Classified ad of the week: Audi Quattro

At the risk of being lynched by the Guardians of the Internet, let's get this straight: this isn't an original, bone-stock, as-it-was-made-in-the-factory Audi Quattro rally car. It's a 1983 Audi Quattro Coupe, modified to within an inch of its life.

Why? Because Quattro, that's why. Earlier this week, Audi revealed the Sport Quattro Concept; a 700bhp show car built in homage to the original 1983 Audi Quattro - the short wheelbase one - held in such high regard amongst forum circles.

Because it's a show car, you can't actually buy it (unless you're the type of person who sweats diamonds and has a fleet of armoured S-Class'). So here is something that's a little rawer, a little more old school, and quite possibly a heck of a lot quicker.

Where the Frankfurt concept uses the engine from the new RS6 - a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with 552bhp - this modified version uses the engine from the old Audi RS4. So the 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 finds a new home, here producing more than the 375bhp-odd factory spec to something closer to 650bhp, mapped by QST and, we're told, a claimed top speed of 198mph. Not too shabby.

Then we come to the actual car itself. And it's a deep breath moment, because it's got... a full bolt in rollcage, Proflex hydraulic adjustable front and rear suspension, adjustable front tie bar, strengthened jacking points, Movit front and rear calipers, ‘works' type wishbones, 3in bespoke titanium Miltek exhaust system (itself costing some £6k), four Hella driving lamps and two Hella spotlights, the full LWB Sport Quattro bodykit, bespoke alloy fuel tank, rally seats, harnesses, a fire extinguisher, hydraulic handbrake, a competition clutch, a stack dash with digital boost, lap timer and other info, and even an intercom.

It's been run as the OO pace car in the 2011/2012 Circuit of Ireland rally, has been MSA log-booked and we're told is "extremely fast". The build, completed several years ago by a previous owner, racked up to an incredible £70k.

Thankfully, you don't have to pay £70k, as it's being offered for £44,995. That's £15k less than a brand new Audi RS5 Coupe. Now, which one would you rather have?

Click here to see the listing