AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Audi 50: first German city car celebrates half a century

Virgilio Machado by Virgilio Machado
April 8, 2024
in Latest News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Audi 50: primeiro automóvel citadino alemão comemora meio século

 Audi is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first city car by a German manufacturer, the Audi 50, which was released in 1974, shortly after the start of the 1973 oil crisis.

Economical, low fuel consumption, and pioneering design: front-wheel drive with a transverse engine, two-door hatchback body with a large trunk and fold-down rear seat, compact exterior dimensions, and attractive driving characteristics.

The Audi 50 was born to be modern and versatile and complement the range of models of the Audi 80 and Audi 100. Already in 1970, engineers from Audi NSU Auto Union AG started working on the project, led by Technical Director Ludwig Kraus, looking for a successor to the small and robust NSU, whose production was about to end.

The key to success was the transverse engine placement. This allowed Ingolstadt engineers to create a car with a relatively large interior, despite its total length of 3.49 meters.

Two versions of the “mini Audi” were launched, weighing only 685 kilograms: the Audi 50 LS with 50 hp and the Audi 50 GL with 60 hp, both with 1.1-liter engines. The Audi 50 LS had a top speed of 142 km/h, while the Audi 50 GL reached 152 km/h. The 50 hp version used regular gasoline, but the more powerful 60 hp version required premium gasoline.

In 1977, this latter variant was replaced by a newly developed 1300 cc engine, which ran on regular gasoline. The design responsibility of the Audi 50 was entrusted to Hartmut Warkuß, who had already designed the Audi 80: Warkuß created a delicate and timeless shape around the structure built by Ludwig Kraus.

The Ingolstadt team presented the Audi 50 to the international press in Sardinia in the summer of 1974. It first arrived at dealerships on October 26. The “mini Audi” was initially planned and developed in Neckarsulm and later in the technical development of Ingolstadt, and was built at the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg.

Until March 31, 1975, 43,002 units of the Audi 50 had rolled off the assembly lines in Wolfsburg, when production of the VW Polo, structurally similar, also began. Production of the Audi 50 ceased in the summer of 1978, with a total of 180,828 units being manufactured.

From then on, Audi focused on medium and high-end cars. Although the Audi 50 was only marketed for a few years, it established the small car segment in the Volkswagen Group; subsequently, millions of VW Polo cars were produced throughout its various generations.

Tags: AudiAudi 50Audi 50 GLAudi 50 LSAudi 80Audi NSUcitadinoInglostadLudwing Kraus
Share229Tweet143Send

Related Posts

Denza Z9 já tem plataforma de drone
Latest News

“Denza Z9 already has a drone platform.”

BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles, has now announced the start of deliveries of drone stations for...

by Virgilio Machado
June 6, 2025
Renault mostra primeiras imagens do 4 E-Tech Eletric antes da estreia
Latest News

Renault Group completes acquisition of a stake in Wandercraft.

The Renault Group announced on Friday the completion of the acquisition of a minority stake in Wandercraft, a French company...

by Virgilio Machado
June 6, 2025
Elon Musk ignites political firestorm, threatens new party amid Tesla’s $150B market plunge
Latest News

Elon Musk ignites political firestorm, threatens new party amid Tesla’s $150B market plunge

Elon Musk's dramatic fallout with President Donald Trump has ignited a political and financial firestorm, sending shockwaves through markets and...

by Carl Harrison
June 6, 2025
The Final Flame: BMW Z4 M40i Battles EV Siege With Surprise Lifeline in the US
Latest News

The Final Flame: BMW Z4 M40i Battles EV Siege With Surprise Lifeline in the US

As the auto world barrels toward an electrified future, one embattled combustion hero has earned a shock stay of execution....

by Carl Harrison
June 6, 2025

Recent News

Charles Leclerc sparks Ferrari revolution demanding “freaking good upgrade” in 2025 Formula 1

Charles Leclerc sparks Ferrari revolution demanding “freaking good upgrade” in 2025 Formula 1

June 6, 2025
Lance Stroll’s Epic Return: Aston Martin’s F1 Star Set for Canadian Grand Prix

Lance Stroll’s Epic Return: Aston Martin’s F1 Star Set for Canadian Grand Prix

June 6, 2025
Cyril Abiteboul sparks WRC 2026 entry hopes amid 2027 uncertainty at Hyundai

Cyril Abiteboul sparks WRC 2026 entry hopes amid 2027 uncertainty at Hyundai

June 6, 2025
Ferrari Races Lighter and Mightier at Le Mans 24 Hours Showdown

Ferrari Races Lighter and Mightier at Le Mans 24 Hours Showdown

June 6, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks