The series has survived this hurdle and remained popular with 18 Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class contesting the present series.

Audi will switch from their A4 model and use the A5, Mercedes will use the Coupe version of their C-Class and BMW have announced their addition to the competition with their M3 Coupe.

Audi has yet to produce a hardtop convertible as of 2011, since they include quattro as standard equipment in their convertibles ( after the discontinuation of the 2007 Audi A4 2. 0T cabriolet ) which already adds extra weight.

A version manufactured by ZF is also being offered on the latest Audi S4 and Audi A4.

* 2013 Audi A4

* 2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet

It was based on the Volkswagen Group A4 ( PQ34 ) platform and, as such, shared many components in common with other VW Group models such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, Bora and Audi A3.

* B5 platform, the series designator for Audi A4 from 1994 – 2001

Its PL45 platform was shared with the first-generation " Typ 8D " Audi A4, which was unveiled 2 years earlier, and saw a return to the Passat sharing its platform with Audi's equivalent model for the first time since the second-generation ( B2 ) Passat, which shared its platform with the second-generation " Typ 81 " Audi 80 / Audi 90 ( the A4 is the successor to the Audi 80 line ).

The 1. 8 litre petrol engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine ( 4. 6 quarts in transverse, 4. 3 quarts longitudinal ), and may suffer from oil sludge problems as a result, if not changed at regular intervals with fully synthetic oils.

Unlike its predecessor, the B6 Passat no longer shared its platform with Audi's equivalent model ( the Audi A4 ).

Audi has, since 2000, offered a chain-type CVT ( multitronic ) as an option on some of its larger-engine models, for example the A4 3. 0 L V6.

After the A4, the Audi A3 was the second model in the Audi lineup to use five valves per cylinder.

Codenamed R17, the Audi A5 DTM is a race car designed for the DTM beginning in year 2012, replacing the Audi A4 DTM.

The Golf VII, Typ 5G will use the new MQB platform, shared with the new Audi A3, new SEAT León and upcoming Škoda Octavia.

It shared the internal designation Typ 86 with the Audi 50.

The Touareg ( internally designated Typ 7L ) was a joint venture project developed by Volkswagen Group, Audi, and Porsche.

Audi redesigned the 80 on the B2 platform ( Typ 81 ) in 1978 in Europe, and in 1979 ( as a 1980 model ) in North America.

Mid-1984, for the 1985 model year, Audi gave the B2 a subtle facelift with tail lights resembling the ones of the Typ 44 Audi 100, and different front and rear bumpers and headlights and an updated interior.

In September 1986, Audi released a new Typ 89 Audi 80 for the 1987 model year on the European market and introduced it elsewhere within a year.

Although often called the B3 even among knowledgeable Audi enthusiasts, the official and correct nomenclature was its production code Typ 89 from 1987 to 1989, and Typ 8A from 1990 onwards.

The original A3 ( or Typ 8L ) was introduced in the European market in 1996, marking Audi's return to the production of smaller cars following the demise of the Audi 50.

The Audi A2 ( internally designated Typ 8Z ) is a compact MPV-styled supermini, and a five-door hatchback with four or five seats., produced by the German automaker Audi AG from November 1999 to 2005.

* Typ 8X ; internal designation for Audi A1

The Audi A8 ( Typ 4D ) debuted in Europe in 1994, with factory production commencing June 1994, although it was not until the 1997 model year that it became available in North America.

The first generation Audi A4 ( known internally as the Typ 8D ) debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994.

The Audi 50 ( known internally as the Typ 86 ) is a supermini economy car produced by German automaker Audi from 1974 to 1978 and sold only in Europe.

* Audi A4 ( Typ 8E / 8H ( saloon: 8E2, Avant: 8E5 ) / 8H7 ( Cabriolet ), 2001 – 2005 )

* Audi S4 ( Typ 8E / 8H ( saloon: 8E2, Avant: 8E5 ) / 8H7 ( Cabriolet ), 2003 – 2005 )

* Audi S4 ( Typ 8E2 ( saloon ), 8E5 ( Avant ), 8H7 ( Cabriolet ), 2006 – 2008 )

* Audi RS4 quattro ( Typ 8E2 ( saloon ), 8E5 ( Avant ), 8H7 ( Cabriolet ), 2006 – 2008 )

In 1980, a German car maker, Audi, at that time not noted for their interest in rallying, introduced a rather large and heavy coupé version of their family saloon, installed a turbocharged 2. 1 litre five-cylinder engine, and fitted it with four-wheel drive.

In 1977, the Derby saloon was released, which was simply a Polo, identical to the hatchback from the C-pillar forward, with a large boot attached ( an Audi proposal which was never sold by them ).

* Audi V8, a 1988 large luxury saloon / sedan

As the successor to the Audi 100, the A6 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany – and is available in saloon, and wagon configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant.

At the time it was the first Passat to be built on a Volkswagen-designed platform, rather than sharing one with an Audi saloon.

Audi followed up the introduction of the four-door saloon in November 1968 with a two-door saloon in October 1969 and the 100 Coupé S in autumn 1970.

This model debuted in Europe in 1972 ( with factory production starting in May 1972 ) as the Audi 80, and in 1973 in Australia and the United States as the Audi Fox, and was available as either a two-door or a four-door saloon ( sedan ).

The 5 + 5 was essentially an 80 B2 four-door saloon with the 2, 144 cc five-cylinder engine, the precursor to what would become the Audi 90.

The diesel saloon even won a CAR magazine ' giant test ' against the Citroën BX ( 1. 8 XUDT ), the then new Peugeot 405 ( 1. 8 XUDT ) and Audi 80 ( 1. 6 ) turbo diesels.

The original Audi S4, built from 1991 until 1994, was a performance-oriented version of Audi's 100 saloon / sedan.

1994 Audi C4 S4 saloon, showing the five arm alloy wheels ( U. S .) This car preceded the S6.

It was based on the C6 Audi A6, and uses the Volkswagen Group C6 platform, and is available in saloon / sedan and Avant ( estate / wagon ) bodystyles.

It has been used for saloon cars / sedans, estate cars / station wagon, and coupés-under the Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT and Škoda marques over the years.