AUDI 100 CD

AUDI 100 CD

Ferdinand Piech, Audi’s chief engineer (and a member of a Porsche owning family), was firmly of the view in the late 1970’s that the way forward for the Audi was an emphasis on new technology. It was this vision that helped create such cars for the firm as the 100 CD, and fuelled the Audi’s strength in the eighties and nineties. Shortly after the pioneering Quattro model, Audi launched the slippery 100 saloon, and introduced the term ‘Cd’ to the car buying public. The Cd (drag coefficient) is a measurement of just how aerodynamic a car is. The figure of 0.30 was thought to have been an impracticable aim for a mainstream car. However, the 100 wore the achievement on its sleeve a small ‘Cd 0.30’ sticker appeared in the car’s rear quarter light and could be spotted by the eagle eyed. Audi’s engineers spent thousands of hours in the wind tunnel to lesson the drag, and the upshot was a car that long, wide and barrel sided. However, the 100 also benefited from some fine detail engineering, including flush fitting windows, and this helped bolster its appeal. The slick body and high gearing meant the 100 was fine motorway cruiser and was capable of excellent fuel economy. Like all Audi’s, although the vehicle was front wheel drive, the engine was placed lengthways in the nose.