Audi Marks 50 Years of the Five-Cylinder Engine with a Unique Concept Car
Despite an active transition to electric vehicles, Audi has reminded the world of its iconic technical heritage. Trainees at the brand’s training center in Neckarsulm have created the unique Audi GT50 concept car, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the inline five-cylinder engine.
This project continues the tradition of bold developments created by Audi trainees. Previously, they have presented projects such as the RS6 GTO concept, the electric A2, and a powerful electric car based on the NSU Prinz.
The History of an Engine That Became a Symbol
The inline five-cylinder engine first appeared in the Audi 100 in 1976. This unusual design combined the smooth operation of a six-cylinder unit with the simplicity of a four-cylinder. Over the decades, it has earned cult status and numerous victories, powering legendary models such as the original road and rally Quattro, as well as the 90 Quattro IMSA GTO and 200 Quattro Trans-Am racing cars.
The Last Defender of the Tradition
Although other manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Fiat, Volvo, and Volkswagen once experimented with five-cylinder engines, they long ago abandoned them. Today, within the Volkswagen Group, this engine is preserved only in the Audi RS3, which became the donor for the GT50 concept. Interestingly, the Cupra brand recently installed this engine in its Formentor crossover, and there are also rumors of its appearance in the future Volkswagen Golf R.
Design Inspired by Racing History
Based on the production RS3, the trainees created a car whose appearance is reminiscent of racing cars from the late 1980s. The GT50 features aggressive, “angular” shapes, aerodynamic elements, and massive wheels in the style of turbo fans. The front grille design references legendary models that competed in IMSA and Trans-Am races.
Technical Features and Future
Under the hood remains the standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 394 hp from the RS3. Engineers intentionally did not modify the powertrain, as it is the main tribute to history. However, enthusiasts are well aware that this engine is capable of developing almost 100 hp more through simple tuning.
This project, presented in a publication by the German news outlet Stimme, is perceived as a kind of prologue, a bright and nostalgic reminder that there is still life in the old “five-pot.”
The wider community expects Audi to soon present an even more extreme special version of the RS3, which could challenge the title of the most powerful hatchback in the fight with the Mercedes-AMG A45. The GT50 concept indicates that the brand does not forget its unique technologies even in the era of electrification, and that its engineering school continues to train talented specialists capable of creating bold projects. It also demonstrates how historical heritage can become a source of inspiration for future developments, even if they remain unique specimens.