Ingolstadt is in a festive mood today as it marks the 40th anniversary since the original introduction of the five-cylinder engine. It made its debut in the second-generation Audi 100 back in 1976 and was based on the VW Group’s EA 827 engine concept. Audi wanted to move the new model upmarket and decided that a five- or a six-cylinder inline engine would be more appropriate than a four-cylinder unit. Due to weight distribution concerns and space limitations, the company’s engineers did not to pursue the development of the six-cylinder unit and focused instead on the inline-five.
The fuel-injected engine with a displacement of 2.1 liters developed 136 horsepower (110 kilowatts) at 5,700 rpm and a peak torque of 136 pound-feet (185 Newton-meters) at 4,200 rpm. A carbureted variant was launched in April 1978 with a 1.9-liter displacement and an output rated at 115 hp (85 kW) at 5,400 rpm and 113 lb-ft (154 Nm) at 3,700 rpm.
Also in 1978, Audi premiered a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter diesel for the 100 (C2) where it produced 70 hp (51 kW) and 90 lb-ft (123 Nm). The motor went on to receive a turbocharger in 1984 lifting output to 87 hp (64 kW) and 126 lb-ft (172 Nm).
Getting back to the five-cylinder gasoline engine, it gained a turbocharger in 1979 which allowed the Audi 200 5T to provide 170 hp (125 kW) and 195 lb-ft (265 Nm) of torque. Engineers continued to work on the engine and installed an intercooler bumping power to 200 hp (147 kW) and 210 lb-ft (285 Nm) in the famous quattro model unveiled at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show. In rally specification for Group B, the 2.1-liter engine produced 360 hp (265 kW) and 331 lb-ft (450 Nm), enough to enable Finn Hannu Mikkola win the drivers’ title that year, with Stig Blomqvist repeating the performance next season.
The Audi Sport quattro (B2) was introduced in September 1983 at the Frankfurt Motor Show with a four-valve, 2.1-liter engine generating a respectable 306 hp (225 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm). Only 214 units were ever produced of the special model, necessary to meet homologation requirements for rallying.
A 2.3-liter unit was launched in 1984 and it was the first five-cylinder engine to receive as standard a catalytic converter and a fully electronic map-controlled ignition system. It developed 136 hp (100 kW) and 138 lb-ft (188 Nm) of torque, but in some models it was slightly less powerful, at 133 hp (98 kW) and 137 lb-ft (186 Nm).
Driving an Audi Sport quattro S1 equipped with a 598-hp 2.1-liter engine, Walter Röhrl managed to take the win at the 1987 Pikes Peak Hill Climb after a run in 10 minutes and 47.85 seconds.
1988 saw the launch of a five-cylinder gasoline unit fitted with four-valve technology, two catalytic convertors, a diagnostic system, and a closed tank venting system. Launched originally in the Audi 200 quattro 20V (C3), the mill had a 2.2-liter displacement and delivered 220 hp (162 kW) and 227 lb-ft (309 Nm).
For the 1989 IMSA GTO series, the Audi 90 quattro received the world’s most powerful five-cylinder works engine with a massive output of 720 hp (530 kW) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm).
The very same year, the company’s road-going division unveiled the Audi 100 TDI with the first turbocharged five-cylinder diesel featuring direct injection. The 2.5-liter unit produced 120 hp (88 kW) and 195 lb-ft (265 Nm), being upgraded from 1994 to 140 hp (103 kW) and 213 lb-ft (290 Nm).
Work continued and in 1991 the legendary S4 came out with a 20-valve, 2.2-liter turbo inline-five generating 230 hp (169 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm). Three years later, Audi launched the mighty Avant RS2 (B4) packing a 2.2-liter turbo with 315 hp (232 kW) and 302 lb-ft (410 Nm) of torque.
Fast forward to 2009, Audi took the wraps off a brand new 2.5-liter turbo for the TT RS which offered a meaty 340 hp (250 kW) and 331 lb-ft (450 Nm). Engineers tweaked the engine and managed to extract 360 hp (265 kW) and 342 lb-ft (465 Nm) for the TT RS plus launched in 2012. Three years later, the second-gen RS3 Sportback was launched with an evolution of the 2.5 TFSI packing a 367 hp / 270 kW & 342 lb-ft / 465 Nm punch.
In its latest installment, the turbocharged five-cylinder gasoline engine pumps out a massive 400 hp (294 kW) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) in the recently introduced TT RS Coupe & Roadster. The RS3 Sportback facelift will likely receive the updated engine as well in the months to come and will be joined by the U.S.-bound RS3 Sedan.
Source: Audi
Gallery: Audi celebrates 40 years of five-cylinder engines
40 years of Audi five-cylinder engines
- Five-cylinder engine delivering 136 hp presented for the first time in 1976 in the Audi 100
- Successful engine concept for series production and rallying
- 2.5 TFSI voted “Engine of the Year” seven times in a row since 2010
40 years ago, Audi presented the first five-cylinder gasoline engine in the second-generation Audi 100. Enhancements and new developments followed, with turbocharging, emissions control and four-valve technology, rally engines and five-cylinder diesel units. Today, the 2.5 TFSI in the Audi RS 3 Sportback* and in the Audi TT RS* carries on the great tradition of five-cylinder powerplants.
The five-cylinder engines from Audi have achieved cult status – partly due to their successful deployment in motorsport and also on account of their reliability and economy. They have played a vital role in defining Vorsprung durch Technik and to this day provide an emotional driving experience with their characteristic sound.
The first five-cylinder gasoline engine powered the Audi 100 (C2) in 1976. The model, known internally as Type 43, was to be positioned higher than its predecessor in the market. The four-cylinder engines at the time were not suitable for this plan according to the developers. At the beginning of the 1970s, Audi engineers consequently discussed the possibility of introducing five and six-cylinder inline engines. The latter were ruled out due to the installation space required and unfavorable weight distribution. So those responsible opted for the five-cylinder inline engine, based on the new EA 827 engine concept. This four-cylinder inline engine was used throughout the VW Group in the 1970s – in the Audi 80 and Audi 100, for instance. The derived 2.1-liter five-cylinder engine produced 100 kW (136 hp). A modern injection system increased efficiency and power development. Delivery of the Audi 100 5E began in March 1977.
As early as 1978, Audi presented the first diesel version: a naturally aspirated diesel with a displacement of two liters and producing 51 kW (70 hp). One year later, the first turbocharged five-cylinder gasoline engine made its debut – another pioneering feat from Audi. With an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and 265 newton meters (195.45 lb-ft) of torque, it powered the new top model, the Audi 200 5T.
The five-cylinder gasoline engine in the 1980 Audi “Ur-quattro” had even more to offer. With turbocharging, an intercooler and permanent four-wheel drive, it constituted a powerful technical package for the racetrack and the road. Initially, it delivered 147 kW (200 hp). In 1983, the Finn Hannu Mikkola won the drivers’ title in the World Rally Championship in this car. In the same year, Audi introduced the wide-track Sport quattro, which was 24 centimeters (9.45 inches) shorter. It was powered by a newly developed four-valve five-cylinder unit made of aluminum with an output of 225 kW (306 hp). It made the Sport quattro the most powerful car built to date by a German company for use on public roads. The model formed the basis for a new Group B rally car, with the four-valve powerplant delivering 331 kW (450 hp) from the very start. It was used for the first time in the penultimate race of 1984, the Ivory Coast rally. The other eleven rounds of the season were contested by the Swede Stig Blomqvist in the Group B Audi quattro A2 producing 265 kW (360 hp). In the end, he won the drivers’ title and Audi took the manufacturers’ title.
Even after Audi withdrew from rallying in 1986 there were other racing highlights: in 1987, Walter Röhrl won the Pikes Peak Hill Climb (USA) in the Audi Sport quattro S1 (E2). The racing car developed 440 kW (598 hp). And the IMSA GTO excelled on the US touring car scene in 1989, delivering 530 kW (720 hp) – from little more than two liters of displacement.
Audi presented another milestone in automotive history at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main in 1989: the Audi 100 TDI. It was the first production car with a five-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged diesel engine and fully electronic control. The powerplant generated 88 kW (120 hp) from a displacement of 2.5 liters. Audi continued to refine its range of five-cylinder gasoline engines. In 1994, the Audi RS 2 with an output of 232 kW (315 hp) came on to the market. As an Avant with the power of a sports car, it established a new automotive class.
1994 saw the five-cylinder units bow out of the B segment, when the Audi A4 (B5) was introduced. They were gradually replaced in the mid-1990s by the new V6 engines. The last five-cylinder engines, the 2.5 TDI in the Audi A6 and the 2.3 Turbo in the Audi S6, were phased out in 1997.
Then in 2009 there was a big comeback – with turbocharging and gasoline direct injection in the Audi TT RS. The transverse-mounted engine developed by quattro GmbH produced 250 kW (340 hp) from a displacement of 2.5 liters. It also offered outstanding performance in the RS 3 Sportback and in the RS Q3. The TT RS plus, which Audi presented in 2012, mustered up an impressive 265 kW (360 hp). Today, the 2.5 TFSI in the Audi TT RS produces 294 kW (400 hp). An international jury of motoring journalists has voted the five-cylinder powerplant “Engine of the Year” seven times in a row since 2010.
Those who would like to see the first Audi with a five-cylinder engine can currently do so at the Audi Forum in Neckarsulm. The classic car exhibition entitled “From zero to 100” features numerous exhibits, which Audi uses to look back at the eventful history of its successful model. One of the first five-cylinder TDI units from a 1989 Audi 100 is also on display. The exhibition runs until November 6, 2016.