Audi Celebrates 50 Years Of Its Legendary 5 Cylinder : Automotive Addicts

Audi

Half a century in the past, Audi did one thing that appeared a bit odd on paper. As an alternative of going all in on a straight six like everybody anticipated, it doubled down on a brand new 5 cylinder constructed from the bones of a humble 4. That call, made within the mid Seventies for the second technology Audi 100, has became one of many model’s best hits. The unique 2.1 liter injected engine made 136 PS and gave the Audi 100 5E the form of easy, lengthy legged efficiency patrons wished in a extra upscale sedan. It additionally laid the inspiration for a household of engines that may outline Audi’s “Vorsprung durch Technik” mantra on the road and on the world’s rally phases.

From there, the story escalated shortly. In 1979 Audi bolted a turbo to its 5 cylinder for the Audi 200 5T, and never lengthy after, the unique quattro arrived and altered all the things. With turbocharging, intercooling and everlasting all wheel drive, the 5 cylinder within the Ur quattro delivered 200 PS and a soundtrack that echoed by means of the forests of the World Rally Championship. The flame burned even hotter with the Sport quattro, whose 4 valve, alloy block model pumped out 306 PS in street trim and much more in Group B rally spec. These hearth respiration vehicles carried legends like Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist and Walter Röhrl to championship titles and that document breaking Pikes Peak win in 1987, they usually cemented the off beat 5 cylinder thrum as an Audi calling card.

Even because the Group B period pale and V6 engines arrived within the Nineteen Nineties, Audi discovered new methods to make use of the structure. There have been robust, torquey 5 cylinder diesels like the two.5 TDI, and wild street vehicles such because the Avant RS2, which mainly invented the thought of a supercar fast household wagon with 315 PS and Porsche involvement in its growth. Ultimately the configuration stepped out of the limelight, solely to roar again in 2009 within the TT RS. That automotive’s 2.5 liter turbo 5 introduced 340 PS, an enormous wave of torque and that unmistakable warble to a brand new technology of lovers, then unfold to the RS 3 and RS Q3. A brand new evolution in 2016 pushed output to 400 PS and helped the RS 3 scoop up a number of “Engine of the 12 months” trophies whereas standing alone in a section dominated by 4 cylinders.

Right this moment the story continues within the newest RS 3, which carries what could be the ultimate and most polished model of Audi’s iconic motor. The present 2.5 TFSI, internally often known as EA855 Evo Sport, delivers 400 PS and 500 Nm in world spec and sends the compact 4 door from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with accessible high speeds as much as 290 km/h when correctly optioned. For the U.S., Audi lists the 2026 RS 3 at 394 hp and 369 lb ft, nonetheless paired with a seven velocity twin clutch and quattro all wheel drive. Past the numbers, the engine’s magic trick is its character. The 1 2 4 5 3 firing order and punctiliously tuned exhaust give it a syncopated, off beat rhythm that no 4 cylinder can match, and totally variable exhaust flaps in modes like RS Efficiency let extra of that character out when the driving force is within the temper.

Behind the scenes, additionally it is a really fashionable piece of engineering. The aluminum block saves weight, a hole crankshaft and magnesium oil pan trim extra grams, and plasma coated cylinder liners lower friction. Twin injection and Audi’s valvelift system assist it punch arduous whereas protecting consumption in examine, and each unit is hand assembled by specialists at Audi’s Győr plant in Hungary earlier than making the journey to satisfy its chassis on the RS 3 line in Ingolstadt. It’s an unusually human course of in an more and more automated world, which feels becoming for an engine that has at all times traded as a lot on emotion as on knowledge. Fifty years on from that first Audi 100 5E, the 5 cylinder stays a mechanical signature for the model, and in vehicles just like the RS 3 it nonetheless appears like a best hits album taking part in at full quantity.

Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate fanatic with over 15 years of expertise immersed on the earth of vehicles. Whether or not it’s exploring the newest developments in automotive expertise or protecting an in depth pulse on breaking business information, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all issues automotive. His writing blends technical perception with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and interesting for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or underneath the hood, Lloyd enjoys take a look at driving the most recent fashions and staying forward of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive panorama.