Modern Classic: Audi 100

After driving the latest Audi RS6 over the weekend (review coming soon), I’m reflecting on the third generation Audi 100 that was launched in 1982, becoming a a trend setter and moved the needle on aerodynamics for cars of its time.

The original 100 of 1968 was so called because of its 100bhp engine. Back in its day, the “C3” version of the 100, as it was then referred to model wise, set a new industry standard of 0.30 for its drag efficient. The slippery look of the sedan and estate, called the Avant, still look good almost 40 years later.

Audi focused particularly on flush windows to achieve its aerodynamic prowess, a trend quickly picked up by other manufacturers. It had galvanised steel construction to ensure long term rigidity, which is why some survive on the roads even today. Its ground-breaking Procon-Ten safety system pulled the dashboard and steering wheel up and away from the driver’s face in the event of a crash.

My favourite of the two styles was the swoopy Avant. It had the option of a third row seat. Avant buyers of mid-1980s would have decided between a Volvo 740 estate and, if they had the money, the gold standard Mercedes-Benz 300TE estate. At the time this was the extent of luxury wagons!

Engines were varied but the best 100’s had a 2.3-litre fuel injected five cylinder good for 100kW and a 2.2-litre fuel injected five cylinder turbo that had 121kW. The Quattro four-wheel-drive system featured on some models too.

After its 1982 launch the 100 was followed by the even more luxurious 200, which came in sedan form only. The 200 had five cylinder engines and topped out with a turbo version good for 162kW that could hit 224km/h at top whack.

The C4 of 1990, which was a heavily revised C3, continued to use the 100 name all the way through to 1995 when it became the A6 as we know today and was replaced by an all-new A6 in 1997. The C4 introduced a 2.8-litre V6 and later, a 2.6 V6.

Sadly TradeMe reveals no examples of the 1980’s Audi 100 in New Zealand for sale.

For me, my only experience was that my school economics teacher had a gold 1984 100 Avant. However, on a trip through Kazakhstan in 2006 I saw many examples of the C3 in action on the pot holed roads there. True to form they were standing the test of time and I often wonder if any are still on the roads there today.

Did you own an Audi 100 or still have one? If you did we would love to hear from you and hear your story. Email: Liz@automse.co.nz