The beginnings
The Horch No. 1 (1900-1901)
How it all began.
In 1900, August Horch developed his first car. The oldest ancestor of today’s Audi models featured a smooth-running two-cylinder engine, belt drive and evaporative cooler. It laid the foundation for a unique history.
- Engine: Petrol engine, 2 cylinders with one combustion chamber
- Power output: 4.8–5 PS
- Top speed: 30–32 km/h
Audi Type C Alpine Champion (1911-1925)
Heading uphill.
The Audi Type C earned the nickname “Alpine Champion” because its reliability and technical superiority enabled it to achieve several successes in the legendary Austrian Alpine Rally between 1912 and 1914.
- Engine: Petrol engine, 4 inline cylinders
- Displacement: 3,562 cm³
- Power output: 35 PS at 1,700 rpm
- Top speed: 80–90 km/h
- Length/width/height: 4,280/1,650/1,500 mm (Phaeton)
- Unladen weight: 1,300 kg (Phaeton)
Audi Type R Imperator (1927-1929)
Mobility with impressive performance.
This luxury car was the first Audi model to be equipped with an eight-cylinder engine and had truly impressive specifications. Its inline engine with a displacement of 4.9 litres had an output of 100 PS, enabling it to reach a remarkable top speed of 120 km/h. It was produced in various body styles.
Audi 19/100 PS Type R Imperator:
- Engine: Petrol engine, 8 inline cylinders
- Displacement: 4,872 cm³
- Power output: 100 PS at 3,300 rpm
- Top speed: 120 km/h
- Length/width/height: 5,160/1,780/1,930 mm
- Unladen weight: 2,100 kg (Pullman saloon)
DKW Front F 1 (1931-1932)
Leading the way with front-wheel drive.
The DKW F 1 was the first mass-produced car with front-wheel drive and provided the company with a sound economic basis. It is considered a milestone in automotive history because it pioneered the front-wheel drive concept in large scale production. The combination of front-wheel drive and a two-stroke engine soon became the norm for compact cars, surviving until the 1960s.
- Engine: Two-stroke petrol engine, 2 inline cylinders, transversely mounted
- Displacement: 580 cm³
- Power output: 18 PS at 3,800 rpm
- Top speed: 75 km/h
- Length/width/height: 2,900/1,300/1,250 mm
- Unladen weight: 450 kg (roadster, three-seater)
Discover the other eras of the Audi product history
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