AUDI 80 · photos, packages and modifications

Audi sold its luxury entry level car the Audi 80 between the years 1966 and 1995.The model was continually produced and the model name of 80 was given to numerous different cars in these years. However the original form of 80 was the Volkswagen Passat version of Audi which besides sharing several components with each other also shared a mutual parent company.

Also the 80 model was a fraction of F104 series which saw a discontinuation in its production in 1969 and by 1972 there was not a single car seen belonging to the F103 range. In the year 1972, a brand new 80 was launched based on Volkswagen's B1 platform. The A80 was made available with many inline gasoline four cylinder engines during 1972 and 1978 further on the trims of the "l", "s" and "GL" line were also made available. Further on near the mid 1970's Audi went ahead to introduce the 80 Avant based on Volkswagen Passat Wagon however with a larger percentage of Audi's own designing included.

The B1 platform was again aborted to be taken over by the B2 platform in 1978. Models of the 80 being produced on the new platform were a slight wide and long compared to previous models. Also with the new platform the 80 was also featured for the first time with a diesel engine. The same B2 based models of Audi were also made available with the famous Audi trademarked Quattro four wheel drive system. By the year 1983, Audi introduced a sport brand under the A80 title which racing stripes, rear spoiler and alloy racing wheels. The model was exclusively designed for Britain only. !986 saw Audi introduce a yet another platform, the B3 which was now to serve the 80 models. The basic changes in the two platforms this time was not of size but body panels of zinc coating that were rust resistant and new aerodynamic modes of style. Among the new line up of engines Audi introduced was the inclusion of turbo diesel engine.

In 1992, the B3 platform was further enhanced and renamed as the B4. Audi 80 models made on this new platform were longer than the B3 ones and underwent a further stylish design makeover as Audi by now was aiming to target the European market share of its major competitors the BMW and Mercedes. This This European centered A80 model was radically different from the ones available in the United States. The new Federal Safety Legislation required automaker to add bumpers that were crash absorbing and also asked to necessitate a scheme of redesigning the headlights. The European models were made available offering five cylinder inline engine and a couple of V6 engine options which provided a horsepower of up to 172. The five cylinder turbocharged cylinder engine were among the options available as well and reached at providing a horsepower of 311.

The 80 B4 based models were sold till 1995 and among the last models of special edition was the "Europa" which included several selections including exclusive body color, options for power interior such as windows and mirrors, power sunroof and alloy wheels. By the mid of 1990 the B4 platform was also phased out and the nameplate of 80 was dropped. The A80market segments will be filled by the new Audi models of A4, A5 and Audi TT.