Audi 100 History
The sedan that relaunched Audi in 1968 — a range of mid-size cars that evolved through four generations before giving way to the A6.
Photo: “File:1974 Audi 100LS automatic four-door sedan (Lime Rock), fL.jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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Introduced to the press on 26 November 1968 as the first true post-war Audi, the 100 was developed secretly by engineer Ludwig Kraus to fill the gap between VW's small cars and the larger Mercedes and BMW offerings. Its name originally denoted a rated output of 100 PS (99 hp). The C1-generation car was a genuine surprise — larger and more refined than anything Volkswagen had sanctioned — and established Audi's identity as an upmarket alternative.
Four generations followed the original C1 (1968–1976): the C2 (1976–1982), the aerodynamically slippery C3 (1982–1991, drag coefficient as low as 0.30 Cd), and the C4 (1991–1994). The C3 generation was particularly significant: its slippery shape underpinned Audi's reputation for engineering-led design, and a turbodiesel variant helped pioneer efficient long-distance European motoring.
The C4-generation Audi 100 was renamed the Audi A6 in 1994 when Audi adopted its current alphanumeric naming scheme, carrying the lineage forward. The 100-series nameplate was retired after 26 years and four generations.
Generations
First generation (C1) · C1
Photo: “File:1974 Audi 100LS automatic four-door sedan (Lime Rock), fL.jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The car that relaunched the Audi name after the VW acquisition — a larger, more refined mid-size than VW had planned.
Third generation (C3) · C3
Photo: “File:Audi 100 C3 Typ 44 Limo 14062014 (Foto Hilarmont) (3).JPG” by Hilarmont / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 de. Cropped to 16:9.
Audi's aerodynamic-era flagship; the slippery body (Cd as low as 0.30) defined the brand's engineering identity.
Fourth generation (C4) · C4
The final 100 — renamed A6 in 1994 when Audi adopted its current alphanumeric model naming.
1991 Photo: “File:1991 Audi 100 in Pearl White Metallic, rear right.jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1994 Photo: “File:1994 Audi 100 SE Auto.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Wagon (Avant)
- Coupe
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