Audi 4000CS Quattro
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The Audi 4000CS Quattro was a special line of passenger cars manufactured by Audi — one of the premier European automobile manufacturers — for the 1985, 1986, and 1987 model years. Other models manufactured during the three stated model years included the Coupe GT, the 4000S, and the 5000 series.
The 4000 line included the Coupe GT (Coupe -- Grand Touring), the 4000S (4000 -- Sedan), and 4000CS (4000 -- Commemorative Sedan). The Commemorative model (4000CS) was only manufactured from 1985 thru 1987, although the 4000 line extended back earlier in time to 1980.
The 4000CS was only manufactured as a Quattro model. "Quattro" is Audi's term for all-wheel drive. The "S" model (4000S) was made both with and without the Quattro option.
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[edit] Engine and transmission
The 4000CS Quattro (hereafter referred to simply as "4000CS") had a 2.2L I5 (2.2-liter, inline 5-cylinder) gasoline engine. What this means is that the five cylinders displaced a cumulative 2.2 liters of space, and that they were in a straight line. Conversely, "V" engines (V6, V8, etc.) have half their cylinders on one side of the V-shaped block, and the other half on the opposite side of the block. Inline engines, if designed properly, can have more power than a larger engine of the "V" persuation (i.e. the 4000CS's 2.2L I5 engine has more power than many 3.0L V6 engines--126 ft. lbs. of torque @ only 3000 RPM).
The only transmission offered on the 4000CS was a 5-speed manual ("standard"/"stick-shift"). Automatic transmission was not offered as an option (although it was on the "S" model).
The 4000CS was a car with "multiple personalities". It was a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury European sedan, although it had the spirit of a sports car (in the engine, transmission, and handling). In addition, it had lockable front and rear differentials--effectively rendering it with four-wheel drive.
[edit] Quattro drivetrain
It has been argued whether the 4000CS had four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The engine did not have the ability to deliver torque to all four wheels independently, so this--by definition--is four-wheel drive. The "Quattro track" was activated by a three-position switch located just above the gearshift. In the unmarked position, the car was in regular front-wheel drive. In the "1" position, the rear wheels were also engaged, with the rear differential locked. In the "2" position, both the front and rear wheels were engaged, and both differentials were locked.
The rear differential did not have the ability to unlock.
When a differential is locked, it means that both wheels on the axle must spin together. The advantage of locking a differential is that it increases traction ability when only one wheel on an axle can grip the ground. For example: if the 4000CS became stuck on a muddy dirt road, the driver could put the Quattro switch in the "2" position--delivering power to all 4 wheels simultaneously. If only two wheels--say, the front left and rear right--could grip the road, those two wheels would get the car un-stuck. If, as the car moved along, it became that only the other two wheels could grip the road, the car would still continue to move. So, the advantage of being able to lock the front differential and engage both axles with the Quattro track is that one can achieve the best possible traction at all times. The disadvantage of locking a differential is that it will cause the tires to wear more quickly, and it causes more stress on the axle.
^^ That's not how the quattro works on these cars. With the switch in the unmarked position all diffs are open and if any one wheel is lifted off the ground or loses traction that wheel only will spin. The 2nd position locks the center differential and delivers torque 50/50 for front and rear. In the 3rd position the rear differential is locked in addition to the center diff. The front wheels never lock, and the rear only locks in the 3rd setting.
[edit] Styling and features
On the exterior, the 4000CS was designed to look like a luxury sedan. The Audi logo was displayed on the front grille, and the Audi name was displayed on the trunk lid, under the spoiler. The door handles matched the body moulding, and clearcoat metallic paint was an option.
The interior was designed to have "sport" appointments. Although the seats were plush and luxuriously comfortable, the dash area was "sport" style: tab-rocker component switches, red instrument lighting, sport steering wheel, et cetera. All the 4000CS cars had a sunroof, and many had heated seats.
The 4000CS had several features which were advanced and/or fancy in the mid 1980's--such as power mirrors with defoggers, cruise control with resume function, and heated front seats.
The 4000CS had a few stylish touches--one in particular being the word "QUATTRO" written on the rear windshield in defroster wire. The word was visible from the outside, and it also appeared in the rear-view mirror (reading in the appropriate direction, obviously).
