Audi's GT50 Is Teleported From the 1980s, Has a Five-Cylinder Turbo Engine Under the Hood

Audi's five-cylinder engine is turning 50, and the firm is marking the milestone with a concept car featuring an updated version of the beloved engine under the hood.

The engine debuted back in 1976 with the second generation of the Audi 100, producing 134 horsepower (136 metric horsepower). It came with a unique firing order, going 1-2-4-5-3 and pouring out a signature soundtrack.

At some point during development, Audi did consider using a six-cylinder engine for the 100, internally known as Type 43, but eventually ruled it out due to space constraints and unfavorable weight distribution, making room for the five-cylinder. The fuel-injected 2.1-liter engine hit the market in March 1977.

By 1979, Audi had already launched the turbocharged version with 167 horsepower (170 metric horsepower) and 195 pound-feet (265 Newton meters) of torque, powering the then-new Audi 200 5T. 

Audi pushed it one step further in the 1980 Audi quattro, achieving 197 horsepower (200 metric horsepower) out of it. It was the engine that brought Audi the World Rally Championship title in 1982. One year later, with the same car, Finnish driver Hannu Mikkola won the Drivers’ championship title in the same competition.

In 1983, Audi came up with the most powerful car offered by a German automaker for use on public roads: the Audi Sport quattro had a five-cylinder engine that pumped out 302 horsepower (306 metric horsepower).

This is part of the story that inspired the creators of the GT50 concept car, the apprentices in Neckarsulm, Germany. It took them six months to complete under the supervision of their instructor and Timo Engler, Head of Automotive Technology, Logistics, and Business Management Training in Neckarsulm.

The concept car is underpinned by a stock RS3 sedan that they stripped down completely and replaced every single body panel with the ones built by them. That is how the concept ended up with a new front end, hood, doors, windows, trunk lid, headlights, and tailights. However, the concept car received the roof of an Audi 80. 

A very low stance makes the GT50 look as if it sweeps the ground with its belly. It rides on closed concave wheels, while the X-shaped lights are unlike anything we have seen from Audi up to this moment. Side exhaust tips, a custom-fabricated roll cage, and a stripped-down interior show it means business. Racing business, that is.

For the structure, they used lightweight glass fiber-reinforced plastic instead of the conventional sheet metal or carbon fiber. They came up with a large air diffuser and spoiler at the back for improved aerodynamics.

Audi claims its 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder sits under the hood but hasn't disclosed any performance numbers. So, we might as well go for the stock: the 2.5 TFSI produces 394 horsepower (400 metric horsepower) and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton meters) of torque when it operates under the hood of the RS3.

The RS3 does 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and maxes out at 186 mph (300 kph). However, considering the ultra-lightweight construction of the GT50 concept car, we'd dare count on improved numbers.