Audi 100 GL Saloon (1972)

Audi 100 GL Saloon

Development of what was to become the Audi 100 actually started in secret in the mid-1960s, after Volkswagen AG took ownership of Auto Union GmbH, of which Audi was a constituent brand, and set about limiting the company's activities solely to the development of Volkswagen models.

Ludwig Kraus, Auto Union's Technical Director, believed he could keep the marque afloat by introducing a new model to compete in the executive class, so he created the Audi 100 behind closed doors. During a routine visit by Volkswagen management to the Ingolstadt plant, he took advantage of an opportune moment to present his brainchild, and the rest is history. Production of the 100 was cleared for take-off in Ingolstadt, which at that point was being used exclusively for production of the VW Beetle, before being moved to Neckarsulm in 1970.

Technical information

• Cylinders: four in-line
• Displacement: 1871cc
• Power: 112PS @ 5500rpm
• Torque: 159Nm @ 4000rpm
• Max speed: 115mph
• 0-62mph: 10.0 secs
• Transmission: four-speed manual
• front-wheel drive
• Weight: 1045kg