Spotted: a 1974 Audi 80
The 80 perhaps laid the foundation for what the brand is today. Among other things, the first RS models, not to mention the legendary Quattro, were based on the 80 line. Audi also definitively established itself in the upper middle class with the popular 80 models. In the Netherlands, the model also sold well and you can still see the last two model generations popping up with some regularity. The early models, on the other hand…
The spotted specimen
In Zeist, we saw this 1974 Audi 80 LS. The car has been in the Netherlands since 2019. We suspect that the Audi was originally delivered in Sweden. After all, on the rear window it says ‘Audi 80 – Teknikst nytänkande’. If we did our homework correctly, that’s Swedish for ‘Audi 80 – Technical Innovation’. Or the Swedish version of ‘ahead of the curve through technology’.
The Audi 80
With this model began this successful chapter of the brand. This first generation 80 entered the market in 1972, as the successor to the now somewhat forgotten Audi F103. Incidentally, the second most powerful engine variant of the F103 was already sold under the name “Audi 80. The new 80 was a somewhat more luxurious alternative to the Volkswagen Passat and competed against models such as the Alfa Romeo Alfetta, Opel Ascona, Ford Taunus and Triumph Dolomite. Incidentally, the Audi was still largely identical to the Passat (although the Passat was not available as a sedan). A clear visual distinction between the two brands and a truly higher market positioning for Audi would only follow later.
Incidentally, the 80 was only the second Audi model developed under the direction of new brand owner Volkswagen. The previous F103 still made extensive use of Auto Union and DKW parts and even had an engine from Mercedes-Benz. The new 80 received new 1.3- and 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines with power ratings from 40 to 63 kW (54 to 86 hp). In 1973, the GT appeared with a 74 kW (101 hp) engine. Together with a modern chassis, the Audi made quite an impression: it was named the 1973 European Car of the Year.
Facelift for Audi 80
At first there was only a choice of a two- and four-door sedan, but that changed with the 1976 facelift. Along with a revamped front end – inspired by the recently introduced Audi 100 – a five-door station wagon was also presented: the Avant. Also new was a 1.6-liter engine that replaced the 1.5. The new top model was the 81 kW (110 kW) strong GTE.
Succession for the Audi 80
In 1978, another new model generation was ready. This is the model that would eventually form the basis for the Coupe and eventually the legendary Quattro. As a model line, the 80 would last through 1996, although redemption was ready as early as 1994 in the form of the Audi A4. That model line still exists today, although it is about to be given a slightly different interpretation as a result of Audi’s new model naming strategy.