Brief Overview of the 80

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Introduced for 1988, Audi's "entry-level" sedan came with front-wheel drive or, as the 80 Quattro, with permanently engaged all-wheel drive. The Quattro system normally split engine torque 50/50 between the front and rear axles. When sensors detected wheel slippage, a torque-sensing center differential automatically sent as much as 78 percent of the power to the axle with the most traction. The front-drive 80 sedan used a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which produced 108 horsepower. A larger (2.3-liter) 5-cylinder engine went into the 80 Quattro, making 130 horsepower. Either way, a 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 3-speed automatic optional. Antilock brakes were optional, but a driver's airbag was standard. New features this year included a standard stereo radio/cassette player with anti-theft circuit for the front-drive 80 sedan. A Sport Package was optional on the 80 Quattro, containing sport seats, a trim computer, and additional gauges.

Year-to-Year Changes

1991 Audi 80: Audi's entry-level front-drive sedan lost its 108-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, adopting instead the 130-horsepower 5-cylinder powerplant from the 80 Quattro and its more costly 90-series sibling. At the same time, a 4-speed automatic transmission replaced the prior 3-speed unit as an option. Fog lamps became standard, as did all-season tires (with high-performance rubber optional). The all-wheel-drive 80 Quattro gained antilock brakes, a sport suspension, and sport seats.

1992 Audi 80: Audi dropped its existing 90 series this year, but the "entry-level" 80 series carried on for one more season with only minor changes. Antilock brakes now were standard, and a power sunroof replaced the manually operated unit on the options list.