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Photo of a Audi 80

Audi 80

B1: an 835 kg base model and Audi's first million-selling car.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 28 sources

Also called

  • Audi FoxNorth American and Australian name for the 80, used for model years 1973–1979.2
  • Audi 4000US-market name for model years 1980–1987.2
  • Audi 4000SUS four-door companion to the 4000 5+5, initially sharing its engine with a three-speed automatic.2

At a glance

0200400
49.3–310.59 hpPower
012.525
5.4–22 s0–100 km/h
0150300
145–262 km/hTop speed
0250500
92–410 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.34567

Engine
1.3–2.8 L I4/I5/V6; 1.6–1.9 L diesel I4; RS2: 2.2 L turbo I526
Layout
Longitudinal front engine; FWD or permanent quattro AWD2
Gearbox
4/5-speed manuals; 3/4-speed autos; S2 ABY and RS2: 6-speed manual26
Built at
Ingolstadt/Emden/Wolfsburg, Germany; Clayton, Australia; Uitenhage, South Africa2
Units built
B1: 1,103,766; B2 80: 1,405,506; B3 80: 1,438,475; B4: over 826,00026

The story

Conceived as a dependable family car, Ludwig Kraus's lightweight B1 introduced the EA827 engine family and became the basis for the VW Passat launched in 1973.123

1972: 835 kg at the B1 debut19721973: European Car of the Year19731975: Fuel injection replaces the GT19751978: Giugiaro's B2 moves upmarket19781982: Quattro reaches the sedan19821986: B3: zinc, 0.29 drag and Procon-ten19861991: B4 adds V6 power; Avant follows19911994: RS2 Avant: 262 km/h with Porsche19941995: The last Avant leaves the line1995 DKW F102 (F102): 1963–1966Audi F103 (F103): 1965–1972F103Audi 80 (B1 (Typ 80, 82)): 1972–1978Audi 80 (B2 (Typ 81, 85)): 1978–1986Audi 80 (B3 (Typ 89)): 1986–1991Audi 80 (B4 (Typ 8C)): 1991–1995Audi A4 (B5): 1994–B5 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1234561516
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1963–1966DKW F102 (F102)
1965–1972Audi F103 (F103)
1972–1978Audi 80 (B1 (Typ 80, 82))
1978–1986Audi 80 (B2 (Typ 81, 85))
1986–1991Audi 80 (B3 (Typ 89))
1991–1995Audi 80 (B4 (Typ 8C))
1994–Audi A4 (B5)
1972835 kg at the B1 debut
1973European Car of the Year
1975Fuel injection replaces the GT
1978Giugiaro's B2 moves upmarket
1982Quattro reaches the sedan
1986B3: zinc, 0.29 drag and Procon-ten
1991B4 adds V6 power; Avant follows
1994RS2 Avant: 262 km/h with Porsche
1995The last Avant leaves the line
  1. 1972

    835 kg at the B1 debut

    The B1 reaches the press in July. Its two-door base model weighs 835 kg and brings Europe's first mass-produced use of negative scrub radius.1

  2. 1973

    European Car of the Year

    The 80 beats the Renault 5 and Alfa Romeo Alfetta, then goes on to become Audi's first million-selling car.12

  3. 1975

    Fuel injection replaces the GT

    October brings the 80 GTE, replacing the carbureted GT with a fuel-injected 1.6-liter engine rated at 108 hp.12

  4. 1978

    Giugiaro's B2 moves upmarket

    September introduces the B2 sedan, styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro; the wagon role stays with the Volkswagen Passat.2

  5. 1982

    Quattro reaches the sedan

    The 80 quattro 5E arrives in November with 134 hp, becoming Audi's first all-wheel-drive sedan.4

  6. 1986

    B3: zinc, 0.29 drag and Procon-ten

    The B3 arrives with a fully galvanized body and 0.29 drag coefficient. Optional Procon-ten tightens belts and retracts the steering column in a frontal crash.5

  7. 1991

    B4 adds V6 power; Avant follows

    September's B4 merges the 80 and 90 ranges and adds V6 engines. A redesigned rear axle makes room for the Avant, launched in summer 1992.6

  8. 1994

    RS2 Avant: 262 km/h with Porsche

    March brings the RS2 Avant, developed with Porsche. Its 262 km/h top speed makes it the world's fastest wagon; 2,891 are built.7

  9. 1995

    The last Avant leaves the line

    The sedan ends in December 1994 after the A4 arrives in November. The Avant continues until December 1995, closing the B1–B4 family.16

Every generation

  • DKW F102
    F1021963–1966
  • Audi F103
    F1031965–1972
  • Audi 80
    B1 (Typ 80, 82)1972–1978
  • Audi 80
    B2 (Typ 81, 85)1978–1986
  • Audi 80
    B3 (Typ 89)1986–1991
  • Audi 80
    B4 (Typ 8C)1991–1995
  • Audi A4
    B5

Power over the years

From 54 hp to 311 hp in 22 years.

0100200300400 19751980198519901995 hp 1972 · 54 hp · B1 1.3 base1972 · 74 hp · B1 1.5 LS1972 · 84 hp · B1 1.5 GL1973 · 99 hp · B1 1.6 GT1975 · 108 hp · B1 1.6 GTE1979 · 108 hp · B2 1.6 GLE1981 · 113 hp · B2 1.9 CD1982 · 134 hp · B2 quattro 5E1990 · 135 hp · B3 2.0 16V1991 · 172 hp · B4 2.8 E V61993 · 227 hp · B4 S2 sedan and Avant1994 · 311 hp · RS2 Avant 311 hp RS2 Avant 54 hp B1 1.3 base
12345678
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197254B1 1.3 base
197274B1 1.5 LS
197284B1 1.5 GL
197399B1 1.6 GT
1975108B1 1.6 GTE
1979108B2 1.6 GLE
1981113B2 1.9 CD
1982134B2 quattro 5E
1990135B3 2.0 16V
1991172B4 2.8 E V6
1993227B4 S2 sedan and Avant
1994311RS2 Avant

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    B2 80 L / GL / GLE / CD / LC / SC / Formel E

  • B4 80 sedan / Avant / Europa

    Standard

    B4 80 sedan / Avant / Europa

    1991–1995

  • Standard

    Fox Station Wagon / export Avant

  • Performance

    80 GT

    1973–1975

    99 hp
  • 80 GTE

    Performance

    80 GTE

    1975–1978

    108 hp
  • 4000 5+5 / 4000S / CS quattro

    Standard

    4000 5+5 / 4000S / CS quattro

  • Performance

    90 quattro (1991)

    1991

    164 hp

  • Special

    B3 Young / Trend / Comfort / Sport / 10 Jahre Quattro

  • RS2 Avant

    Performance

    RS2 Avant

    1994–1995

    311 hp

    2,891 built

  • S2 sedan / Avant (B4)

    Performance

    S2 sedan / Avant (B4)

    1993–1995

    227 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early B1: low beltline, big glasshouse and round headlights; GL/GT use paired lamps.23
  • B2 four-doors have a distinctive triangular rear side window; two-doors use larger rear side glass.9
  • B3: rounded sedan body, flush door handles and gently curved side glass.5
  • B4: hood-mounted grille, body-colored bumpers, fuller wheelarches and a longer trunk than the B3.6
  • Early US 4000s pair four sealed-beam headlights with US-mandated crash bumpers.2

Year by year

  1. 1975

    C-pillar ventilation slots disappear, while black plastic caps appear at the bumper corners.3

  2. 1976

    The B1 switches to large rectangular headlights, bringing its nose closer to the Audi 100.1

  3. 1977 (US Fox)

    A large black grille and paired round headlights distinguish the facelift; other markets' wraparound turn signals are absent.2

  4. August 1984

    Wider bumpers and side trim accompany a slanted grille and headlights; bigger split taillights extend onto the trunk lid.4

  5. 1986 (B3)

    The B3 brings a rounded four-door body, flush glazing and recessed door handles.5

  6. 1991 (B4)

    The grille joins the hood and wheelarches grow; standard wheels increase from the B3's 14 inches to 15.6

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi 80
    80
    Photo of a Volkswagen Passat (B1)
    Volkswagen Passat (B1)

    Volkswagen Passat (B1)

    The 80 sedan has a separate trunk; the Passat has a sloping hatch. Export Audi wagons use Audi front panels on the related wagon body.23

  • Photo of a Audi 80
    80
    Photo of a Audi 90 (1984–1986)
    Audi 90 (1984–1986)

    Audi 90 (1984–1986)

    Broader headlights, bulkier bumpers and sill covers mark the 90; a continuous light panel spans the trunk lid.414

Against its rivals

  • Alfasud Ti

    80 vs Alfasud Ti

    Power

    80100 hp
    Alfasud Ti68 hp
    10
  • Audi 100 CD

    80 vs Audi 100 CD

    Top speed

    80187 km/h
    Audi 100 CD199 km/h
    2

  • 80 vs BMW 525i (1991)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    808.2 s
    BMW 525i (1991)9.6 s
    11

  • 80 vs Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 (1991)

    Price as tested lower is better

    80$32,735
    Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 (1991)$37,392
    11

Prices

Price when newAuction salePrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 19901995200020052010201520202025 1991 · $28,935 · US base, 90 quattro1991 · $32,735 · US as-tested, 90 quattro 2022 · $12,000 · 1974 Fox Sedan 4-Speed, 63k miles shown, BaT2024 · $6,550 · 1981 4000 5+5, 63k miles shown, BaT2024 · $23,750 · 1984 4000S Quattro, 54k miles shown, BaT2025 · $350 · 1977 Fox project, 77k miles shown, BaT2025 · $14,500 · 1980 4000 2-Door, 22k miles, BaT2025 · $100,000 · 1995 RS2 Avant, 85k km shown, BaT2026 · $5,850 · 1991 90 2.3E, 90k km shown, BaT $100.0K BaT, 2025
1122232425262728
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1991Price when new$28,935US base, 90 quattro
1991Price when new$32,735US as-tested, 90 quattro
2022Auction sale$12,0001974 Fox Sedan 4-Speed, 63k miles shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$6,5501981 4000 5+5, 63k miles shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$23,7501984 4000S Quattro, 54k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$3501977 Fox project, 77k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$14,5001980 4000 2-Door, 22k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$100,0001995 RS2 Avant, 85k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,8501991 90 2.3E, 90k km 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 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “A 1973 trophy and Audi's first million-seller”
    • “262 km/h with room for the family”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 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 28 sources
  1. Audi captures the zeitgeist with this car: first Audi 80 unveiled 50 years ago | audi.com audi.com
  2. Audi 80 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Audi 80 B1 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  4. Audi 80 B2 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  5. Audi 80 B3 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  6. Audi 80 B4 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  7. A day with the record-breaking Audi Avant - Porsche Newsroom AUS newsroom.porsche.com
  8. Audi S2 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  9. Audi 80 | 80 quattro | B2 (Typ 81/85): Modelle, Daten & Farben puresunday.de
  10. 1975 Audi 80 GT review: Retro Road Test retromotor.co.uk
  11. Fast-Lane Foreigners: 1991 Sports Sedan Comparison caranddriver.com
  12. Audi 80 B3 – Audi-80-Wiki audi-80-wiki.de
  13. Audi 80 Quattro Competition – Audi-80-Wiki audi-80-wiki.de
  14. Audi B2 Kaufberatung: Rost, Schwachstellen & Tipps puresunday.de
  15. DKW F102 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Audi F103 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. quattro on the racetrack | audi.com audi.com
  18. IGCD.net: Vehicles/Cars list for Top Drives igcd.net
  19. Buying Guide: Audi 80 lancasterinsurance.co.uk
  20. használt autó Audi 80 B3 1986-1991 - Vezess vezess.hu
  21. Audi 80 B4 – Audi-80-Wiki audi-80-wiki.de
  22. No Reserve: 1981 Audi 4000 5+5 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,550 on October 18, 2024 (Lot #167,234) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  23. No Reserve: 1977 Audi Fox Sedan Project for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $350 on November 16, 2025 (Lot #219,958) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. No Reserve: Japanese-Market 1991 Audi 90 2.3E for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,850 on May 12, 2026 (Lot #242,221) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. No Reserve: 22k-Mile 1980 Audi 4000 2-Door for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,500 on December 5, 2025 (Lot #222,350) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. 1995 Audi RS2 Avant for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $100,000 on April 25, 2025 (Lot #188,995) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 1984 Audi 4000S Quattro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,750 on May 23, 2024 (Lot #148,059) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: One-Owner 1974 Audi Fox Sedan 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,000 on October 10, 2022 (Lot #86,932) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • audi.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • newsroom.porsche.com
  • puresunday.de
  • retromotor.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • audi-80-wiki.de
  • igcd.net
  • lancasterinsurance.co.uk
  • vezess.hu
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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