Segment: Medium Premium
Production years: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
After Audi successfully convinced Volkswagen's management that it deserved a better chance in life than just being used as a production facility for the Beetle, the carmaker improved its lineup and introduced the second generation of the 100 lineup in 1976.
In the mid-'70s, there were two main Premium brands in Germany: BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Opel still struggled to get a slice of the pie, while Audi was considered just a nicer Volkswagen.
From the design point of view, it was a squared-looking vehicle where the form followed the function. Its rectangular headlights were easy to fit into the flat front fascia, while the front bumper didn't have the same chromed look as on other vehicles. All of a sudden, customers started to appreciate them more than the regular chromed-covered bumpers. It still featured shiny trims around the windows and on the car's sides, but they were not that bold. Another important design element was the third row of windows behind the rear doors, which brought more light to those seated in the back. That was a feature that neither BMW nor Mercedes-Benz didn't offer.
Inside, thanks to the front-wheel drive system, the car offered enough legroom for the front passengers and a flat floor. Moreover, the rear bench could comfortably accommodate three occupants. The clean, minimalist dashboard design offered a panoramic view for passengers and a squared instrument cluster for the driver. On the center stack, the carmaker installed a radio and ventilation controls.
Under the hood, there was a fuel-efficient 1.6-liter engine. The efficiency scale also counted a choice of two-liter diesel units. The most potent version was appreciated, with the 136 ponies squeezed from a fuel-injected 2.1-liter inline-five.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 4MT RWD (85 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1588 cm3 |
Power: | 63 KW @ 5600 RPM 86 HP @ 5600 RPM 84 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 124 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM 168 Nm @ 3400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99 mph (159 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2447.2 lbs (1110 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3461.3 lbs (1570 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18.7 mpg US (12.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.5 mpg US (9.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 228 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.1L 3AT RWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2144 cm3 |
Power: | 85 KW @ 5400 RPM 116 HP @ 5400 RPM 114 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 125 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM 170 Nm @ 3400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 107 mph (172 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 3-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2579 lbs (1170 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3594 lbs (1630 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.9 mpg US (14.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 235.2 mpg US (1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 20.5 mpg US (11.5 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.1L 4MT RWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2144 cm3 |
Power: | 85 KW @ 5400 RPM 116 HP @ 5400 RPM 114 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 125 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM 170 Nm @ 3400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 109.4 mph (176 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2579.4 lbs (1170 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3593.5 lbs (1630 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.9 mpg US (14.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 23.5 mpg US (10 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 20.8 mpg US (11.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 269 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.1L 4MT RWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2144 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5700 RPM 136 HP @ 5700 RPM 134 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 137 lb-ft @ 4800 RPM 185 Nm @ 4800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2579 lbs (1170 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3594 lbs (1630 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 16.2 mpg US (14.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 22.6 mpg US (10.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.4 mpg US (11 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 247 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.1L 5MT RWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2144 cm3 |
Power: | 85 KW @ 5400 RPM 116 HP @ 5400 RPM 114 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 125 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM 170 Nm @ 3400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 109 mph (175 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2579 lbs (1170 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3594 lbs (1630 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.9 mpg US (14.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.8 mpg US (10.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 253 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L D 3AT RWD (70 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 1986 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 4800 RPM 69 HP @ 4800 RPM 68 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 90 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM 122 Nm @ 2800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 20.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 3-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2734 lbs (1240 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3682 lbs (1670 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 28.3 mpg US (8.3 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L D 4MT RWD (70 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 1986 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 4800 RPM 69 HP @ 4800 RPM 68 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 90 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM 122 Nm @ 2800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 93 mph (150 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 18.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2667.6 lbs (1210 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3681.7 lbs (1670 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 204 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L D 5MT RWD (70 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 1986 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 4800 RPM 69 HP @ 4800 RPM 68 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 90 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM 122 Nm @ 2800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 93 mph (150 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 18.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 165SR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 184.3 in (4681 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.8/56.7 in (1,468/1,440 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 22.7 cuFT (643 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2668 lbs (1210 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3682 lbs (1670 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.9 mpg US (7.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |