From humble beginnings to World Rally Championships, these are the eight biggest moments within the historical past of the Audi 5-cylinder engine.
5 Cylinders of Enjoyable!
Audi is about to rejoice a really particular milestone in 2026. 50 years of the 5-cylinder engine. Time flies when you’re producing one of the crucial distinctive and profitable car engines of all time. It began in 1976 with the Audi 100. The engine solely grew stronger and extra superior from there. The 5-cylinder noticed not simply industrial success, however motorsport success as properly.
To rejoice the golden anniversary of the Audi 5-cylinder, we’re looking again at eight of the best moments within the historical past of the engine. From its debut in 1976 by means of its use right now within the excellent RS 3. The 5-cylinder has been a part of many particular Audi moments. These are eight of the most important.
1. Audi 100 Debut
Audi wished to maneuver the Audi 100 mannequin additional upmarket and was searching for an engine to assist get it there. The standard 4-cylinder engines of the time simply didn’t reduce it. 6-cylinder engines have been thought-about too massive, they usually didn’t have a positive weight distribution. So, the concept of the 5-cylinder was born. That first 5-cylinder debuted within the 1976 Audi 100. The two.1L unit made about 134 horsepower. However that was solely the start. The engine would quickly be enhanced with gasoline injection and turbochargers, dramatically growing energy numbers.
2. 1980 Audi quattro
One of the crucial iconic Audi fashions in historical past is the unique Audi quattro, now often called the “Ur-quattro.” The groundbreaking quattro all-wheel drive system tends to get all of the glory. However we will’t dismiss the truth that this automobile was additionally powered by the 5-cylinder. Now being turbocharged and intercooled, the two.1L engine made about 200 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. This engine gave the Ur-quattro the efficiency to again up its aggressive appears.
Behold…! An automotive icon was born.
3. World Rally Championships
The Audi 5-cylinder would go on to energy a few of the most legendary rally vehicles in historical past. Audi secured the World Rally Championship title for the primary time in 1982. The subsequent yr, it received once more with Finnish driver Hannu Mikkola taking residence the drivers’ title. In the end, this led to the event of one of the crucial fascinating Group B rally vehicles of all time, the Audi Sport Quattro S1. In racing trim, the tiny 2.1L 5-cylinder was good for between 450 and 650 horsepower. The Audi Group B rally automobile was one of the crucial thrilling and terrifying vehicles ever created.
4. Pikes Peak Victory
Audi withdrew from rally racing in 1986, however they did not surrender on racing fully. Walter Röhrl received the 1987 hill climb on Pikes Peak within the Audi Sport quattro S1 (E2). Hurley Haywood received the American Trans-Am collection in 1988 with a 5-cylinder-powered Audi. After which in 1989, the IMSA GTO captivated the US touring automobile scene with a 5-cylinder engine that made properly over 700 horsepower. Regardless of the massive energy numbers, the engine nonetheless had simply over two liters of displacement.
5. RS 2 Avant
When Audi RS 2 Avant was launched in 1994, it was the very first Audi RS mannequin. It was additionally the primary Audi to exceed a prime velocity of 250 km/h. This unimaginable machine was developed collaboratively with Porsche. A number of Porsche elements have been used within the RS 2 Avant construct. However underneath the hood was a 2.2L 5-cylinder engine. It was massaged a bit to provide a wholesome 310 horsepower.
The RS 2 Avant is likely one of the most vital vehicles in Audi historical past, and it too used a 5-cylinder.
6. TT RS
In 2009, the 5-cylinder engine grew to 2.5L and powered the high-performance Audi TT RS. Horsepower was as much as 335 because of turbocharging and direct injection. It was sufficient to lastly give the TT the efficiency chops that it deserved. In 2012, energy grew once more with the TT RS Plus making 355 horsepower. By 2016, the unit made 394 horsepower because of extra upgrades like light-weight supplies that decreased inside friction.
7. RS 3
Right now, the excellent Audi RS 3 continues the Audi 5-cylinder legacy and custom. Making round 400 horsepower (emissions requirements hold altering issues), the two.5L 5-cylinder scoots the high-performance RS 3 to 60 mph in properly underneath 4 seconds. The engine revs to 7,000 rpm and makes the unmistakable 5-pot sound alongside the way in which. It’s a huge cause why many think about the RS 3 to be the most effective RS automobile in all the Audi lineup.
8. Hand Constructed
For additional proof that the 5-cylinder is particular, you simply should see how it’s made. It isn’t bolted collectively by a bunch of robots like plenty of trendy engines. The 5-cylinder is hand-built within the Győr plant in Hungary, assembled by extremely certified specialists at 21 stations earlier than it leaves the manufacturing unit. Many key elements, such because the connecting rods and cylinder crankcase, together with the plasma coating of the cylinder liners, are manufactured individually in a specialised manufacturing space, additionally on the Győr plant. The engine goes by means of each a chilly and a scorching check (the place the engine is began and examined underneath load) earlier than it leaves the plant. As soon as it passes these assessments, it takes a prepare journey to Ingolstadt, the place it’s put in within the RS 3. It’s a particular course of for a particular engine.
Pleased Anniversary, Audi 5 Cylinder!
Photos: Audi
