Audi 90

Audi 90: generations compared: what actually changed

All three generations are Sedan. Count of versions in the data: 1 generation 12, 2 generation 12 (the generation record lists 20; 12 are present here), 3 generation 3.

All three generations are Sedan. Count of versions in the data: 1 generation 12, 2 generation 12 (the generation record lists 20; 12 are present here), 3 generation 3.

Ground clearance. 2 generation is 130 mm on every version. 3 generation is 110 mm on every version — 20 mm lower. 1 generation is mixed: 130 mm on several 2.0 / 2.2 versions, not measured on the 1994 cc pair and on the 136 hp 2.2 MT pair.

Fuel tank. 1 generation and 2 generation: 68 L on every version. 3 generation: 66 L — 2 L smaller.

Kerb weight (where measured). Lightest: 1 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp at 1059 kg. Heaviest: 3 generation 2.8 MT AWD at 1570 kg — 511 kg more. 2 generation sits in the middle: 1090 kg (1.6 MT) to 1280 kg (2.3 MT 133 hp AWD).

Gross weight (where measured). 1 generation: 1520 kg on the 115 hp 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT and on 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD; 1600 kg on 2.2 MT 136 hp AWD. 2 generation: 1550 kg (1.6 MT) to 1740 kg (2.3 MT 133 hp AWD). 3 generation: not measured on all three.

Power band. 1 generation: 113–136 hp. 2 generation: 80–167 hp. 3 generation: 174 hp only — 7 hp above the 2 generation peak, 38 hp above the 1 generation peak.

Cylinder layouts in the data. 1 generation: 5 Inline Gasoline, boost No. 2 generation: 4 Inline Diesel Turbo (1.6 MT) plus 5 Inline Gasoline, boost No. 3 generation: 6 V-shaped Gasoline, boost No, Front, longitudinal, 2 valves per cylinder.

Wheel sizes. not measured on every version in all three generations.

Engines and specs

Use the names exactly as stored. Same name, different car: split by power, then by drive.

3 generation (1991-09-01–1994-12-31)

All three: Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 10.3, bore × stroke 82.5 × 86.4, Front, longitudinal, Independent, spring front and rear, Disc front and rear.

2 generation (1986-09-01–1991-10-31)

Valves per cylinder: 2 on 1.6 MT, 2.0 MT, the 133/136/167 hp 2.3 Manuals, and 2.3 AT; not measured on all four 2.2 versions. Injection: Distributed injection (multi-point) on 2.0 MT, the 133/136/167 2.3 Manuals, and 2.3 AT; not measured on 1.6 MT and all four 2.2 versions. Engine position: Front, longitudinal where measured; not measured on 2.2 AT both drives, 2.2 MT both drives, and 2.3 AT.

1 generation (1984-01-01–1986-08-31)

Two 2.0 MT and two 2.0 AT exist: 113 hp (1984 cc, 82.5 × 92.8, compression 10.5) versus 115 hp (1994 cc, 81 × 77.4, compression 10). Four 2.2 AT exist: 115 hp FWD, 120 hp AWD, 136 hp AWD, 136 hp FWD. Four 2.2 MT exist: 115 hp FWD, 120 hp AWD, 136 hp FWD, 136 hp AWD.

Performance and economy

Fastest 0–100 km/h (measured): 8.6 s — tie between 2 generation 2.3 MT 167 hp and 1 generation 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD. Next: 3 generation 2.8 MT FWD 8.8 s; 1 generation 2.2 MT 136 hp AWD 9.0 s; 3 generation 2.8 MT AWD 9.1 s.

Slowest measured 0–100: 2 generation 1.6 MT 14.6 s — 6.0 s slower than the 8.6 s cars. 1 generation 2.0 AT 115 hp is 11.7 s, 2.3 s slower than the same-engine 2.0 MT 115 hp at 9.4 s.

0–100 not measured: 2 generation 2.2 AT AWD, 2.2 AT FWD, 2.2 MT AWD, 2.3 AT; 1 generation 2.0 MT 113 hp, 2.0 AT 113 hp, 2.2 MT 115 hp, 2.2 AT 115 hp, 2.2 MT 120 hp, 2.2 AT 120 hp, 2.2 AT 136 hp AWD, 2.2 AT 136 hp FWD.

Highest top speed (measured): 220 km/h — 2 generation 2.3 MT 167 hp. Next: 206 km/h on 2 generation 2.2 MT FWD, 2.3 MT 133 hp AWD, 2.3 MT 133 hp FWD, 2.3 MT 136 hp AWD, 2.3 MT 136 hp FWD. 3 generation all three 2.8 versions: 203 km/h — 17 km/h below the 167 hp car. 1 generation 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD and AWD: 200 km/h. 2 generation 2.0 MT: 196 km/h. 1 generation 2.0 MT 115 hp: 187 km/h; 2.0 AT 115 hp: 181 km/h. Lowest measured: 1.6 MT 174 km/h — 46 km/h below the 220 km/h peak.

Top speed not measured: same list as 0–100 not measured, plus no extra names.

Fuel consumption, mixed (measured). Best: 1.6 MT 5.3 L/100 km. Next: 2 generation 2.0 MT and 2.2 MT FWD 7.8 L/100 km. 2.3 MT 133 hp FWD and both 136 hp 2.3 MT: 8.3. 2.3 MT 167 hp: 8.5. 2.3 MT 133 hp AWD: 8.8. 3 generation 2.8 MT FWD: 10.7. 2.8 AT and 2.8 MT AWD: 12.4 — 1.7 L/100 km more than FWD Manual, 7.1 more than the Diesel.

City / highway (measured examples). 1.6 MT 6.9 / 3.8. 2.0 MT (2 gen) 11.4 / 6.1. 2.2 MT FWD (2 gen) 11.8 / 6.3. 2.3 MT 167 hp 13.2 / 7. 2.8 MT FWD 11.8 / 9. 2.8 AT 14.7 / 9.4. 2.8 MT AWD 13.8 / 10.7.

Consumption not measured on all 1 generation versions, and on 2 generation 2.2 AT both drives, 2.2 MT AWD, 2.3 AT.

CO2 and eco class: not measured on every version.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb / gross / clearance / tank / wheels

3 generation: 2.8 MT FWD and 2.8 AT 1515 kg kerb, gross not measured, 110 mm, 66 L, wheels not measured. 2.8 MT AWD 1570 kg kerb (+55 kg), same clearance and tank, gross not measured, wheels not measured.

2 generation (clearance 130 mm, tank 68 L, wheels not measured throughout): 1.6 MT 1090 / 1550. 2.0 MT 1170 / 1630. 2.2 MT FWD 1170 / 1630. 2.2 AT FWD 136 hp kerb not measured / 1630. 2.2 AT AWD 136 hp kerb not measured / gross not measured. 2.2 MT AWD kerb not measured / gross not measured. 2.3 MT 133 hp AWD 1280 / 1740. 2.3 MT 133 hp FWD 1170 / 1630. 2.3 AT 1170 / 1630. 2.3 MT 136 hp AWD 1170 / 1630. 2.3 MT 136 hp FWD 1170 / 1630. 2.3 MT 167 hp 1200 / 1660.

1 generation: 2.0 MT 113 hp and 2.0 AT 113 hp — kerb not measured, gross not measured, 130 mm, 68 L. 2.0 MT 115 hp 1059 / 1520, clearance not measured, 68 L. 2.0 AT 115 hp 1060 / 1520, clearance not measured. 2.2 MT 115 hp and 2.2 AT 115 hp — kerb not measured, gross not measured, 130 mm. 2.2 MT 120 hp and 2.2 AT 120 hp — kerb not measured, gross not measured, 130 mm. 2.2 AT 136 hp AWD and FWD — kerb not measured, gross not measured, 130 mm. 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD 1060 / 1520, clearance not measured. 2.2 MT 136 hp AWD 1200 / 1600, clearance not measured.

Independent, spring suspension and Disc brakes front and rear are the same labels on every version that lists them.

Which version to choose

If the number you care about is 0–100 km/h. Buy 2 generation 2.3 MT 167 hp or 1 generation 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD — both 8.6 s. The 167 hp car adds 31 hp and 20 km/h of top speed (220 vs 200) and 140 kg of kerb weight versus that 1060 kg FWD (1200 vs 1060). The 3 generation 2.8 MT FWD is 0.2 s slower than both (8.8 s) with 7 hp more than the 167 hp car and 38 hp more than the 136 hp car, but it carries 455 kg more than the 1 generation FWD (1515 vs 1060) and 315 kg more than the 167 hp car (1515 vs 1200).

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres from the cc figure). 2 generation 2.3 MT 167 hp: 167 / 2.309 ≈ 72.3 hp/L — densest in the data. 3 generation 2.8 (all three): 174 / 2.771 ≈ 62.8 hp/L. 2 generation 2.2 MT FWD 136 hp: 136 / 2.226 ≈ 61.1 hp/L. 1 generation 2.2 MT 136 hp: same 61.1 hp/L. 2 generation 2.0 MT: 115 / 1.994 ≈ 57.7 hp/L. 1.6 MT: 80 / 1.588 ≈ 50.4 hp/L.

Weight per horsepower (kerb kg ÷ hp, where both exist). Lightest load: 1 generation 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD 1060 / 136 ≈ 7.8 kg/hp. 2 generation 2.3 MT 167 hp 1200 / 167 ≈ 7.2 kg/hp — the lowest kg/hp in the measured set. 3 generation 2.8 MT FWD 1515 / 174 ≈ 8.7 kg/hp. 2.8 MT AWD 1570 / 174 ≈ 9.0 kg/hp. 1.6 MT 1090 / 80 ≈ 13.6 kg/hp — heaviest per horsepower.

If you want AWD. Measured AWD sprints: 3 generation 2.8 MT AWD 9.1 s; 1 generation 2.2 MT 136 hp AWD 9.0 s. AWD versus FWD on the same 174 hp 2.8 Manual: +55 kg, +0.3 s, mixed 12.4 vs 10.7 (+1.7 L/100 km), city 13.8 vs 11.8, highway 10.7 vs 9. 1 generation 136 hp Manual: AWD is +140 kg (1200 vs 1060) and +0.4 s (9.0 vs 8.6); top speed stays 200 km/h. 2 generation 2.3 MT 133 hp: AWD is +110 kg (1280 vs 1170) and mixed +0.5 L/100 km (8.8 vs 8.3); 0–100 stays 9.2 s and 206 km/h on both. 2 generation 2.3 MT 136 hp AWD and FWD share 1170 kg, 9.2 s, 206 km/h, 8.3 mixed — AWD does not add measured mass on that pair. 2 generation 2.2 MT AWD and both 2.2 AT AWD: 0–100, top speed, consumption, and kerb not measured.

If you want Automatic. 3 generation 2.8 AT versus 2.8 MT FWD: same 174 hp, same 1515 kg, same 203 km/h; 0–100 9.8 vs 8.8 (+1.0 s); mixed 12.4 vs 10.7 (+1.7); city 14.7 vs 11.8 (+2.9); highway 9.4 vs 9 (+0.4); 4 gears versus 5. 1 generation 2.0 AT 115 hp versus 2.0 MT 115 hp: +2.3 s (11.7 vs 9.4), −6 km/h (181 vs 187), +1 kg (1060 vs 1059). 2 generation Automatics (2.2 AT both drives, 2.3 AT): 0–100, top speed, and consumption not measured — you cannot rank them on sprint or mpg from this data. 2.3 AT is the only 3-speed Automatic in 2 generation; the 2.2 AT pair is 4-speed.

If you want the smallest fuel bill in the numbers. 2 generation 1.6 MT: mixed 5.3, city 6.9, highway 3.8, tank 68 L. Mixed range from those two figures: 68 / 5.3 × 100 ≈ 1283 km. Versus 3 generation 2.8 MT FWD mixed 10.7 and 66 L: 66 / 10.7 × 100 ≈ 617 km — about half. Cost of that economy: 80 hp versus 174, 14.6 s versus 8.8 s, 174 km/h versus 203 km/h. Versus 2.3 MT 167 hp mixed 8.5: the Diesel uses 3.2 L/100 km less mixed and is 6.0 s slower.

If you want 2 generation without the 167 hp peak. 2.2 MT FWD 136 hp: 9.2 s, 206 km/h, mixed 7.8, 1170 kg — 0.6 s slower than the 167 hp car, 14 km/h slower, 0.7 L/100 km less mixed, 30 kg lighter. 2.0 MT 115 hp: 10.2 s, 196 km/h, mixed 7.8 — same mixed as 2.2 MT FWD, 1.0 s slower, 10 km/h slower, 21 hp less, same 1170 kg. 2.3 MT 133 hp FWD versus 2.3 MT 136 hp FWD: same 9.2 s, 206 km/h, 1170 kg, 8.3 mixed; the 136 hp car has 189 Nm versus 186 Nm. 2.3 MT 133 hp AWD is the heavy 2 generation petrol: 1280 kg, 1740 kg gross.

If you want 3 generation at all. There is no Diesel, no 4-cylinder, no 5-cylinder, no Turbo. The choice is only gearbox and drive on one 2771 cc engine. FWD Manual is the efficient 2.8 (10.7 mixed, 8.8 s). Automatic and AWD Manual land on the same 12.4 mixed; Automatic is 0.7 s slower than AWD Manual (9.8 vs 9.1) and 55 kg lighter (1515 vs 1570).

If you want 1 generation. The only fully measured performance pair at the top of that generation is 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD versus AWD (8.6 / 200 / 1060 versus 9.0 / 200 / 1200). 2.0 MT 115 hp is 9.4 s / 187 km/h / 1059 kg — 0.8 s slower than the 136 hp FWD, 13 km/h slower, 21 hp less, 1 kg lighter. Do not treat 2.0 MT 113 hp as the same car as 2.0 MT 115 hp: 1984 vs 1994 cc, 113 vs 115 hp, 170 vs 165 Nm, 10.5 vs 10 compression, 82.5 × 92.8 vs 81 × 77.4; 0–100 and top speed on the 113 hp pair are not measured. The 115 hp and 120 hp 2.2 versions have 0–100, top speed, consumption, and kerb not measured.

Reliability / problems. This dataset has no failure rates, no service intervals, and no defect lists. What it does show is mechanical variety you are buying: Diesel Turbo 4 Inline only as 1.6 MT; Gasoline 5 Inline through 1 and 2 generation; Gasoline 6 V-shaped only in 3 generation; Automatic 3-speed in 1 generation and on 2 generation 2.3 AT; Automatic 4-speed on 2 generation 2.2 AT and 3 generation 2.8 AT; AWD on selected 2.2 / 2.3 / 2.8 Manuals and Automatics as named above.

A buyer’s short list from the arithmetic. Daily mpg: 1.6 MT. Fastest measured sprint: 2.3 MT 167 hp or 2.2 MT 136 hp FWD (1 generation). Fastest 3 generation: 2.8 MT FWD. AWD with a measured sprint: 2.8 MT AWD or 2.2 MT 136 hp AWD (1 generation). Automatic with a measured sprint: 2.8 AT or 2.0 AT 115 hp (1 generation). Highest top speed: 2.3 MT 167 hp at 220 km/h. Lightest measured kerb: 2.0 MT 115 hp (1 generation) at 1059 kg. Do not pick a 2 generation 2.2 AT or 2.3 AT if you need a number for 0–100, top speed, or consumption — those figures are not measured.