Audi 80 is a compact executive car produced from 1966 to 1996 available as both a saloon and estate. The Audi 80 was a hugely successful model for the German manufacturer, based on a combination of reliability and flair. Convertible and coupe models have also been made but these carried different classifications. In the US and North America the Audi 80 was known as the Audi Fox and after 1979 as the Audi 4000. The Audi 90 was developed as a luxury version of the Audi 80.
Audi chairman of technical engineering Dr Ludwig Kraus presented the Audi 80 in 1972, the continuation of the model that began with the Audi 100. The Audi 80 used a 4 cylinder OHC engine, also later adopted by VW. The Audi 80 was a huge hit. Over a million of these early models were built/sold within a six year period.
The name Audi 80 did not emerge until 1965. Audi 80 did not denote the series number at first but was associated with output in horsepower among early versions. The Audi 80 eventually made its official arrival in showrooms in 1972. Models included the Audi 80 GT and Audi 80 GTE, sporting circular double headlights instead of large single headlights. Following a revamp in 1976 the design became closer to the Audi 100. The Audi 80 was powered by the same engines used for the Type 80, with outputs ranging from 55 to 110 bhp. Versions included a two door or four door saloon. The second Audi 80 model series was also built as a two door and a four door. There was also an Audi 80 rally version. This second-generation Audi 80 was conceived in 1979 specifically for rallying. Only four of these competition cars, with their capable160 bhp engine, were built.
Audi unveiled the third generation of the Audi 80 in 1986, known as the B3. As with the Audi 100/200 model range the year before, the Audi 80 also benefited from a fully galvanised body, with ten year warranty against rust. With a drag co-efficient of 0.29 the Audi 80 offered excellent aerodynamics. Also, in 1988 a sports Coup was derived from the third generation of the Audi 80. The Audi 90 launched in 1984 available with a choice of front-wheel drive and quattro drive. It was derived from the Type 81/82 second-generation Audi 80. On a visual level many bodywork features were borrowed from the Audi Coup. In contrast to the Audi 80 5-cylinder in-line engines were mainly fitted in the Audi 90 - with the exception of an underused 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine version. The much more powerful 5-cylinder in-line engine and superior equipment levels of the Audi 90 was a big improvement. A B3 saloon successor, unveiled in 1987, was even more different from the original Audi 80 model that inspired it.
The Audi 80 B4 made its debut in 1991, based on the Type 89 version of the Audi 80 but was nearly 8 cm longer. The design of the new Audi 80 was inspired by the larger Audi 100 C4. The Audi 80 B4 launch saw the Audi 80 and 90 unified into a single model series again. It was available as a saloon. In addition to the five-cylinder engines which had traditionally been the preserve of the Audi 90, the Audi 80 B4 was also available with V6 engines for the first time. There was also the Avant, the estate version of the Audi 80, which premiered in 1992. In March 1994 Audi also presented its new model in the premium segment at the Geneva Motor Show, the Audi A8. This was the first production model with an all-aluminium body. At the same time a new naming process was introduced for the Audis. From then the Audi 80 was known as Audi A4 and Audi 100 was the A6. These were followed by the Audi A3 in 1996, the first representative in the compact class category.
1.6 - 101 hp four-cylinder petrol engine
2.0 - 90 hp four-cylinder petrol engine
2.0 E - 115 hp four-cylinder petrol engine
2.0 E 16V - 140 hp 16-valve, four-cylinder petrol engine
2.3 E - 133 hp five-cylinder petrol engine
2.6 E - 150 hp V6 petrol engine
2.8 E - 174 hp V6 petrol engine
1.9 TD - 75 hp four-cylinder turbo diesel engine
1.9 TDI - 90 hp four-cylinder turbo diesel engine
F103 - Audi 80 (1966–1969)
Type 80: B1 - Audi 80 (1973–1976)
Type 82/33 - B1; Audi 80 (1977–1978)
Type 81 - B2; Audi 80 and 90 (1979–1987)
Type 85 - B2; Audi Coupé (1981–1987); Audi 4000 quattro (1984-1987) Audi quattro (1981–1991); Audi Sport quattro (1984–1987)
Type 89/8A - B3; Audi 80/90 (1987–1992)
Type 89Q- B3; Audi 80/90 quattro (1987–1992)
Type 8B - B3; Audi Coupé (1989–1996); Audi S2 (1991–1996)
Type 8C - B4; Audi 80 (1992–1995)
Type 8G - B4; Audi Cabriolet (1991–2000)
