History of the Audi Coupe

Audi AG has been producing coupés for most of its 100-year existence, but American auto buyers didn't get a real taste for the Audi coupé until the mid-1960s when it began offering the Audi 80 compact executive model. The coupés were sold as the Audi Fox beginning in 1973 and later the Audi 4000 in the 1980s. Today the Quattro, meaning four-wheel drive, and GT models are favorites among the more sporty-inclined driver.

Audi 80

Produced as the Audi Fox from 1973 to 1979, the Audi 80 was designed to rival the Ford Taurus and the Opel Ascona. It was powered by a variety of engines, including a fuel-injected model, the standard carburetor-fueled version, a standard diesel model, a turbo diesel and the TDI, or Turbocharged Direct Injection. These engines came as either 1.3- or 1.5-liter inline 4 cylinders (see References).

Audi 80 GT

The sporty GT model debuted in 1973 and featured the 100-horsepower 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. It was equipped with MacPherson struts in the front suspension for better handling. A fuel-injected model, the 80 GTE, debuted along with a body facelift in mid-1976 (see References).

Coupé GT

The Coupé GT debuted in 1980 and was produced through 1987. It was marketed as an affordable version of the upscale Quattro. Its power options included the 1.9-liter inline 4-cylinder or the 2-, 2.2- or 2.3-liter fuel-injected 5-cylinder engines. After 1984, the Coupé GT was equipped with the optional Quattro four-wheel drive package. Sales were strong for the model with 174,687 built for its entire run (see References).

Coupé Quattro

The Coupé Quattro, the Type 85, took its mechanical cues from the new Coupé GT four-wheel drive Quattro and was introduced just a few months after the GT. It featured a 2226cc engine generating 136 horsepower. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Quattro grille and headlamps were restyled from the 1983 Audis and a new dashboard and interior were designed. The Coupé Quattro and Coupé GT appearances were almost identical except for badging and minor variations in the cabin (see References).

Coupé Redefined

The TT sports car, which came as a 2+2 coupé and a two-seater roadster, was introduced in 1998. In many respects it revolutionized the sports car industry, bringing the sports car out of the Mazda Miata phase of retro-style to hint at what the 21st century would bring to coupé design (see References).

Rocky Start

The Audi TT got off to a rocky start following sensational news coverage of high-speed fatal wrecks involving the TT on the autobahn. Drivers traveling more than 110 mph and making quick lane changes caused the car to flip. Audi issued a recall and a rear spoiler and the automaker's Electronic Stability system was installed to solve the problem (see References).

TT Improvements

The 2006 TT had its front manufactured in aluminum while the rear was constructed of steel to provide better balance. The original 1.8-liter straight 4-cylinder turbocharged engine was now complemented by a 2-liter turbo 4-cylinder version, the 2.5-liter inline 5 turbo, the 3.2-liter VR6 and the turbo diesel-powered 2-liter inline 4. A high-performance TT RS model powered by the 2.5-liter inline 5 turbo generating 335 braking horsepower also was offered (see References).