Segment: Lower Premium
Production years: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
Audi was not yet considered a premium carmaker back in the mid-'80s when it introduced the facelifted version of the 80, but it did a marketing stunt that worked.
The German carmaker struggled hard to catch its main German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Its advantage was slim since most customers were stuck with the idea that a premium car had to have a rear-wheel-drive system. Audi came with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which proved to be a better idea, especially on loose surfaces. It already proved its value in rally-racing, but it was not a regular feature on production vehicles. The carmaker already had the 80 model, but that was not a serious contender for the BMW 3-Series or 190 E.
After the facelift, the 90 became easier to recognize than its 80 sibling. It sported a specific front fascia with two rectangular headlamps and a wrapped-around plastic bumper that featured standard parking and fog lights. At the back, the car featured larger taillights, which resembled those installed on the 100 model.
Inside, the carmaker installed a rectangular-shaped instrument cluster inspired by the Audi Quattro Coupe. Its center stack featured the climate controls above the stereo-cassette player and under the dual center vents. Its sport bucket seats featured bolstered areas. It was a sport sedan, and it wasn't afraid to show it.
Audi installed under the 90's hood only inline-five engines, resembling the one installed in the rally car. The top-spec version featured a turbocharged unit, while Mercedes-Benz and BMW were still relying on their naturally aspirated powerplants.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 3AT FWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 1994 cm3 |
Power: | 84.6 KW @ 5400 RPM 115 HP @ 5400 RPM 113 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 165 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 3-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 175.8 in (4465 mm) |
Width: | 66.2 in (1681 mm) |
Height: | 53.7 in (1364 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.9/55.9 in (1,394/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.9 in (2537 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 19.1 cuFT (541 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2381 lbs (1080 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3351 lbs (1520 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.3 mpg US (11.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 1994 cm3 |
Power: | 84.6 KW @ 5400 RPM 115 HP @ 5400 RPM 113 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 165 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 116 mph (187 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 175.8 in (4465 mm) |
Width: | 66.2 in (1681 mm) |
Height: | 53.7 in (1364 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.9/55.9 in (1,394/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.9 in (2537 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 19.1 cuFT (541 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2337 lbs (1060 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3351 lbs (1520 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.6 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 28.7 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 3AT FWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2226 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5700 RPM 136 HP @ 5700 RPM 134 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 137 lb-ft @ 5700 RPM 186 Nm @ 5700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 122 mph (196 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 3-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 175.8 in (4465 mm) |
Width: | 66.2 in (1681 mm) |
Height: | 53.7 in (1364 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.9/55.9 in (1,394/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.9 in (2537 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 19.1 cuFT (541 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2337 lbs (1060 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3351 lbs (1520 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.3 mpg US (12.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.3 mpg US (9.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.5 mpg US (9.6 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 5MT FWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2226 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5700 RPM 136 HP @ 5700 RPM 134 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 137 lb-ft @ 5700 RPM 186 Nm @ 5700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/60 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 175.8 in (4465 mm) |
Width: | 66.2 in (1681 mm) |
Height: | 53.7 in (1364 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.9/55.9 in (1,394/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.9 in (2537 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 19.1 cuFT (541 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2337 lbs (1060 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3351 lbs (1520 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 254 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L quattro 5MT AWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2226 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5700 RPM 136 HP @ 5700 RPM 134 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 137 lb-ft @ 5700 RPM 186 Nm @ 5700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/60 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 175.8 in (4465 mm) |
Width: | 66.2 in (1681 mm) |
Height: | 53.7 in (1364 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.9/55.9 in (1,394/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.9 in (2537 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 19.1 cuFT (541 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2646 lbs (1200 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3660 lbs (1660 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18.2 mpg US (12.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |