1976 AUDI 100 (C2) 2.1L 4MT RWD (136 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After Audi successfully convinced Volkswagen’s management that it deserved a better chance in life than just being used as a production facility for the Beetle, the carmaker improved its lineup and introduced the second generation of the 100 lineup in 1976.

In the mid-’70s, there were two main Premium brands in Germany: BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Opel still struggled to get a slice of the pie, while Audi was considered just a nicer Volkswagen.

From the design point of view, it was a squared-looking vehicle where the form followed the function. Its rectangular headlights were easy to fit into the flat front fascia, while the front bumper didn’t have the same chromed look as on other vehicles. All of a sudden, customers started to appreciate them more than the regular chromed-covered bumpers. It still featured shiny trims around the windows and on the car’s sides, but they were not that bold. Another important design element was the third row of windows behind the rear doors, which brought more light to those seated in the back. That was a feature that neither BMW nor Mercedes-Benz didn’t offer.

Inside, thanks to the front-wheel drive system, the car offered enough legroom for the front passengers and a flat floor. Moreover, the rear bench could comfortably accommodate three occupants. The clean, minimalist dashboard design offered a panoramic view for passengers and a squared instrument cluster for the driver. On the center stack, the carmaker installed a radio and ventilation controls.

Under the hood, there was a fuel-efficient 1.6-liter engine. The efficiency scale also counted a choice of two-liter diesel units. The most potent version was appreciated, with the 136 ponies squeezed from a fuel-injected 2.1-liter inline-five.