Audi celebrates half a century of a unique powertrain.
The five-cylinder engine, which was previously more prevalent in the automotive industry, is now a rare gem, with Audi being one of the few manufacturers dedicated to preserving it today. Audi’s compact performance car, the RS 3, brandishes the legendary 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine from Audi under its hood, delivering compelling performance and a unique sound experience. First introduced in 1976, the first five-cylinder Audi model was the second-generation Audi 100. Nearly 50 years later, the Audi RS 3 still uses the five-cylinder engine to create a thrilling and unique performance car sensation.
However, nearly five decades of rich legacy and automotive heritage exist in between for Audi’s five-cylinder engine, and Audi is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its unique powertrain. The five-cylinder engine is responsible for a number of Audi legends, like the 1980 Audi quattro that would go on to write chapters of rally racing history, the Sport quattro that would carry that legacy even further with its Pikes Peak record, the Audi Avant RS2, the TT RS, and previous generations of Audi’s RS 3.
The unique 1-2-4-5-3 firing sequence means that Audi’s five-cylinder engine has a unique and unmistakable exhaust note that has chronicled its decades of history and colored the engine’s rich heritage. Hand-built in Audi’s Győr, Hungary plant at the Bock assembly, the engine is a groundbreaking and historic powertrain with unique character, compelling power, and a cherished legacy. As Audi celebrates its 50th anniversary, its five-cylinder engine continues to make automotive history.
Image Source: Audi
