacle, the very expensive Coupe Quattro sold slowly. A total of approximately 1,700 of them were imported at over $30,000 each. Considering the cost, the performance was rather soft; the heavy Coupe sported only 164 horsepower. Though smooth and reasonably quick on the highway, off-the-line performance was lackluster. Still, though the internet fora would have you believe otherwise, the performance between the U.S.-spec Coupe and original Quattro was pretty similar.
Options on the Coupe were limited to the Cold Weather package, 8-way power seats, and Pearlescent White Metallic paint – two of which are seen here on this Pearl ’90. 1991s also had the upgraded glass moonroof rather than the early steel panel, though they lost the infamous “Bag of Snakes” tubular header early models carried. 91s gained rear sway bars and are also the rarest of the bunch, with only 364 sold in the model year and 58 traded as leftovers. However, it’s this ’90 we’re talking about, and this one not only looks great – it’s supposedly still with its original owner:
From the seller:
1990 Audi Coupe Quattro 20v. My husband purchased this car brand new in Santa Cruz in 1990 and he loved it.
One Owner Vehicle.
Original condition with the following upgrades: – 2Bennett Audimotive S2 5×112 Wheel Hubs & Wheel Bearings Replacement – 2Bennett Audimotive Stage 2 FRONT & REAR Brake System – 2Bennett Audimotive Wheel Spacers Studs & Nuts – 2Bennett Audimotive Rear Sway Bar Upgrade – 2Bennett Audimotive S2 Suspension & Drive Train Bushings Replacement – 2Bennett Coil Program Suspension System, Shortened Shifter – 2Bennett Audimotive BBS RX II Wheel Replacement – 2 Part 17″ Wheels
Other: – 125k Miles (tmu) – 2.3-Liter, 20 valve, Fuel Injection, Inline-Five – Five-Speed Manual Trans – Full Time Quattro All-Wheel Drive – Locking Rear Differential – Original Pearlescent White Metallic Paint – Graphite Leather Upholstery – Sunroof (Power Tilt and Slide) – 8 Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver Memory – Automatic Climate Control – Cruise Control – Bluetooth Stereo Installed – Original Factory Cassette Stereo Included – Manufacturer’s Literature – Owners Lifetime Records – Original Window Sticker – No Smoking cigarettes etc. in car, ever. – 2014 Award First In Class, Audi Club North America – Smog Certificate 4/2024
More pictures posted here:
I am happy to take any more pictures you request. Wire transfer and you will receive a clear California title. I will assist if you want the car shipped but that is up to you and after your funds have cleared.
Outside, the BBSs look great and the five-lug swap definitely opens up some options for other wheels should you not like them. It makes the Coupe look more grown up for sure. Otherwise condition appears to be very good. Inside the owner swapped in a strange choice – a late-model base B4 steering wheel, from what I can tell. Not the choice I’d have made, but again an easy change.
It’s pretty rare to see these cars at all, nevermind a documented one. Is it worth a 2x premium? That’s hard to say, though these now “classic” Audis have gained a lot of value over recent years.
One thing is for sure – you won’t see many like this kicking around.
