| Audi Coupé/Cabriolet | |
|---|---|
 Audi Coupé (B3, pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Audi AG |
| Production | 1980–2000 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car,Coupé |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group B |
| Related | Audi 80 |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Audi 100 Coupé S |
| Successor | Cabriolet:Audi A4 Cabriolet Coupe:Audi A5 |
TheAudi Coupé is aliftbackcoupé version of theAudi 80, first shown in 1980. The bodywork was shared with theAudi Quattro. The second generation Coupé arrived in late 1988 and was based on the B3 Audi 80, albeit with a different suspension. The Coupé remained in production until the end of 1996 and spawned theAudi S2 series of sports versions. A convertible model arrived in 1991, called simply theCabriolet, and remained in production until 2000.
| Audi Coupé B2 (81/85) | |
|---|---|
 Audi Coupé GT (facelift model) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1980–1988 |
| Assembly | Germany:Ingolstadt |
| Designer | Giorgetto Giugiaro |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé |
| Layout | longitudinalfront engine, front-wheel drive orquattro permanentfour-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group B2 |
| Related | Audi 80/4000 Audi Quattro |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,538 mm (99.9 in) |
| Length | 4,349–4,421 mm (171.2–174.1 in) |
| Width | 1,682 mm (66.2 in) |
| Height | 1,350–1,376 mm (53.1–54.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 950–1,200 kg (2,094–2,646 lb) |
TheAudi Coupé (B2,Typ 81/85) was a two-doorcoupé produced and sold byAudi from 1980 to 1988. It was offered as a less expensive version of itsturbocharged, permanentfour-wheel driveAudi Quattro without turbocharger(s) or four wheel drive. Later,quattro was added as an option (Typ 85).Typ 81 was the internal model code for front-wheel drive Audi Coupés.
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The Coupé, first displayed at the Paris Salon 1980, featured a similar body shape to theQuattro, but without the knife-edged fender flares of the more expensive car. Mechanically, the biggest changes from the Quattro to the Coupé were the use of anaturally aspirated 1.9-litre carburettorpetrol engine, 2.0-litre, 2.1-, 2.2-, or 2.3-litrefuel injectedinline five-cylinder engine and afront-wheel drivedrivetrain. Some lesser Coupés were also fitted with a1.8-litreinline four-cylinder engine, injected or carburetted, and for the very first year of production a1.6-litre "YN" 75 PS (55 kW) engine was available.[1] The short-lived 1.6 was the only Coupé not to be fitted with a black rear spoiler.
The Coupé was available as just plain "Coupé" or GL (four-cylinders only), "Coupé GT", and "Coupé quattro" (without the GT tag). From 1986 until the end of production in late 1988, the Coupé GT was also available with the 110–112 PS (81–82 kW) 1.8-litrePV/DZ inline-four best known from theGolf GTi.[2] For the last model year, the new 2309 cc"NG" five cylinder was available, offering 136 PS (100 kW) at 5600 rpm. This engine became available during 1987 for the last of the Audi Coupés sold in the US, where it produced 130 hp (97 kW) at 5,700 rpm as opposed to the 110 hp (82 kW) at 5500 rpm available from the 2.2-litre five which had been used since the facelift for model year 1985.[3] The Coupé had originally gone on sale in the US late in model year 1981 with the 100 hp (75 kW) 2144 cc five-cylinder also used in the 5000 (Audi 100).[4]
For the 1983 model year, European models switched from having two separate headlamps to large integratedBosch units. Apart from changing the appearance, this also provided improved aerodynamics and better lighting.[5]
The updated Coupé, introduced after the German industrial holidays in the autumn of 1984, was given new, slightly sloped radiator grille andheadlights, a large wrap-aroundbumper with integrated spotlights and turn signals, plastic sill covers, and the large rearspoiler from theAudi Quattro. These changes brought thedrag coefficient down to 0.36. A newdashboard was also introduced, as was a new interior. GL and standard versions were cancelled for model year 1987 and all FWD Coupés were from then referred to as "Coupé GT".[6]
In 1985, For the 1986 model year, the Coupés (as with all Audis) were available with more catalyzed engine options. Also, the entire B2 range (Audi 80/90/Coupé) received stainless steel exhausts (for European markets at least).[7]
Also in September 1984, Audi made available the option of thequattro permanentfour-wheel drive system to produce the Audi Coupé quattro, a model which was rarer than the turbocharged Quattro model. While most common with the 2.2-litre engine (also 2.3 for the last year, introduced 1987 for the US), in some markets the 1.8-litre four-cylinder models (90 and 112 PSDS/NE/JN orDZ engines) were also available with four-wheel drive.[8][9]
The Coupé and Coupé quattro models appear almost identical from the outside except for a few minor "quattro" specifics. While the GT had "COUPE GT" on the rear side windows, the CQ had the "quattro" decal as used on the Ur-Quattro. Similarly at the rear, the badging was "GT" and "quattro" respectively. The quattro versions also used the Ur-Quattro rear windscreen with "quattro" written into the heater elements (very obviously so on a cold and frosty morning), and the front grille was also adorned with the "quattro" badge from the Ur-Q. Inside, the cabin was identical except that thecentre console received adifferential lock switch, andLEDbargraph displays in place of the GT's three analogue-style gauges. Some Coupé quattros were distinguished by a body-coloured rear spoiler.
Mechanically, the Coupé quattro depended on a combination of components from the GT and theAudi 80 quattro. Thequattro permanentfour-wheel drivedrivetrain was almost identical to that used on the Ur-Quattro - the main differences being the use of the Coupé GT front struts, smaller 256 mm (10 in) diameter frontbrake disks, and lowerratios in the gearbox and rear differential. Thedamper andspring rates were also different from theUr-Q. It was thus largely identical to the Audi 90 quattro and the North American Audi 4000 quattro. Wheels were 6.0Jx14", with steel oraluminium alloy rims dependent on the market. 7.0Jx15" Ronals, almost identical to the Ur-Quattro wheels, were also available. The CQ/90Q/4000Q also received their own exhaust manifold and downpipe (5-3-1, while FWD versions were 5-2-1).
From September 1980 to September 1987, 174,687Typ 81 Coupés were built.[10] Quattro production ran from late 1984 to 1988, and was in the total region of 8,000 cars.
| Engine type | Inline 5 cylinder |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,226 cc (2.2 L) |
| Max. Power | 100 kW (136 PS; 134 bhp) at 5,700 rpm |
| Max. Torque | 186 Nm (137 lb·ft) at 3500 rpm |
| Compression ratio | 10.0 |
| Fuel system | MechanicalBosch KE-Jetronicfuel injection with warm up regulator, overrun fuel shut-off and idle-speed mixture stabilising |
| Gearbox | 5-speedmanual gearbox |
| Service interval | 15,000 km or 10,000 miles |
| Transmission | Permanent4WD with lockable centre and reardifferentials |
| Wheel and tyre size | 6.0Jx14" / 195/60 HR14 |
| Top speed | 202 km/h (125.5 mph) |
| Acceleration | 0-80 km/h (49.7 mph) 6.0 s 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph) 8,8 s |
| Fuel consumption | constant 56 mph = 38.7 mpg[clarification needed] constant 75 mph = 31.0 mpg urban cycle = 21.9 mpg |
| Luggage capacity | 15.6 cu ft (440 L) |
| Audi Coupé B3 (Typ 8B) | |
|---|---|
 Audi Coupé (pre-facelift model) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1988–1996 |
| Assembly | Germany:Ingolstadt |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-doorliftbackcoupé |
| Layout | longitudinalfront engine, front-wheel drive orquattro permanentfour-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group B3 |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,555 mm (100.6 in) |
| Length | 4,366 mm (171.9 in) |
| Width | 1,716 mm (67.6 in) |
| Height | 1,355 mm (53.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,170–1,400 kg (2,579–3,086 lb) |
In October 1988, and after a brief hiatus for the Audi Coupé, a new three-doorCoupé was introduced in Europe. This generation is known internally as theTyp 8B and is basically aTyp 89 saloon with a modified rear suspension and a new front suspension system which previewed what was to come in the B4 Audi 80. When introduced it was only available with either the ten- or twenty-valve 2.3E engine, which was later joined by the 115 PS (85 kW; 113 bhp) 2.0E and a number of other versions.
In February 1989 a 20-valve version of the 2.0-liter five-cylinder engine went on sale in Italy. This was the only version of the Coupé sold in Italy, where cars of over two liters suffer a high tax penalty.[12] It was not offered anywhere besides Italy and Portugal as it was never fitted with acatalytic converter. The engine produces 160 PS (118 kW; 158 bhp) and this model was built until July 1991. Another export-market special built during the same period was an uncatalyzed, fuel injected 112 PS (82 kW) 1.8-liter inline-four. A naturally aspirated, 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) 2.2E was also sold in some markets until late 1991, including the United Kingdom and Spain. In September 1990 the sporty S2 Coupé was introduced, followed one year later by a more luxury-oriented 2.8-liter V6 version. The Coupé received similar updates to the B4 Audi 80 and remained in production until December 1996. The Coupé did not have a direct replacement but was effectively succeeded by the first-generationAudi TT coupé (and roadster), sold between 1998 and 2006.
Audi offered a sports version of the Coupé called theAudi S2 from September 1990 until 1995, the first of Audi's long-running"S"-series of sporting derivatives of standard models. The S2 Coupé was meant to boost lagging sales of the Coupé and to partially replace the famousAudi Quattro. It featured the well-proven 2.2-litre in-line five-cylinder20-valveturbopetrol engine from the Audi 200 20V, and came standard withquattro permanent four-wheel drive. Audi also launched saloon and estate versions of the S2 in 1993, although these were only built in small numbers. The revised front end was similar to the design of theAudi V8 and became Audi's new corporate look.[13]
In 1989, for the 1990 model year, North America received the Coupé quattro. It was powered by a detuned 164 hp (122 kW; 166 PS) version of the 20-valve 2.3-litre five-cylinder engine and was originally only available with a five-speed manual transmission.[14] It was marketed in the "Grand Tourismo" (GT) style of a comfortable luxury car with sporting tendencies, as opposed to a dedicated lightweight sports car. Weighing 3,308 lb (1,500 kg) (1991 Coupé model) it was not a lightweight, especially in consideration of the 164 hp powerplant (slightly less than the European version). These models came standard with 15" 6-star "Speedline" wheels, leather interiors with Zebrano wood trim, additionalVDO gauges mounted in the bottom of thecentre console, acarbon fibre centre prop shaft, and push-button locking rear differential. The Coupé was only sold for two model years in the United States, 1990 and 1991, which it was discontinued due to slow sales.
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| Audi Cabriolet (Typ 8G) | |
|---|---|
 Audi Cabriolet (pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1991–2000 |
| Assembly | Germany:Ingolstadt (1991–1996) Germany:Osnabrück (Karmann: 1997–2000) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorconvertible |
| Layout | longitudinalfront engine,front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group B3 |
| Related | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,560 mm (100.8 in) |
| Length | 4,370 mm (172.0 in) |
| Width | 1,720 mm (67.7 in) |
| Height | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,370–1,430 kg (3,020–3,153 lb) |
TheAudi Cabriolet (Typ 8G) based on the B3 Coupé, was introduced in May 1991. As a result of the heavy and expensive re-engineering involved in creating acabriolet version, this model was produced up until the year 2000; long after the other B3 models had been replaced byB4 and evenB5 vehicles. It was the company's first soft-top since theAuto Union 1000 Sp of 1959. The Cabriolet featured the updated bonnet and rear light design among other styling features from the B3-based S2 Coupé. Initially only available with the 10-valve 2.3-litre inline-five, the 2.8-litre V6 was added for the US market, and the 2.0-litre inline-four and 2.6-litre V6 from the Coupé were added as options in 1993 in Europe. The 2.0-litre was later replaced in 1997 by the new 20-valve 1.8-litre inline-four from the newA4.[15] The rather heavy Cabriolet was solidly engineered to retain the structural strength of the Coupé, and its windscreen was reinforced to preclude the need for aroll bar. While under consideration, the Cabriolet was never offered with the quattro four-wheel drive system.[16] Final assembly was byKarmann inOsnabrück from 1997.[17][18]
A power operated soft top was not initially offered; it would only become available from mid-1992 when the car was to be introduced to the all-important American market.[19] In April 1997 the European market Cabriolet underwent a few minor yet visible touch-ups; such as gently redesigned bumpers incorporating lights from thePorsche 911 (993),projection lensheadlamps, as well as other minor changes. In addition to this facelift, a special edition was introduced for the European market under the nameSunline. Among other extras, it was equipped with all leather interior, air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, a power soft-top and a leather steering wheel. A 'Final Edition' with similar extras became available from 1999 until the end of production.
In November 1993, the 2.8-liter V6 equipped Cabriolet entered the US market, where it remained on sale until the end of the 1998 model year. Altogether, 5,445 were sold there over 5 years.[20]
A 4-seater mid-sized Audi convertible was not available again until 2002, when the B6-basedA4 Cabriolet (Typ 8H) was introduced.
Overall, a total of around 71,350 Cabriolets were built.[21]
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