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Photo of a Audi 100

Audi 100

Researched November 9, 2026 from 29 sources

Also called

  • Prokuristen-MercedesThe first 100's Mercedes-like dimensions, sober character, and low price appealed to buyers who could not stretch to a Benz.1
  • Aerodynamik-WeltmeisterJournalists coined this title for the 1982 C3's low drag; Audi adopted it in publicity. Its base model reached Cd 0.30.23

At a glance

0150300
67–276 hpPower
01020
6.2–16.8 s0–100 km/h
0125250
148–249 km/hTop speed
0200400
123–400 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
980–1,730 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.23789

Engine
I4/I5 gasoline; I5 diesels; C3 2.5 TDI; C4 2.8 L V6; S4 4.2 L V837
Layout
Longitudinal front engine; FWD or quattro; C4 AWD: Torsen37
Gearbox
4–5-speed manuals, 3–4-speed autos; C4 TDI offered a 6-speed manual37
Built at
Neckarsulm, Ingolstadt, Wolfsburg, Germany; Hongqi, Changchun, China3
Units built
C1: 827,474, including 30,687 Coupé S; C2 100/200: 988,5813

The story

Ludwig Kraus developed the 100 in secret to keep Auto Union independent and take Audi into the executive class. The C3's base model later combined flush side windows with a drag coefficient of 0.30.34

1968: C1/F104 launches with four doors19681970: Italian-inspired Coupé S arrives19701977: Avant arrives; 1 million 100s built19771982: C3/Type 44 reaches Cd 0.3019821984: C3 gains permanent quattro19841989: 2.5 TDI premieres at Frankfurt19891990: C4/Type 4A arrives with V6 power19901994: July facelift turns the 100 into A61994 Audi 100 (C1 (Typ F104)): 1968–1977C1 (Typ F104)Audi 100 (C2 (Typ 43)): 1976–1982Audi 100 (C3 (Typ 44)): 1982–1991C3 (Typ 44)Audi 100 (C4 (Typ 4A)): 1990–1994Audi A6 (C4 / Type 4A): 1994–1997 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones237814
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1968–1977Audi 100 (C1 (Typ F104))
1976–1982Audi 100 (C2 (Typ 43))
1982–1991Audi 100 (C3 (Typ 44))
1990–1994Audi 100 (C4 (Typ 4A))
1994–1997Audi A6 (C4 / Type 4A)
1968C1/F104 launches with four doors
1970Italian-inspired Coupé S arrives
1977Avant arrives; 1 million 100s built
1982C3/Type 44 reaches Cd 0.30
1984C3 gains permanent quattro
19892.5 TDI premieres at Frankfurt
1990C4/Type 4A arrives with V6 power
1994July facelift turns the 100 into A6
  1. 1968

    C1/F104 launches with four doors

    Unveiled on November 26, the Audi 100 began as a four-door sedan; a two-door followed in October 1969.3

  2. 1970

    Italian-inspired Coupé S arrives

    October brought the Italian-inspired Coupé S and its 113-hp four-cylinder. Just 30,687 were built.5

  3. 1977

    Avant arrives; 1 million 100s built

    A five-door hatchback, the first Avant arrived in August. September's millionth Audi 100 was an Avant assembled at Neckarsulm.3

  4. 1982

    C3/Type 44 reaches Cd 0.30

    Pin-mounted flush side windows helped the base model reach Cd 0.30. The 1983 Avant switched from hatchback to wagon.23

  5. 1984

    C3 gains permanent quattro

    Permanent all-wheel drive arrived in November. Fully galvanized bodies followed in September 1985 for model year 1986.2

  6. 1989

    2.5 TDI premieres at Frankfurt

    The first Audi to wear TDI used a 118-hp, 2.5-liter direct-injection turbo five, unveiled at Frankfurt before its January 1990 C3 debut.36

  7. 1990

    C4/Type 4A arrives with V6 power

    Sales opened on December 7. A new 2.8-liter V6 joined the range; quattro models used a Torsen differential.7

  8. 1994

    July facelift turns the 100 into A6

    The C4 was facelifted and renamed A6; the S4 became S6. The Audi 100 badge disappeared in July.7

Every generation

  • Audi F 103
    F 103
  • Audi 100
    C1 (Typ F104)1968–1977
  • Audi 100
    C2 (Typ 43)1976–1982
  • Audi 100
    C3 (Typ 44)1982–1991
  • Audi 100
    C4 (Typ 4A)1990–1994
  • Audi A6
    C4 / Type 4A1994–1997

Power over the years

From 79 hp to 276 hp in 24 years.

0100200300 19701975198019851990 hp 1968 · 79 hp · 100 1.8 base1970 · 113 hp · 100 Coupé S1978 · 69 hp · 100 5D 2.0 diesel1982 · 100 hp · 5000S, 1983 Baja comparison1983 · 84 hp · 5000 Turbo Diesel1986 · 163 hp · 100 Turbo1989 · 217 hp · 200 quattro 20V1990 · 118 hp · 100 C3 2.5 TDI1991 · 227 hp · S4 2.2 turbo1992 · 172 hp · 100CS V6 (road test)1992 · 276 hp · S4 4.2 V8 276 hp S4 4.2 V8 79 hp 100 1.8 base
3578910111213
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
196879100 1.8 base
1970113100 Coupé S
197869100 5D 2.0 diesel
19821005000S, 1983 Baja comparison
1983845000 Turbo Diesel
1986163100 Turbo
1989217200 quattro 20V
1990118100 C3 2.5 TDI
1991227S4 2.2 turbo
1992172100CS V6 (road test)
1992276S4 4.2 V8

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 100 / S / LS / GL / L (C1)

    Standard

    100 / S / LS / GL / L (C1)

    1968–1976

  • 100 5E / 5S / 5D (C2)

    Standard

    100 5E / 5S / 5D (C2)

    1977–1982

  • Standard

    100 CD (C2)

    1978–1982

  • 100 / CC / CS / CD and 2.5 TDI (C3)

    Standard

    100 / CC / CS / CD and 2.5 TDI (C3)

    1982–1991

  • 100 Avant

    Standard

    100 Avant

    1977–1994

  • Standard

    100 / 100S / 100CS / 500 (C4)

    1990–1994

  • Performance

    100 Turbo (C3)

    163 hp

  • Special

    100 CS (C2)

    1982

  • Special

    100 quattro Sport 1 (S743) / Sport 2 (S711) (C3)

  • 100 Coupé S (C1)

    Performance

    100 Coupé S (C1)

    1970–1976

    113 hp

    30,687 built

  • S4 4.2 V8 (C4)

    Performance

    S4 4.2 V8 (C4)

    1992–1994

    276 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • C2 four-door sedans: triangular rear quarter windows.8
  • C3: side windows sit flush with the surrounding bodywork.3
  • C3 Avant: wagon body ending in a noticeably sloped tail.311
  • C4: ordinary 100s have orange turn signals; the S4 uses white lenses.7

Year by year

  1. 1972 (C1)

    Sedans gain a flap over the fuel filler in the right rear quarter.314

  2. 1974 (C1)

    Squarer grille and sharper fenders, plus new taillight patterns; US-market LS cars gain larger safety bumpers.3

  3. August 1979 (C2)

    New headlights with white turn signals and wider taillights mark the facelift.38

  4. 1978–1983 (C2 5000)

    First 2 model years: twin round headlamps; rectangular units follow.3

  5. January 1988 (C3)

    Flush door handles, revised taillights and a richer cabin with a new instrument cluster distinguish facelifted cars.31112

  6. 1989 (US C3)

    The 5000 name becomes 100/200 for the US model year, alongside an updated interior.319

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi 100
    100
    Photo of a Audi 200 (C3)
    Audi 200 (C3)

    Audi 200 (C3)

    Its rear panel extends the taillights visually, but some 100s gained that panel as a retrofit.311

  • Photo of a Audi 100
    100
    Photo of a Audi 5000 (C2)
    Audi 5000 (C2)

    Audi 5000 (C2)

    North American sibling: impact-absorbing bumpers, side markers and sealed-beam headlights; early cars have twin round lamps.315

  • Audi A6 / S6 (C4)

    Check the model name: the facelift became A6/S6 in July 1994. Unequal-size mirrors also appear on late 100s.7

Against its rivals

  • Saab 900 Turbo

    100 vs Saab 900 Turbo

    0–60 mph lower is better

    10010.8 s
    Saab 900 Turbo9.3 s
    10
  • Volvo 760GLE

    100 vs Volvo 760GLE

    Skidpad grip

    1000.8 g
    Volvo 760GLE0.7 g
    10

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 1990200020102020 1982 · $15,500 · US base, 5000S (est.)1982 · $16,500 · US tested, 5000S (est.)1983 · $17,480 · US base, 5000 Turbo Diesel1983 · $20,680 · US tested, 5000 Turbo Diesel1987 · $25,400 · US base, 5000S Quattro1987 · $27,930 · US tested, 5000S Quattro1992 · $27,000 · US base, 100 (est.)1992 · $34,000 · US base, 100CS (est.) 2024 · $10,250 · 1993 S4, 85k miles shown, BaT2024 · $7,600 · 1993 S4, 245k miles shown, total mileage unknown, Bring a Trailer2025 · $5,250 · 1991 100 2.3E, 154k km shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $10,750 · 1989 100 Avant, 98k miles shown, BaT $10.8K BaT, 2026
910131719202829
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1982Price when new$15,500US base, 5000S (est.)
1982Price when new$16,500US tested, 5000S (est.)
1983Price when new$17,480US base, 5000 Turbo Diesel
1983Price when new$20,680US tested, 5000 Turbo Diesel
1987Price when new$25,400US base, 5000S Quattro
1987Price when new$27,930US tested, 5000S Quattro
1992Price when new$27,000US base, 100 (est.)
1992Price when new$34,000US base, 100CS (est.)
2024Auction sale$10,2501993 S4, 85k miles shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$7,6001993 S4, 245k miles shown, total mileage unknown, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$5,2501991 100 2.3E, 154k km shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$10,7501989 100 Avant, 98k miles shown, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Two 1988 titles for the 200 quattro”
    • “S4 shells, IMSA GTO running gear”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. Audi 100 (1968-1976) - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  2. Audi 100 C3 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  3. Audi 100 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. 0 to 100 | Audi Magazine Australia magazine.audi.com.au
  5. New book from Audi Tradition: “Audi 100 Coupé S” | audi.com audi.com
  6. 50 years of the Audi five-cylinder | audi.com audi.com
  7. Audi 100 C4 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  8. Audi 100 C2 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  9. 1983 Audi 5000 Turbo Diesel Tested: Just Add Snails caranddriver.com
  10. Tested: 1983 Baja Mexico Sedan Torture Test caranddriver.com
  11. Audi 100/200 Typ 44 (C3) kaufen: Ratgeber autozeitung.de
  12. Kaufberatung: Audi 100 Typ 44 (C3) - AUTO BILD KLASSIK autobild.de
  13. 1992 Audi 100CS Archive Road Test caranddriver.com
  14. Audi 100 C1 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  15. typ43 audi-klassik.de
  16. Modellvarianten | www.langzeitauto.de langzeitauto.de
  17. Original-Owner 1993 Audi S4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,250 on August 3, 2024 (Lot #156,996) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  18. Audi 100 sport (sport 2) | www.langzeitauto.de langzeitauto.de
  19. 1989 Audi 100 Avant for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,750 on June 11, 2026 (Lot #247,239) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  20. Tested: 1987 Audi 5000S Quattro Spreads the AWD Gospel caranddriver.com
  21. Intended Advantage, Part 4: Consistency Rewarded - Audi Club North America audiclubna.org
  22. 1992 Audi S4 GTO - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  23. The jump | Audi Magazine Australia magazine.audi.com.au
  24. Domino's Honors Ferris Bueller, Complete With Audi-Driving Cameron Cameo | Carscoops carscoops.com
  25. A Joyride with the Cars of a Cinematic Classic: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off | American Collectors Insurance americancollectors.com
  26. The Big Read - FAW (3/5) - Hongqi and Audi, a family history carnewschina.com
  27. Kaufberatung Audi 100 C1 (F104) Der Ur-Hunderter von Audi (localized) classicmoto.rs
  28. No Reserve: Euro 1991 Audi 100 2.3E for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,250 on December 11, 2025 (Lot #223,046) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. No Reserve: 28-Years-Owned 1993 Audi S4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,600 on July 8, 2024 (Lot #153,776) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • autobild.de
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • magazine.audi.com.au
  • audi.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • autozeitung.de
  • audi-klassik.de
  • langzeitauto.de
  • bringatrailer.com
  • audiclubna.org
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • carscoops.com
  • americancollectors.com

Photo credits

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