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With the “Anniversary Dates 2025” booklet, Audi Tradition is showcasing the most important moments in the product and company history of Audi, which is as eventful as it is diverse. Audi historians have selected a total of 27 dates to commemorate in 2025.

Twenty-five years ago, the Audi A2 hit the market. With its aluminum body, it made a name for itself as a progressive compact car: light, aerodynamic, and economical. The Audi A2 polarized opinion with its design and unusual proportions; the concept was ahead of its time. However, sales remained below expectations, and Audi ended production after roughly five years and 176,377 units built. Since then, the A2 became a fan favorite and is now a sought-after collector’s item.

Sixty years ago, the first post–World War II Audi rolled off the production line. With the “Auto Union Audi” vehicle, Auto Union GmbH revived the tradition-steeped Audi brand name in 1965. The new name was meant to show that this car represented a fresh start for Auto Union in terms of technology. The Audi was the first car from the brand with four rings to feature a four-cylinder four-stroke engine, and it marked the beginning of a new era in Ingolstadt. Twenty years later, on January 1, 1985, Audi NSU Auto Union AG was renamed AUDI AG, and since that time, the company and its products have shared the same short, memorable name.

Ninety years ago, in February 1935, a spectacular attempt to break speed records took place in Italy. After test drives in October 1934 with the Grand Prix racing car on the AVUS in Berlin, the Auto Union racing department started developing the vehicle that would later be known as the “Lucca” car. Just a few weeks later, in December 1934, it was presented during initial test drives on the AVUS. The record attempts were planned in Hungary but were moved to Italy at the last minute due to bad weather. The one-kilometer and one-mile records were targeted to be broken with a flying start on a five-kilometer stretch between Pescia and Altopascio. Test drives took place on February 14, 1935, and the next day, on February 15, the car piloted by Hans Stuck performed as planned and was heralded the “world’s fastest road-going car.” With a speed of 326.975 km/h reached near Lucca, the vehicle broke 26 world records and 13 international class records.

The “Anniversary Dates 2025” booklet contains several additional anniversaries to discover, including 25 years of the first Audi victory at Le Mans and 25 years of Audi allroad quattro, 35 years of Audi duo hybrid vehicles, 40 years of fully galvanized bodies in large-scale automotive engineering, 50 years of the Audi 80 GTE, 55 years of the Audi 100 Coupé S, 60 years of the NSU Prinz 1000 TT and NSU Type 110, 75 years of the first post-war DKW passenger car, and 90 years of the Horch 850 series.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi is expanding its model range with a sporty coupé, the Q5 Sportback. With its progressive and dynamic silhouette, this derivative appeals to design-savvy customers who also desire the benefits of an SUV.

The Audi Q5 Sportback combines characteristics typical of an SUV, such as versatility and a spacious interior, with an even more dynamic silhouette. The unmistakable design exudes sportiness with its characteristic sloping rear and elegant lines. The second generation of the Q5 Sportback boasts a luggage capacity of up to 515 liters or up to 470 liters in the SQ5 Sportback1. When the rear row of seats is folded down, the storage space in the Q5 Sportback increases to up to 1,415 liters or 1,388 liters in the SQ5 Sportback1. The Q5 Sportback has a towing capacity of up to 2,400 kilograms.

Sporty design thanks to dynamic, sloping roofline

The design of the new Audi Q5 Sportback is sleeker compared to its predecessor. The broad Singleframe is high and flanked by vertical, functional air curtains. The razor-sharp, sculptural headlights lend the car a honed look. A large air intake below the Singleframe houses the sensors. A dynamic rising line runs from above the rocker panel across the wheel arches to the rear bumper, giving the vehicle a dynamic appearance even when stationary. The horizontal shoulder line connecting the front and rear lights rises slightly above the rear lights to visually support the roof arch with its flat rear window. The rear of the Q5 Sportback is visually stretched as far as possible, creating a roofline that slopes from the B-pillar.

This enhances the classic proportions of an SUV, creating an even more dynamic profile in the stylish Sportback form. Optional roof rails add utility value to the dynamic lines of the roof. The elegant rear window graphics also help to visually stretch the cabin.

With minimal lines, the rear has a crisp design. The smooth surface that flows from the rear window to the lower edge of the sculptural light strip is bordered by a sharp cut across the entire width of the vehicle. Below is an uncluttered, broad surface. A sporty, distinctive breakaway edge at the trunk lid completes the progressive design. The diffuser is integrated into the raised bumpers, creating an island effect. Below are the tailpipes, while the S model features the iconic twin round tailpipes in a new, sharpened design.

Exterior advanced comes as standard in the Q5 Sportback

The Q5 Sportback is available in two versions: exterior advanced and S line. In addition, the SQ5 Sportback1 has its own distinctive exterior. Compared to the base version, the exterior of the advanced version features dynamic elements with stylish accents. For example, the radiator grille and the inlays in the front air intake come in Scandium Gray, with a contrasting bottom line in Tambora Gray. The diffuser is finished in a grained matte black, and the rear inlays are in Selenite Silver. 18-inch light-alloy five-arm twist wheels are included.

The S line exterior and S model have larger front air intakes and a sportier rear diffuser. The Singleframe is surrounded by a chrome-look frame in matte Anthracite (S line exterior) and matte Silver (S model). Large L-wing-shaped side aero tubes accentuate the sporty ambitions of the Q5. On the S model, the Singleframe is further emphasized by vertical chrome-look L-wing ornaments in matte Silver. The chrome-look rocker panel trim in matte Anthracite on the S line exterior and chrome-look matte Silver on the S model further contribute to the dynamic character. The window trim comes in an aluminum look as standard. The second-generation digital OLED rear lights and the new projection light in the spoiler above the rear window enhance safety. The latter projects a graphic onto the top of the rear window, increasing the size of the brake light area.

Complementing the exterior: the interior design philosophy

The interior of the new Q5 Sportback is systematically tailored to the needs of the occupants and epitomizes the new Audi design philosophy. Material properties were considered at a very early stage in the design, and together with the Audi MMI panoramic display and the MMI passenger display, form a visually distinct digital stage. The high-contrast interior design purposefully places elements in the foreground or background, creating a three-dimensional spatial architecture that blends aesthetics with ergonomics. The interior has a markedly cozy ambiance. The “Softwrap” extends from the doors through the entire cockpit to the center console, creating a homogeneous and welcoming sense of space. In addition to being user-focused, the interior is sustainable. Materials such as Cascade upholstery and Dinamica microfiber are primarily made from recycled polyester, demonstrating Audi is also committed to using resources sustainably and efficiently in the Q5 Sportback.

State-of-the-art combustion model with MHEV plus

The new Audi Q5 Sportback is based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), a platform architecture for conventionally powered vehicles with longitudinal combustion engines. It comes equipped at market launch with highly efficient MHEV plus technology. The new 48-volt MHEV plus electrical system supports the combustion engine and reduces carbon emissions while increasing performance and driving comfort. The vehicle is also capable of limited all-electric maneuvering and parking.

The new powertrain generator (PTG) generates additional torque of up to 230 Nm and 18 kW (24 PS). What’s more, the 48-volt electrical system enables the use of an electric air conditioning compressor. This ensures the AC continues operating at full power, maintaining a comfortable interior temperature even when the engine is switched off, such as when coasting or at a red light.

The lithium-ion battery for vehicles with MHEV plus is based on lithium ferro-phosphate chemistry and boasts a storage capacity of 1.7 kWh. The primary function of the belt alternator starter (BAS) is to start the engine and supply electrical power to the battery. The BAS enables stretches of electric driving, relieves the combustion engine, and helps reduce consumption. During braking, the BAS returns energy to the battery (recuperation) with up to 25 kW of power. In this way, the Premium Platform Combustion enables partial electrification in the form of mild hybrids. Later in the Audi Q5 Sportback lifecycle, plug-in hybrids will be available with a large battery and external charger.

In Europe, the Audi Q5 Sportback will be available with three engines at market launch, with further drive variants to follow. Initially, all versions come equipped with MHEV plus technology, which briefly generates up to 18 kW (24 PS) of additional power. All models in the series also use the S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The entry-level engine is a 2.0 TFSI with 150 kW (204 PS) and 340 Nm of maximum torque and front-wheel drive. Optionally, quattro all-wheel drive is available. With the 2.0 TDI, the Audi Q5 Sportback is available as generation EA288 evo. It has an output of 150 kW (204 PS) and 400 Nm of torque and is only available with quattro drive. As the top model in the series, the Audi SQ5 Sportback1 will be available at launch. The V6 TFSI with three liters of displacement has an output of 270 kW (367 PS) and a maximum torque of 550 Nm.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

1. Audi SQ5 Sportback: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.8–8.1 (26.7–29.0 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 199–184 (320.3–296.1 g/mi); CO2 class: G

Audi and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) team up to accelerate the preparation for the Formula 1 entry of the four rings in 2026. QIA, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, has signed definitive agreements to acquire a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the future factory team of Audi.

With this strategic investment QIA will enter the Audi Formula 1 project as a long-term investor and partner.

QIA’s investment will provide a substantial capital injection and pave the way for increasing infrastructure and team buildout, positioning the team for long-term success in Formula 1. The investment is consistent with QIA’s focus on investments with long-term growth potential. 

Formula 1 is a fast-growing sport with significant upside potential through continued global expansion, deeper fan engagement and significant commercialisation potential. Audi will officially enter Formula 1 with a factory team with the change of the technical regulations in 2026. 

Both facilities in Neuburg and Hinwil are further ramping up to meet the standards needed on the road to success. With the recent announcement of Gabriel Bortoleto (20) who will race alongside Nico Hülkenberg (37), the program has taken the next important step. The announcement of the complete takeover of Sauber in March and the appointment of Mattia Binotto as CTO and COO of the project and Jonathan Wheatley as team principal from the middle of next year are expressions of the determination of the Audi brand. The investment will add to a list of important milestones in the near future.

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG: “The investment by QIA reflects the trust and confidence the Audi F1 Project has already garnered, underscoring unwavering commitment of Audi to the initiative. This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone on our long-term strategy. QIA’s involvement further energizes the dedicated efforts at both the Hinwil and Neuburg facilities as they work towards the entry of Audi in 2026.”

Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QIA: “Audi is a premium partner of choice with a rich motorsport legacy. As a long-standing investor in the Volkswagen Group, we believe in Audi’s vision and direction when entering Formula 1 and our investment will support the realization of this goal. QIA believes that Formula 1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential. The increasing commercialization of professional sports as an entertainment offering globally, and the increasingly global popularity of Formula 1, has made for an exciting opportunity for our first major motorsports investment.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

A super sports car legend takes its leave: In its 17 years, the Audi R8 has captured hearts and celebrated just as many successes. After 45,949 units produced, the final R8 rolled off the line at Böllinger Höfe in March 2024. A look back at an unparalleled success story. 

Breathtaking design, a tantalizing engine sound, and driving dynamics like no other road-legal Audi ever offered: When it was unveiled in 2006, the R8 was a revolution – in Germany and around the world. A mid-engine super sports car; never before had Audi offered such a vehicle. With the R8, Audi moved into more exclusive segments previously dominated by brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini.

The Audi R8 was developed and built by the former quattro GmbH (today: Audi Sport GmbH). It immediately became the sporty icon in the company’s product portfolio and continues to contribute to the exclusive image of the Audi brand to this day. The R8 name refers to a successful race car that brought Audi more wins at Le Mans than any other manufacturer in history: In 1999, Audi launched its legendary Le Mans program with a sports prototype that started in the LMP900 class. The first name of this racing prototype was R8. It won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005, making it the Le Mans sports car with the most victories in modern history. The prototype claimed more victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a race in the USA, which it won every year from 2000 to 2005. With these victories, Audi increased its prestige in international racing and laid the foundation for the road-legal R8 super sports car.

The Audi Le Mans quattro as a preview of the R8

The Audi Le Mans quattro provided a first taste of the series product. First unveiled at the 2003 International Motor Show, the concept car was conceived as a “high-performance sports car suitable for everyday driving, a car that makes no compromises on comfort and user-friendliness,” according to Bernhard Voll, the project’s technical director.

The exterior design of the Le Mans quattro came from designer Frank Lamberty, who still designs exciting vehicles at Audi to this day. He puts the requirements for a high-performance sports car suitable for everyday driving in this way: “In the Le Mans quattro, you can drive record laps on the track just as easily as you can parallel park in front of the hairdresser’s. That made it quite a challenge for us.”

The technical basis of the Le Mans quattro was the Lamborghini Gallardo. The Le Mans quattro marked several technological milestones, such as LED headlights, the carbon fiber Audi Space Frame, the digital cockpit display, and Audi magnetic ride adaptive suspension. An absolute highlight was the double-turbocharged 5.0-liter V10 with gasoline direct injection. It had an output of 610 PS and a maximum torque of 750 Nm, making it a real automotive heavyweight.

World premiere of the first Audi R8 in 2006

The first generation of the Audi R8 celebrated its world premiere at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, where its resemblance to the Le Mans quattro was almost perfect. However, there were some technical differences to the concept car.

The first-generation production car used a 4.2-liter V8 FSI mid-engine mounted behind the passenger compartment. The engine had an output of 420 PS (later: 430 PS), and except for using dry sump lubrication, which is more suitable for the racetrack, it was almost identical to the engine from the then-current Audi RS 4 (B7). Later, a V10 variant with a maximum output of 570 PS was added, which used the 5.2-liter aspirated engine from the Group’s sister model, the Lamborghini Gallardo.

For the suspension, Audi used the then-new Audi magnetic ride, which allows the driver to tighten the shock absorbers at the push of a button. The shock absorbers use a synthetic hydrocarbon oil containing microscopic magnetic particles in the pistons. When the magnetic coils are activated – which was the case in sport mode – the particles in the piston chambers align themselves perpendicular to the oil’s direction of flow, obstructing the flow.

The first-generation R8 initially featured a manual transmission with an open gearbox. The all-wheel quattro drive transferred power to all four wheels, with a maximum of 30 percent going to the front axle. Other transmission options included the R-Tronic, an automatic transmission, and the S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission from 2012. What’s more, in 2008, the R8 became the first car available with full LED headlights. In 2009, Audi added an open variant to the Coupé, the R8 Spyder.

All Audi R8 models were built at the Böllinger Höfe plant – largely by hand. Audi built the plant near the Neckarsulm site specifically for its first super sports car.

Special models and concept cars

The first-generation R8 continued to captivate fans long after its premiere, thanks partly to several special models and concept cars. The most well-known special models are the Audi R8 GT Coupé and the R8 Gt Spyder with an aspirated V10 engine upgraded with 560 PS. The models weighed around 100 kilograms less than the standard R8 V10 models and were designed much more for use on the racetrack. For instance, they featured roll bars and a firefighting system. Both the Coupé and the Spyder variants were limited to 333 units.

One concept car that never made it to series production was the R8 with a turbocharged V12 diesel engine; the R8 V12 TDI concept. Background: In the 2010s, Audi was successful at Le Mans with the R10 TDI and wanted to establish diesel technology for sports cars, which had not existed until then. With 500 PS and a maximum torque of 1,000 Nm, the concept went from zero to 100 km/h in about four seconds – with an average consumption of less than ten liters.

The final evolution of the first-generation R8 was the Audi R8 LMX, a special edition released in 2014 that was limited to 99 units and – like the R8 GT a few years earlier – was inspired by racing. With 570 PS, the R8 LMX raced from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, making it the fastest Audi production car at the time.

Another unique feature was the laser high beams, which the R8 LMX was the first production car to use. A laser module in each headlight generated a light beam with twice the illumination range of full LED headlights.

In eight years, Audi produced just over 26,000 units of the first R8 at the Neckarsulm plant.

The Audi R8 as a movie star

Thanks to its movie-star looks and Hollywood flair, the Audi R8 was featured in numerous blockbusters. The R8 made its most famous cameo as the companion of Marvel hero Tony Stark, alter ego Iron Man. In all three movies, Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., drove a first-generation Audi R8; in the third installment, it was an electric R8 e-tron.

The second-generation R8 also starred in Marvel movies, such as “Captain America: Civil War” in 2016 and “Spider-Man: Homecoming” in 2017.

In the 2004 sci-fi thriller “I, Robot,” the main character, Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, drove a super sports car whose basic shape was reminiscent of the Audi R8. The futuristic sports car was an Audi RSQ Concept, designed for the movie by Audi’s design team and then Head of Design Walter De Silva.

Second-generation R8 unveiled in 2015

At the Geneva International Motor Show in 2015, Audi presented the successor to the R8, which had already made its mark in the super sports car world. Like the first generation, the new R8's primary features were based on a Lamborghini, the 2014 Huracán.

In terms of its appearance, the R8 was an evolution of the previous model. The distinguishing features remained the front with the new full LED headlights and the characteristic side blades. The new design was much more angular and harmonious than the first generation.

What characterized the second generation above all was the V10 engine from Lamborghini. In both versions, the R8 used the aspirated engine with two output levels, 540 or 610 PS, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 610 PS R8 went from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, with a 330 km/h top speed. Before the 2019 model update, the new R8 also transferred power to all four wheels via quattro all-wheel drive.

For the first time also with rear-wheel drive

However, one thing about the second generation was new to road-legal Audis: With the R8 V10 RWS, Audi offered a rear-wheel-only variant that was slightly lighter than the all-wheel version for the first time in the company’s history.

Following the 2019 facelift, a 570 PS version of the V10 engine became available, while the all-wheel-drive Audi R8 V10 Performance was upgraded to 620 PS. Customers could choose between different all-wheel and rear-wheel drive variants.

The Audi R8 V10 GT RWD was a true track specialist. It was a rear-wheel drive special model limited to 333 units with a host of aerodynamic features, including a front splitter, flics, and a large rear wing. With an output of 620 PS, the R8 V10 GT RWD remains the most powerful rear-wheel drive Audi of all time.

Series of global wins in customer racing

The sports car delighted fans off the road as well. Based on both generations of the Audi R8, Audi Sport built 454 racecars for the newly established customer racing area in 2009. Of these, 313 were the GT3 variant, which dominated the sports car sector. Customer teams from Audi Sport customer racing claimed victory at no fewer than seven 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and 11 additional overall victories at international 24-hour races.

With the differentiation for the GT3, GT2, and GT4 categories, Audi was a formidable force in championships worldwide, with teams in America, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africa celebrating 368 championship titles in 16 years. The GT racecars have helped Audi sharpen its sporty profile, giving the public a chance to experience the brand on the racetrack and continue to be fast and famous ambassadors of the Audi brand in private use.

On March 22, 2024, the final Audi R8 was built at Böllinger Höfe. The R8 in Vegas Yellow is destined for the hallowed halls of the Audi Museum in Ingolstadt.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

1. Audi R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (62.1 mi) - NEDC; 15.0 - 14.9 (15.7 – 15.8 US mpg) (WLTP); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: - NEDC; 341 - 339 (548.8 – 545.6 g/mi) (WLTP)Only consumption and emissions values are only available according to WLTP and not according to NEFZ for this vehicle

2. Audi R8 Coupé V10 performance quattro: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 13.1 (18 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 297 (478 g/mi) Information on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as well as efficiency classes in ranges depending on the tires and alloy wheel rims used