Which Audi 80 Version Should You Buy?
The Audi 80 version to choose depends on whether you value performance, economy, low weight, or an Automatic gearbox. Across the six catalogue generations and restylings, the data covers Coupe and Sedan bodies built from August 1972 through December 1995. Every listed car is FWD; no Audi 80 quattro specification is present in this dataset.
The Audi 80 version to choose depends on whether you value performance, economy, low weight, or an Automatic gearbox. Across the six catalogue generations and restylings, the data covers Coupe and Sedan bodies built from August 1972 through December 1995. Every listed car is FWD; no Audi 80 quattro specification is present in this dataset. The standout performance choice is the first-generation Coupe’s 1.6 GTE MT: 110 hp, 9.2-second acceleration to 100 km/h, and a 181 km/h top speed. For measured economy, the fourth-generation Sedan’s turbocharged 1.6 MT combines 80 hp with 5.3 l/100 km and is the strongest all-round economy choice. Buyers wanting an uncomplicated Gasoline Sedan can instead consider the fourth-generation 1.6 MT with 70 hp, while the 1.8 AT provides the clearest Automatic option because its performance and consumption were measured.
Audi 80 generations: what changed?
The first-generation Audi 80 Coupe ran from August 1972 to July 1976 with 10 versions. Its August 1976–July 1978 restyling added 11 catalogue versions without changing the Coupe body. The range included 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 1.6 GT MT, and 1.6 GTE MT variants. These cars used FWD, Gasoline engines, and either Manual or Automatic transmissions. The measured kerb weights span 835–880 kg, making this the lightest generation represented here.
The second-generation Coupe ran from August 1978 to July 1984 and contained 15 versions. Engine capacities in the displayed specifications range from 1296 cc to 1595 cc, while output ranges from 55 hp to 102 hp. Manual versions have 4 gears and Automatic versions have 3 gears. The August 1984–August 1986 restyling remains part of this generation, but its version count is 0 and no modification specifications were supplied.
The third-generation Audi 80 changed to a Sedan body and ran from September 1986 to January 1992 with 33 versions. Among the displayed cars, the range extends from the 55 hp 1.3 MT to the 110 hp 1.6 MT. It retained FWD and offered Manual and Automatic gearboxes. Its rear suspension is Dependent, spring, compared with the earlier Coupe’s Semi-independent, spring description.
The fourth-generation Sedan ran from September 1991 to December 1995 with 45 versions. Its displayed engine choices include Gasoline and Diesel units, with capacities from 1588 cc to 1896 cc and outputs from 54 hp to 80 hp. It introduces the dataset’s turbocharged Diesel choices and uses Independent, spring suspension at both ends. The third- and fourth-generation production periods overlap from September 1991 through January 1992.
Audi 80 engine options and specs
Repeated names are distinguished by output because several specifications share the same database name. “Not measured” means the supplied record contains no figure.
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Capacity | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1.3 MT (55 hp) | 55 hp | 92 Nm | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.3 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 91 Nm | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.5 AT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 114 Nm | 1471 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First | 1.5 AT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 121 Nm | 1471 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First | 1.5 MT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 114 Nm | 1471 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.5 MT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 121 Nm | 1471 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.6 MT | 75 hp | 118 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.6 AT | 75 hp | 118 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First | 1.6 GT MT | 100 hp | 131 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.6 GTE MT | 110 hp | 137 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.3 MT (55 hp) | 55 hp | 100 Nm | 1296 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.3 AT (55 hp) | 55 hp | 100 Nm | 1296 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.3 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 100 Nm | 1296 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.3 AT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 100 Nm | 1296 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.5 MT (75 hp) | 75 hp | not measured | 1500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.5 AT (75 hp) | 75 hp | not measured | 1500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.5 MT (85 hp) | 85 hp | not measured | 1500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.5 AT (85 hp) | 85 hp | not measured | 1500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 AT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 125 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 MT (85 hp) | 85 hp | not measured | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 AT (85 hp) | 85 hp | not measured | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 MT (102 hp) | 102 hp | 148 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.3 MT (55 hp) | 55 hp | 100 Nm | 1272 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.3 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 95 Nm | 1272 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 MT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 121 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 AT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 121 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 AT (75 hp, 55 kW) | 75 hp | 119 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 AT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 124 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 MT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 124 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 MT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 137 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 MT (73 hp) | 73 hp | 125 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 AT (75 hp, 46 kW) | 75 hp | 125 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third | 1.6 MT (75 hp, 46 kW) | 75 hp | 125 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.8 MT | 88 hp | 145 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 AT (54 hp) | 54 hp | 100 Nm | 1588 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 MT (54 hp) | 54 hp | 100 Nm | 1588 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 AT (80 hp) | 80 hp | not measured | 1588 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 MT (80 hp) | 80 hp | 155 Nm | 1588 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.9 AT | 68 hp | not measured | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.9 MT | 68 hp | not measured | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 AT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 118 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 MT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 118 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 MT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 125 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.6 AT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 125 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.8 AT | 75 hp | 140 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth | 1.8 MT | 75 hp | 140 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
The restyled first generation repeats several versions and also lists the exact database name 1.5 MT. Its specification is 75 hp, 114 Nm, 1471 cc, Gasoline, 4 Inline cylinders, No boost, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, and FWD. It also repeats 1.3 MT, 1.5 AT, 1.5 MT, 1.6 AT, 1.6 MT, 1.6 GT MT, and 1.6 GTE MT specifications shown above.
Audi 80 performance and fuel economy
The quickest measured car is the first-generation 1.6 GTE MT. Its 110 hp moves 855 kg, giving 7.8 kg per hp; it reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and 181 km/h. At approximately 69.3 hp per litre, it also has the highest calculated specific output among the displayed naturally aspirated versions. The 1.6 GT MT produces 100 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, and tops out at 175 km/h. Its extra 10 hp deficit versus the 1.6 GTE MT corresponds to 1.0 second slower acceleration and 6 km/h less top speed.
The third-generation 1.6 MT with 110 hp is the quickest measured Sedan. At 950 kg, it carries approximately 8.6 kg per hp, reaches 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, and records 180 km/h. Its combined consumption is 9.2 l/100 km. By comparison, the third-generation 1.8 MT has 88 hp, weighs 1070 kg, reaches 100 km/h in 11 seconds, and tops out at 170 km/h while using 7.5 l/100 km combined. Choosing the 110 hp 1.6 MT therefore brings 22 hp more and a 0.8-second acceleration advantage, but its measured combined consumption is 1.7 l/100 km higher.
For economy, the fourth-generation turbo 1.6 MT is the clear measured leader: 6.5 l/100 km in the city, 4.6 l/100 km on the highway, and 5.3 l/100 km combined. It produces 80 hp and 155 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 14.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 172 km/h. The naturally aspirated 54 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT use 5.8 l/100 km combined, take 22 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and reach 153 km/h. The turbo Manual therefore adds 26 hp, cuts 7.4 seconds from the acceleration time, raises top speed by 19 km/h, and consumes 0.5 l/100 km less on the combined measure.
The fourth-generation Gasoline 1.6 MT with 70 hp records 9.1 l/100 km city, 6.2 l/100 km highway, and 7.4 l/100 km combined. It reaches 100 km/h in 14.1 seconds and 168 km/h. The 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT both use 7.7 l/100 km combined and reach 167 km/h; acceleration is 13.6 seconds for the Manual and 13.7 seconds for the Automatic. Where performance or consumption cells are absent for other versions, those figures are not measured.
Audi 80 dimensions, weight and practical specs
Exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured for any supplied version, so full Audi 80 dimensions and size comparisons cannot be made from this dataset. Wheel sizes are also not measured throughout; buyers should verify wheels against the individual car rather than infer Audi 80 wheel specs from its generation.
Weight provides a useful comparison. The first-generation 1.3 MT weighs 835 kg, while the first-generation 1.5 AT with 85 hp weighs 880 kg. The first-generation 1.6 GTE MT and 1.6 GT MT each weigh 855 kg. Their gross weight is 1280 kg, and their fuel tank holds 45 litres.
The second-generation 1.3 MT with 60 hp has a 910 kg kerb weight; its gross weight is not measured. Kerb and gross weight are not measured for the displayed second-generation 1.5 and 1.6 versions. Ground clearance is consistently listed as 107 mm, while tank capacity is not measured.
Third-generation kerb weights span 890–1070 kg in the displayed data. Gross weights range from 1370 kg to 1550 kg, ground clearance is either 107 mm or 130 mm, and every displayed version has a 68-litre tank. The 110 hp 1.6 MT weighs 950 kg, whereas the 88 hp 1.8 MT weighs 1070 kg: the more powerful car is 120 kg lighter.
Fourth-generation measured kerb weights range from 1025 kg to 1100 kg, with gross weights from 1490 kg to 1560 kg where available. Every displayed version has 130 mm of ground clearance and a 68-litre tank. Some individual weights are not measured, including those of several Automatic versions.
Which Audi 80 version should you buy and why?
Choose the first-generation 1.6 GTE MT if measured performance and power-to-weight ratio matter most. It has the best acceleration, highest top speed, and lowest weight per horsepower among the supplied specifications. The 1.6 GT MT is the nearby alternative, but it gives away 10 hp and 1.0 second in the sprint to 100 km/h while recording 10.8 rather than 8.9 l/100 km combined.
Choose the third-generation 1.6 MT with 110 hp if you want the strongest measured Sedan. Its 180 km/h top speed is 10 km/h above the 1.8 MT, and its 950 kg kerb weight is 120 kg lower. The 1.8 MT is the more economical measured choice at 7.5 l/100 km combined, saving 1.7 l/100 km.
Choose the fourth-generation turbo 1.6 MT with 80 hp for the best balance of economy and usable performance. It has the lowest measured combined consumption, the highest measured Diesel torque, and a 5-speed Manual. Against the 68 hp 1.9 MT, it offers 12 hp more, reaches 100 km/h 2.3 seconds sooner, and has a top speed 7 km/h higher; consumption for the 1.9 MT is not measured.
For an Automatic Sedan with a complete measured comparison, choose the fourth-generation 1.8 AT. It reaches 100 km/h only 0.1 second behind the equivalent 1.8 MT, shares its 167 km/h top speed and 7.7 l/100 km combined consumption, and weighs 1025 kg. Automatic performance and economy are not measured for several other fourth-generation choices.
No recommendation can be made for an Audi 80 quattro, cabriolet, engine swap, engine code, weight distribution, or for-sale listing because those facts are absent from the supplied data. Within the measured catalogue, the decision is clearer: 1.6 GTE MT for outright performance, third-generation 1.6 MT with 110 hp for the quickest Sedan, fourth-generation turbo 1.6 MT for economy, or fourth-generation 1.8 AT for measured Automatic performance.