The Zender Vision 1S was a high-performance mid-engined coupe built by Zender, a German company established in 1978 in Mülheim-Kärlich near Koblenz that had built its reputation in bodywork tuning and aftermarket accessories. The car followed the original Zender Vision I, which had been unveiled at the 1983 IAA show as a realization of company founder Hans-Albert Zender's personal ambition to produce his own car, and which also marked ten years of collaboration between Zender and designer Günter Zillner. The Vision 1S itself was introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1984 as a revised version of that car, with a fully driveable example completed in 1986.
Both Vision models were based on the running gear of the Audi Quattro, using its floorpan, permanent four-wheel-drive system, and drivetrain, clothed in a fibreglass-reinforced plastic body designed by Günter Zillner and stiffened with an auxiliary steel tube frame. The body was a 2+2 coupe fitted with scissor-type doors opening on an angled swing axis, similar to designs previously associated with Bertone, and equipped with a safety mechanism allowing them to be opened even after an accident. Compared with the standard Quattro, the Vision retained the 252.5 cm wheelbase but grew to 452 cm in overall length and was considerably lower, at 115.5 cm versus 134.5 cm. Track width measured 142/146 cm and weight was given as 1290 kg. The original Vision I was 177 cm wide, while the revised Vision 1S widened to 185 cm, gaining a lower front spoiler, wider fenders, and additional air intakes for the intercooler and front of the rear wheels.
The five-cylinder 2144 cc turbocharged engine, shared with the Audi Quattro, was offered in the Vision I in three states of tune -- 200, 240 or 300 hp -- with Zender stating buyers could choose their preferred output. For the Vision 1S, only the 240 and 300 hp versions remained available. Top speed was quoted at around 270 km/h. The Vision I rode on Zender alloy wheels with turbo-vented brake cooling and Pirelli P7 tyres sized 245/45 VR16, while the Vision 1S used three-piece Gotti alloy wheels measuring 9x15 with 285/40 VR15 Pirelli P7 tyres. Suspension damping was developed together with Koni. The cabin featured a Zender four-spoke steering wheel, leather-trimmed Recaro C seats, two rear seat shells, round instrument dials, and a Clarion hi-fi system. Despite talk of possible small-scale production and customer-specified interiors, the Vision models remained low-volume creations built primarily to showcase Zender's own products.
