The Audi 100 (C1) was secretly developed by former Mercedes engineer Ludwig Kraus, who remained with Auto Union when the company was sold to Volkswagen in 1965. Although the new owners (Volkswagen) were initially opposed to the idea of developing new models in Ingolstadt, they gave in to the design prototype. The machine got a name 100, because the cars engine was able to produce just that much horsepower. The Audi 100 sedan used a completely new 1.8L engine with a power range between 80 and 100 horsepower. This power plant was helped by a 4-speed manual transmission. The Audi 100 proved to be a very successful model. 

Audi NSU Ro80 is a four-door sedan produced in 1967-1977. It was one of the more sensational-looking cars ever produced. A car that still looks amazingly modern after five decades. It wasn’t revolutionary just for its looks, the name “Ro” indicated that the engine was a Wankel engine with twin rotors developing 114 horsepower with amazing smoothness. The Ro80’s innovation didn’t end with its engine. The Wankel engine was mated to a semi-automatic transmission. A microswitch attached to the gear level, which acted as a clutch, made it a two-pedal car. Four-wheel disc brakes, power-steering and advanced alloy wheel design – all together it made this a truly exceptional car. In 1968 NSU Ro 80 was the European Car of the Year.

The Audi 80 came out in 1972. The Audi 80 (B1) was only the second Audi of the modern era, developed entirely by Volkswagen. Audi chief engineer Ludwig Kraus had despised the outgoing F103 series and called it a “bastard” because it had an Auto Union/DKW body and a Mercedes-Benz engine. The Audi 80 (B1) was equipped with a new 1.3- and 1.5-litre SOHC four-line petrol engine – the first appearance of the legendary EA827 series engines. The descendants of this engine are still used in Volkswagen Group vehicles today. The direct successor to the Audi 80 today is the Audi A4.

Audi Coupe S is a sporty Grand Tourer class car that was unveiled for the first time at the 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show. This elegant two-door coupe was Audi’s most modern model after the war. Its features are similar to the Aston Martin DBS which was produced at the same time. Mechanically, the car was similar to the Audi 100 sedan, but this was available in a 115-horsepower version with ventilated front disc brakes and upgraded interior. The Audi Coupe S is the predecessor of the well-known Audi A7.

The first post-war Audi was created in 1965 with a 4-stroke engine developed for military use by DKW F102 and Mercedes, which Auto Union brought into series production. Auto Union Audi appeared to the public at the 1965 International Motor Show, originally under the simple model name “Audi”. The Audi 60 was introduced in 1968 and quickly became a large-scale model. By 1972, nearly 220 000 units had been built. The layout of the Audi 60 engine paved the way for many subsequent Audi models.