The EL1 is a wild 816PS Sport Quattro‑inspired EV

This stunning machine quite obviously pays hommage to the Sport Quattro, without presumably invoking the wrath of Audi’s crack team of lawyers. It’s also as much about the future as it is a nod to the past, being an EV capable of going 248 miles on a charge. It also happens to have 816PS (600kW), delivered via three electric motors – one up front and two at the rear. Around 612PS (450kW) is delivered out back, while the front motor packs a token 204PS (150kW).

The performance numbers are fairly incredible: 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds, 0-124mph in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of around 186mph. Better yet, it’s claimed that two full laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife will be possible with the car in its maximum attack mode.

It’s not exactly a Leaf powertrain plugged into a Quattro-esque body, then. It packs an 800-volt architecture and can be charged at up to 300kW in DC fast charging. That’s equivalent to over 1,000 miles per hour of charging that can be added, meaning your 90kW battery will be comfortably juiced from empty inside 20 minutes. 

While it looks super retro-modern on the outside, it’s fully modern on the inside. The car is underpinned by a carbon monocoque chassis. That bodywork is a cocktail of composites, too. As well it needs to be. With all the EV gear chucked in, even with the featherweight composites, the EL1 will weigh 1,650kg. Not Taycan chunky, but hardly an Alpine. All that said, even though there isn’t a look at the cabin yet, it’s expected it’ll be luxuriously appointed inside with a proper infotainment system.

So, how many will there be and how much will it cost? There’s the rub. Even real-life Quattro owners might turn their nose up to the £1 million-plus each of the 30 cars will cost (it’s 870,000 Euro plus tax). Interested? Don’t worry, if they sell out, it’s expected a number of reimagined rally legends are on the way from E-Legend after the EL1. We look forward to seeing them...