“Nardò 6000” Audi 200 Quattro Last of Its Kind
One of three Audi 200s built to destroy Mercedes’ C111 speed records, “Nardò 6000” a significant part of Ingolstadt’s history.
Back in the late Eighties, Audi had its sights set upon Mercedes. Specifically, the records set by the latter’s diesel-powered C111 prototypes back in the late Seventies. Thus, the late Dr. Ferdinand Piëch picked three 1988 Audi 200 Quattro sedans to take on the task at Fiat’s old Nardo Ring. The “Nardò 6000” trio would go on to smash two of the C111’s records, with a third aborted when one of the Audi’s crashed.
Now, the sole remaining “Nardò 6000” Audi 200 Quattro, Nardò 6000/1, is on its way to the auction block of Bonhams, where it will be one of the many belles of the ball at The Grand Palais in Paris this early February.
Purchased by one of its drivers, Dr. Siegfried “Sigi” Brunn, before finding a new home with its current owner, the “Nardò 6000” Audi 200 Quattro and its two lost siblings chased down both the 500-kilometer and 1,000-kilometer speed records held by the C111 (199.23 mph and 197.78 mph, respectively). The turbocharged all-wheel drive sedans knocked out both, travelling 500 kilometers at 201.641 mph, and 1,000 kilometers at 202.817 mph. The crash that stopped all other attempts arrived during a long-distance high-speed trek of 30,000 kilometers.
The masterpiece powering the “Nardò 6000” Audi 200 Quattro is its 2.2-liter turbo-five, bulked up for the challenge with 650 horses at the ready. Two of the 200s featured 20-valve units, while this one has 25 valves. The beast was fed with a big, 90-gallon fuel tank, which received all of its fuel in 25 seconds thanks to an aerospace-derived quick-filler.
The body itself was given tons of lightweight materials to maximize its already-great power on the track, from Kevlar bodywork at the front and rear, to aluminum for the doors and roof. Plastic windows and mag wheels were part of the package, too.
Bonhams expects this “Nardò 6000” Audi 200 to fetch anywhere between $340,000 and $570,000. No matter how much this unique Audi goes for, though, the new owner will have a piece of Ingolstadt history few have experienced. Perhaps it might one day make an appearance at a concours, or even Goodwood.
Photos: Bonhams
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