Clarkson's favoriete Rally Battle: Audi Quattro VS. Lancia 037 | The Grand Tour | Prime Video NL
Audi's Quattro, developed from a military 4WD vehicle, transformed rally racing with superior grip and power, but faced initial rule bans until the regulation was changed in Audi's favor. The Quattro dominated rallies with its turbocharged four-wheel-drive system and a strong, well-funded German team supported by Volkswagen.
Lancia countered with the nimble, two-wheel-drive 037, backed by a shoestring Italian team led by a playboy manager and driven by Walter Röhrl, who focused on selected key events rather than the full championship. Despite the Quattro’s superior power and traction and multiple championship wins, Lancia showcased cunning strategies like salt-spreading on icy stages, tire changes mid-race, and clever tactics to neutralize Audi's advantage.
The season’s battles played out across diverse and challenging rallies, from snow and ice in Monte Carlo and Sweden to tarmac in Corsica and rough roads in Greece. Audi’s dominance was challenged late in the season when Walter Röhrl’s refusal to race in Finland handed Audi an easy victory, but Lancia’s spectacular win in San Remo, characterized by driver skill in dusty and tricky conditions, finally secured them the championship.
The battle remains a classic example of contrasting philosophies, technology, and team styles in rally history—the powerful, well-funded German engineering against the passionate, resourceful Italian underdog spirit. It redefined rally racing, making four-wheel drive the essential standard for future rally success.
