Audi 100

Audi 100: which version to buy and why

If the question is which Audi 100 to take, the measured answers sit at opposite ends of the same nameplate. The 4 generation (1990–1994) 2.2 MT at 230 hp is the fastest car in this catalogue: 6.8 s to 100 km/h and 244 km/h, 7.17 kg per horsepower at 1650 kg kerb, 103.3 hp per litre from 2226 cm³.

If the question is which Audi 100 to take, the measured answers sit at opposite ends of the same nameplate. The 4 generation (1990–1994) 2.2 MT at 230 hp is the fastest car in this catalogue: 6.8 s to 100 km/h and 244 km/h, 7.17 kg per horsepower at 1650 kg kerb, 103.3 hp per litre from 2226 cm³. The lightest measured car is the 3 generation (1982–1987) 1.8 MT at 75 hp: 1059 kg, 14.12 kg/hp, 14.9 s to 100 km/h. The lowest measured mixed consumption is the 3 generation, restyling (1988–1991) 1.8 MT at 90 hp: 7.1 L/100 km. Everything else is a trade of kilograms, seconds, litres, and drive type against those three poles. Prices are not measured in this dataset, so “what you pay extra for” here means extra mass, extra fuel, extra seconds — not money.

Generations compared: what changed in the numbers

Five generations are in the file: 1 generation (1968–1976, Coupe), 2 generation (1976–1983, Sedan), 3 generation (1982–1987, Sedan), 3 generation, restyling (1988–1991, Sedan), 4 generation (1990–1994, Sedan). Overlap 1982–1983 (2 generation and 3 generation) and 1990–1991 (restyling and 4 generation) is in the dates; the bodies and the power bands are not the same.

Peak measured power by generation: 1 generation 1.9 MT 116 hp; 2 generation 2.1 MT 136 hp; 3 generation 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 112 hp in this extract; 3 generation, restyling 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT 165 hp; 4 generation 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT 230 hp. From 116 hp to 230 hp is +114 hp, almost a doubling of the 1 generation peak. Specific output at those peaks: 60.4 hp/L (116 hp / 1.921 L), 63.4 hp/L (136 / 2.144), 56.5 hp/L (112 / 1.984), 74.1 hp/L (165 / 2.226), 103.3 hp/L (230 / 2.226). The 4 generation turbo 2.2 is 29.2 hp/L above the restyling turbo 2.2 on the same 2226 cm³.

Kerb weight where measured rose with the later sedan. 3 generation 1.8 MT 75 hp: 1059 kg. 2 generation 1.6 MT 85 hp: 1110 kg. 3 generation, restyling 1.8 MT 88 hp: 1080 kg. 4 generation 2.0 MT 101 hp: 1310 kg. 4 generation 2.2 MT 230 hp: 1650 kg — 591 kg above the 75 hp 1.8, 340 kg above the 101 hp 2.0. Ground clearance is 133 mm on 1 generation Coupe and on several 1.8 / 2.0 rows of 2 and 3 generation; 130 mm on most later sedans; 78 mm on 4 generation 2.2 AT 230 hp and 2.2 MT 230 hp — 52 mm lower than the 130 mm 2.0/2.3 cars of the same generation.

Rear suspension in the data: 1 generation and 2 generation use Dependent, spring at the rear; 3 generation, restyling and 4 generation use Independent, spring at both ends. That is a generation-level chassis change in the labels, not a guess about ride.

Declared modification counts in the source (50 / 37 / 52 / 18 / 9) are larger than the version lists supplied here (12 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 9). This article names every version that is actually listed.

Engines and specs

Exact names below are the catalogue keys. Same name, different power: keep both.

4 generation (1990–1994), Sedan. Front, longitudinal. Independent, spring front and rear. Tank 80 L. Fuel 95 except the 2.2 turbo rows (98). Boost No except 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT (Turbo).

On 1984 cm³, 101 → 115 → 137 hp is +14 then +22 hp. The 137 hp pair uses 4 valves per cylinder; the 101 and 115 hp 2.0 rows use 2. Compression on 2.0 AT 115 hp is 10.3; on both 137 hp 2.0 rows 10.8; bore × stroke 82.5 × 92.8 where measured. The 2.2 turbo pair: 9.3 compression, 81 × 86.4, 350 Nm at 1950 rpm versus 181 Nm at 4500 rpm on the 137 hp 2.0 — torque arrives 2550 rpm earlier and is 169 Nm higher.

3 generation, restyling (1988–1991), Sedan. Tank 80 L. Fuel 92 on gasoline, Diesel on the three diesel rows.

3 generation (1982–1987), Sedan. Tank 80 L.

The two 1.9 AT 100 hp rows differ by gearbox: Automatic 3 versus Automatic 4. 0–100 is 12.4 s versus 12.2 s; top speed both 175 km/h.

2 generation (1976–1983), Sedan. Rear: Dependent, spring. Tank not measured.

Two 2.0 MT names: 115 hp Gasoline versus 70 hp Diesel. Two 2.1 MT / 2.1 AT names: 115 hp versus 136 hp.

1 generation (1968–1976), Coupe. FWD, Manual 4, Gasoline, Boost No. Engine position not measured. Tank, kerb, 0–100, top speed, consumption: not measured on every row.

• 1.9 MT 112 hp (82 kW), 1921 cm³, 4 Inline, fuel 92 — listed twice (rows 1 and 9); valves, Nm, rpm not measured
• 1.9 MT 116 hp (85 kW), 1921 cm³, 4 Inline, fuel 92
• 1.6 MT 85 hp (63 kW), 1595 cm³, 4 Inline, 2 valves, Carburetor, fuel 92
• 1.7 MT 80 hp (59 kW), 1700 cm³, 4 Inline, fuel 80
• 1.7 MT 85 hp (63 kW), 1700 cm³, 4 Inline, fuel 80
• 1.7 MT 90 hp (66 kW), 1700 cm³, 4 Inline, fuel 80
• 1.7 MT 100 hp (74 kW), 1700 cm³, 4 Inline, fuel 80 — listed twice (rows 7 and 8); row 8 has rear suspension not measured and rear brakes not measured

On 1.7 L the steps are 80 / 85 / 90 / 100 hp: +5, +5, +10 hp. Specific output 47.1 / 50.0 / 52.9 / 58.8 hp/L.

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h, fastest measured to slowest among rows that have a figure:

• 4 generation 2.2 MT 230 hp: 6.8 s, 244 km/h
• 3 generation, restyling 2.2 MT 165 hp: 8.0 s, 216 km/h
• 4 generation 2.2 AT 230 hp: 8.3 s, 239 km/h
• 3 generation, restyling 2.2 AT 165 hp: 9.2 s, 212 km/h
• 2 generation 2.1 MT 136 hp: 9.9 s, 188 km/h
• 3 generation, restyling 2.5 MT 120 hp Diesel: 9.9 s, 200 km/h
• 4 generation 2.3 MT 133 hp FWD: 10.2 s, 202 km/h
• 4 generation 2.3 MT 133 hp AWD: 10.4 s, 202 km/h
• 3 generation 2.0 MT 112 hp FWD and 2.0 AT 112 hp: both 10.7 s, 190 km/h
• 3 generation, restyling 2.0 MT 115 hp: 10.7 s, 190 km/h
• 2 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp: 10.7 s, 179 km/h
• 4 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD: 11.0 s, 191 km/h
• 4 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD: 11.4 s, 191 km/h
• 3 generation, restyling 2.0 AT 115 hp: 12.6 s, 186 km/h
• 4 generation 2.0 AT 115 hp: 13.4 s, 188 km/h
• 2 generation 2.0 MT 70 hp Diesel: 18.5 s, 150 km/h
• 3 generation, restyling 2.4 MT 82 hp Diesel: 16.5 s, 166 km/h

Not measured: 4 generation 2.0 MT 137 hp and 2.0 AT 137 hp (0–100, top speed, all three consumption figures); 3 generation 2.0 MT 112 hp AWD (0–100, top speed, consumption, kerb); most 1 generation rows for speed and consumption; several 2 generation automatics.

Manual versus Automatic on the same engine, 4 generation 2.0 115 hp FWD: 2.0 MT 11.0 s and 191 km/h versus 2.0 AT 13.4 s and 188 km/h — +2.4 s, −3 km/h. Mixed 7.8 versus 8.9 L/100 km (+1.1). City 11.1 versus 11.7; highway 6.7 versus 7.0.

Same 230 hp 2.2, Manual versus Automatic: 2.2 MT 6.8 s / 244 km/h versus 2.2 AT 8.3 s / 239 km/h — +1.5 s, −5 km/h. Mixed 9.5 versus 10.3 (+0.8). City 14.6 versus 16.1.

FWD versus AWD, 4 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp: FWD 11.0 s, AWD 11.4 s (+0.4 s), top speed both 191 km/h. Mixed 7.8 versus 8.5 (+0.7). City 11.1 versus 11.9. Kerb 1325 versus 1430 kg (+105 kg).

FWD versus AWD, 4 generation 2.3 MT 133 hp: 10.2 versus 10.4 s (+0.2 s), 202 km/h both. Mixed 8.9 versus 9.9 (+1.0). Kerb 1370 versus 1520 kg (+150 kg).

Diesel spread, restyling: 2.4 MT 82 hp 16.5 s / 166 km/h versus 2.0 MT 100 hp Turbo Diesel 12.3 s / 185 km/h versus 2.5 MT 120 hp Turbo Diesel 9.9 s / 200 km/h. Torque 164 / 192 / 265 Nm. The 2.5 is 38 hp and 101 Nm above the 2.4 on 90 cm³ more (2460 versus 2370) and is the only V-shaped 5 in this list.

Mixed consumption, every measured row: restyling 1.8 MT 90 hp FWD 7.1; 4 generation 2.0 MT 101 hp and 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD both 7.8; 3 generation 1.8 MT 90 hp 7.2; restyling 1.8 AT 90 hp 8.8; 4 generation 2.0 AT 115 hp 8.9; 2.3 MT FWD 8.9; 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD 8.5; 2.3 AT FWD and AWD 9.6; 2.3 MT AWD 9.9; restyling 2.0 AT 115 hp 9.9; 4 generation 2.2 MT 9.5; 2.2 AT 10.3. Highway low: restyling 1.8 MT 90 hp 5.4 L/100 km and 3 generation 1.8 MT 90 hp 5.4. Highway high among measured: 2.2 AT 230 hp 8.5.

Range arithmetic where tank is 80 L and mixed is measured: 1.8 MT 90 hp restyling 80 / 7.1 ≈ 1126 km; 4 generation 2.0 MT 101 hp 80 / 7.8 ≈ 1026 km; 2.2 MT 230 hp 80 / 9.5 ≈ 842 km; 2.2 AT 230 hp 80 / 10.3 ≈ 777 km.

Dimensions and weight

Wheel sizes: not measured on every version in this extract.

Ground clearance: 133 mm (1 generation Coupe; several 1.8 and 2.0 rows in 2 and 3 generation); 130 mm (most 2 / 3 / 4 generation sedans); 78 mm (4 generation 2.2 AT and 2.2 MT 230 hp).

Kerb, lightest to heaviest among measured: 1059 kg (3 generation 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 75 hp); 1080 kg (several 1.8 and 2.0 FWD rows); 1083 kg (1.8 88 hp FWD and 1.9 100 hp); 1110 kg (2 generation 1.6 MT); 1150 kg (2 generation 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 115 hp); 1160 kg (restyling 1.8 MT 90 hp FWD and 1.8 AT); 1170 kg (2 generation 2.1 MT 115 and 136 hp); 1210 kg (2 generation 2.0 MT 70 hp Diesel); 1230 kg (restyling diesels 2.0/2.4 and 2.0 115 hp); 1310 kg (4 generation 2.0 MT 101 hp); 1320 kg (2.5 MT); 1325 kg (4 generation 2.0 115 hp FWD); 1350 kg (restyling 2.2 165 hp); 1370 kg (4 generation 2.3 FWD); 1430 kg (2.0 MT 115 hp AWD); 1470 kg (2.3 AT AWD); 1520 kg (2.3 MT AWD); 1650 kg (2.2 MT 230 hp). Kerb not measured: 4 generation 2.0 137 hp both boxes, 2.2 AT 230 hp, 3 generation 2.0 MT 112 hp AWD, most 1 generation, several 2 generation automatics.

Gross, where measured: 1580–1710 kg on early 1.8/2.0 FWD; 1860–1875 kg on 4 generation 2.0 FWD; 1920 kg on 2.3 FWD; 1960 kg on restyling 2.2; 2020–2070 kg on 2.3 AWD; 2030 kg on 2.0 AWD 115 hp; 2200 kg on both 230 hp 2.2 rows. Payload arithmetic example: 2.0 MT 101 hp 1860 − 1310 = 550 kg; 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD 1875 − 1325 = 550 kg; 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD 2030 − 1430 = 600 kg; 2.3 MT AWD 2070 − 1520 = 550 kg; 2.2 MT 230 hp 2200 − 1650 = 550 kg. 2.2 AT 230 hp gross 2200 kg, kerb not measured.

kg per hp, measured: 2.2 MT 230 hp 7.17; restyling 2.2 165 hp 8.18; 2 generation 2.1 MT 136 hp 8.60; 3 generation 2.0 MT 112 hp FWD 9.64; 2 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp 10.00; 4 generation 2.3 MT FWD 10.30; restyling 2.0 115 hp 10.70; 4 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD 11.52; AWD 12.43; 2.0 MT 101 hp 12.97; restyling 2.4 MT 15.00; 2 generation 2.0 MT 70 hp Diesel 17.29.

Brakes: front Disc on every listed row. Rear Disc on 4 generation rows that have a rear figure; Drum on restyling 1.8 MT 90 hp FWD, 1.8 AT 90 hp, 2.0 AT 115 hp, 2 generation 2.0 MT/2.0 AT 115 hp, and 1 generation rows that list rear brakes. Rear not measured on many 2/3 generation rows.

Which version to choose

If the goal is the shortest 0–100 and the highest top speed: 4 generation 2.2 MT 230 hp. It is 1.5 s and 5 km/h ahead of 2.2 AT 230 hp, 1.2 s and 28 km/h ahead of restyling 2.2 MT 165 hp, and 3.1 s and 56 km/h ahead of 2 generation 2.1 MT 136 hp. Cost in the measured columns: mixed 9.5 L/100 km, city 14.6, 98 fuel, 78 mm clearance, 1650 kg kerb, AWD only. 2.2 AT 230 hp is the same engine with Automatic 4: 8.3 s, 239 km/h, mixed 10.3, kerb not measured.

If the goal is four-wheel drive without the 230 hp turbo: 4 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD or 2.3 MT 133 hp AWD. The 2.3 is 18 hp and 21 Nm stronger, 1.0 s quicker (10.4 versus 11.4), 11 km/h faster (202 versus 191), but 90 kg heavier (1520 versus 1430) and 1.4 L/100 km worse mixed (9.9 versus 8.5). 2.3 AT AWD matches 2.3 AT FWD at 11.9 s and 199 km/h; the AWD car is 100 kg heavier at the kerb (1470 versus 1370) with the same mixed 9.6. Restyling 2.2 MT 165 hp AWD is the older turbo AWD: 8.0 s, 216 km/h, 1350 kg — 300 kg lighter than the 230 hp 2.2 MT, 65 hp down, 1.2 s slower. 3 generation 2.0 MT 112 hp AWD: 0–100, top speed, kerb not measured. Restyling 1.8 MT 88 hp AWD and 1.8 MT 90 hp AWD: 0–100 and top speed not measured; kerb 1080 kg.

If the goal is the lowest mixed figure among measured cars: restyling 1.8 MT 90 hp FWD, 7.1 L/100 km, 12.6 s, 176 km/h, 1160 kg, Carburetor, Drum rear. Next: 3 generation 1.8 MT 90 hp, mixed 7.2, 12.0 s, 176 km/h, 1090 kg, Manual 4. Then 4 generation 2.0 MT 101 hp and 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD, both 7.8 mixed. The 115 hp FWD 2.0 is 1.6 s quicker than the 101 hp 2.0 (11.0 versus 12.6) at the same mixed 7.8, +15 kg kerb (1325 versus 1310). That is the cleanest “extra power at no extra mixed litres” pair in the 4 generation.

If the goal is an automatic without a large time penalty: 3 generation 2.0 AT 112 hp is 10.7 s and 190 km/h — identical to 2.0 MT 112 hp FWD on those two figures. 4 generation 2.0 AT 115 hp is the opposite case: 2.4 s slower than its Manual twin. Restyling 2.0 AT 115 hp is 1.9 s slower than restyling 2.0 MT 115 hp (12.6 versus 10.7). 3 generation 1.9 AT Automatic 4 is 0.2 s quicker than 1.9 AT Automatic 3 (12.2 versus 12.4) at the same 175 km/h.

If the goal is Diesel: restyling 2.5 MT 120 hp is the only diesel that breaks 10 s (9.9 s) and 200 km/h, 265 Nm, 1320 kg, 11.00 kg/hp, V-shaped 5, Turbo. 2.0 MT 100 hp Turbo Diesel: 12.3 s, 185 km/h, 192 Nm, compression 23, 1230 kg. 2.4 MT 82 hp, boost No: 16.5 s, 166 km/h, 15.00 kg/hp. 2 generation 2.0 MT 70 hp Diesel: 18.5 s, 150 km/h, 1210 kg, 17.29 kg/hp — the slowest measured Audi 100 here. 2.0 AT 70 hp: 0–100 not measured.

If the goal is a Coupe: only 1 generation. Among 1.7 MT rows, 100 hp is 20 hp above 80 hp on the same 1700 cm³ (+25%). Among 1.9 MT rows, 116 hp is 4 hp above 112 hp on 1921 cm³. No 0–100, top speed, kerb, or tank is measured, so a Coupe choice cannot be ranked on pace or mass from this file.

If the goal is the lightest sedan with a measured 0–100: 3 generation 1.8 MT 75 hp, 1059 kg, 14.9 s, 165 km/h. 1.8 AT 75 hp: 15.2 s, same mass and 165 km/h. Stepping to 1.8 MT 90 hp in that generation: 12.0 s (−2.9 s), 176 km/h, 1090 kg.

If the goal is 115 hp across generations: 2 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp, 4 Inline, 10.7 s, 179 km/h, 1150 kg, 10.00 kg/hp, Carburetor, Manual 4. Restyling 2.0 MT 115 hp, 5 Inline, 1994 cm³, 10.7 s, 190 km/h, 1230 kg (+80 kg), +11 km/h. 4 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD, 4 Inline, 1984 cm³, 11.0 s, 191 km/h, 1325 kg. Same 10.7 s in 2 generation and restyling; 4 generation is 0.3 s slower and 175 kg heavier than the 2 generation 115 hp 2.0, with mixed measured at 7.8 (the earlier 115 hp 2.0 mixed is not measured). 2 generation also has 2.1 MT 115 hp at 12.0 s / 176 km/h / 1170 kg — 1.3 s slower than its own 2.0 MT 115 hp despite 160 cm³ more (2144 versus 1984). The 136 hp 2.1 MT is the 2 generation performance pick: 9.9 s, 188 km/h, 8.60 kg/hp.

Problems and reliability are not in the numeric source: no failure rates, no service intervals. What the table does show as risk of an uninformed pick is missing measurements. Do not treat 4 generation 2.0 MT 137 hp or 2.0 AT 137 hp as a known-quick 16-valve 2.0: 0–100, top speed, consumption, and kerb are not measured. Do not treat 1 generation as a known-light Coupe: kerb is not measured. Do not assume the 70 hp diesel automatic matches the 18.5 s manual: it is not measured.

Short map. Fastest: 2.2 MT 230 hp, 4 generation. Same engine, less shift work: 2.2 AT 230 hp. Older turbo AWD, less mass: restyling 2.2 MT 165 hp. Daily 4 generation FWD with measured economy: 2.0 MT 115 hp, not the 101 hp twin (same 7.8 mixed, 1.6 s slower) and not the 115 hp Automatic (+2.4 s, +1.1 mixed). AWD daily: 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD if mixed 8.5 matters more than the extra 18 hp of 2.3 MT AWD. Diesel that still accelerates: restyling 2.5 MT 120 hp. Lightest measured: 1.8 MT 75 hp, 3 generation. Coupe: 1 generation 1.9 MT 116 hp if power is the only measured differentiator. Every other named row is a documented middle between those corners.