Audi 200

Audi 200: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Audi 200 catalogue data covers three generations of Sedan models produced from 1979-01-01 to 1991-12-31. Choosing between them is mainly a question of priorities: the first generation offers 136 hp or 170 hp with FWD; the second generation expands the range to 136–182 hp and introduces AWD; and the second-generation restyling raises the ceiling to 220 hp, 309 Nm, AWD and a 242 km/h top speed.

The Audi 200 catalogue data covers three generations of Sedan models produced from 1979-01-01 to 1991-12-31. Choosing between them is mainly a question of priorities: the first generation offers 136 hp or 170 hp with FWD; the second generation expands the range to 136–182 hp and introduces AWD; and the second-generation restyling raises the ceiling to 220 hp, 309 Nm, AWD and a 242 km/h top speed. The strongest all-round performance choice is the restyled 2.2 MT with 220 hp, while buyers prioritizing lower recorded fuel consumption should examine the second-generation 2.1 MT with 182 hp and FWD.

Audi 200 generations compared

The first generation ran from 1979-01-01 to 1983-05-31 as a Sedan and contains 3 versions. Its 2.1 MT is available with either 136 hp or 170 hp, while the 2.1 AT has 170 hp. All three are FWD. The 136 hp 2.1 MT reaches 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds and 188 km/h; the turbocharged 170 hp 2.1 MT reduces the acceleration time by 2 seconds and raises maximum speed by 14 km/h. The 170 hp 2.1 AT has no measured acceleration or maximum-speed figure.

The second generation ran from 1983-06-01 to 1988-01-31 as a Sedan and contains 18 versions, of which 12 are detailed here. Its engine selection includes 2.1 and 2.2 versions producing 136–182 hp. It adds AWD choices alongside FWD and offers manual and automatic gearboxes. The quickest measured version is the AWD 2.1 AT with 182 hp at 8.1 seconds to 100 km/h, matching the highest recorded speed of 230 km/h. The FWD 2.1 MT with 182 hp also reaches 230 km/h and records the lowest combined consumption in this generation at 9.5 L/100 km.

The second-generation restyling ran from 1988-02-01 to 1991-12-31 as a Sedan and contains 16 versions, of which 12 are detailed here. It standardizes the listed engine displacement at 2226 cc and offers outputs of 165 hp, 190 hp, 200 hp and 220 hp. Its flagship AWD 2.2 MT combines 220 hp with 309 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and has a maximum speed of 242 km/h. That makes it 1.4 seconds quicker and 26 km/h faster than the measured 165 hp 2.2 MT with FWD.

Audi 200 engine specs and drivetrain comparison

Because several entries share the same database name, power and drive are shown beside each exact version name to distinguish them.

The first-generation 136 hp engine produces about 63.4 hp per litre, while its 170 hp alternative produces about 79.3 hp per litre. In the second generation, the 182 hp 2144 cc engine reaches about 84.9 hp per litre. Among the restyled 2226 cc engines, output rises from about 74.1 hp per litre at 165 hp to about 98.8 hp per litre at 220 hp. The 220 hp version therefore provides 55 hp and 69 Nm more than the 165 hp version from the same displacement.

Audi 200 performance and fuel economy

For economy with measured data, the second-generation 2.1 MT with 182 hp and FWD is the clearest choice: its 9.5 L/100 km combined result is 0.6 L/100 km lower than the AWD manual with the same power. Moving from that FWD manual to AWD adds 120 kg but improves acceleration by 0.1 second, with no change in the 230 km/h top speed.

Among restyled 165 hp cars with complete figures, the FWD 2.2 MT records 9.9 L/100 km combined. The 3-speed FWD 2.2 AT uses 1.0 L/100 km more, takes 1.2 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h and is 4 km/h slower. The 1410 kg AWD 2.2 MT matches the FWD manual’s 8.0-second acceleration and 216 km/h maximum speed, but its combined consumption is 0.9 L/100 km higher.

Audi 200 dimensions, weight and capacity

Exterior length, other exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any version in the supplied catalogue data. Ground clearance ranges from 130 mm in the first generation to 133–160 mm in the later generations.

The first-generation 2.1 MT versions have a kerb weight of 1260 kg. That equals about 9.3 kg per hp for the 136 hp car and about 7.4 kg per hp for the 170 hp car. Gross weight and fuel-tank capacity are not measured for these first-generation versions, and the 2.1 AT kerb weight is also not measured.

Second-generation measured kerb weights span 1260–1480 kg, while recorded gross weights span 1760–1960 kg. The 182 hp 2.1 MT weighs 1290 kg with FWD and 1410 kg with AWD, giving approximately 7.1 and 7.7 kg per hp respectively. The 80 L tank is listed for every second-generation version. Wheel sizes are not measured.

The restyled range has measured kerb weights of 1290–1450 kg and measured gross weights of 1790–2000 kg. The 220 hp 2.2 MT weighs 1290 kg, or about 5.9 kg per hp, which is the strongest measured weight-to-power result in the data. The 165 hp AWD manuals weigh either 1410 kg or 1450 kg, equivalent to about 8.5 or 8.8 kg per hp. Every restyled version has an 80 L tank, while wheel sizes are not measured.

Which Audi 200 version should you choose?

Choose the restyled 2.2 MT with 220 hp and AWD for maximum measured performance. Its 309 Nm is delivered at 1950 rpm, its 6.6-second acceleration is the quickest recorded, and its 242 km/h top speed is the highest. Compared with the 200 hp 2.2 MT, it adds 20 hp and 39 Nm, cuts 0–100 km/h by 0.9 second and increases top speed by 22 km/h.

Choose the second-generation 2.1 MT with 182 hp and FWD when measured economy and performance must be balanced. It combines 230 km/h, 8.2 seconds to 100 km/h and 9.5 L/100 km combined consumption. The AWD 2.1 MT is 0.1 second quicker, but it weighs 120 kg more and uses an additional 0.6 L/100 km combined.

Choose the restyled 2.2 MT with 165 hp and FWD if you want a later car without paying the fuel-consumption penalty shown by the equivalent automatic or AWD versions. It records 8.0 seconds, 216 km/h and 9.9 L/100 km combined. The 3-speed Automatic alternative is slower and consumes more, while the 1410 kg AWD manual preserves the same acceleration and maximum speed but raises combined use to 10.8 L/100 km.

Choose the first-generation 2.1 MT with 170 hp over the 136 hp 2.1 MT when performance is the priority within that generation. The turbocharged version adds 34 hp, improves the power-per-litre figure by about 15.9 hp per litre, reduces the weight-to-power ratio by about 1.9 kg per hp, and cuts the measured acceleration time from 10.6 to 8.6 seconds. Its top speed also rises from 188 to 202 km/h.

For an automatic, the data supports the second-generation 2.1 AT with 182 hp and FWD as the most completely documented compromise: 8.9 seconds to 100 km/h, 223 km/h and 10.6 L/100 km combined. The AWD 2.1 AT is measured at 8.1 seconds and 230 km/h, but its consumption is not measured. The restyled 220 hp 2.2 AT offers the highest automatic output and 309 Nm, yet its acceleration, top speed, consumption and kerb weight are not measured, so the numbers do not support a complete performance-and-economy comparison.