From Audi Quattro Sport to Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.3-16 - the 1983 issue of Automobil Revue is available in the archive
The year 1983 was influenced by the burgeoning enthusiasm for performance and racing. Audi presented the Sport Quattro, Mercedes-Benz launched the Cosworth-powered 190 E 2.3-16, BMW installed the M1 engine in the 635 Coupé and Porsche showed a preview of the B 959 at the IAA.
And the presentation of the new Chevrolet Corvette, shown in No. AR 4/1983 of January 27, 1983, from page 3, also gave rise to much anticipation.
But the less performance-hungry, but more comfort-oriented and well-heeled public was also offered something, such as test drives with the various Rolls Royce and Bentley models - "Driving Days" in AR 25/1983 of June 16, 1983, on page 25.
Other new products in 1983 included: Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, Renault 11, Peugeot 205, Austin Maestro, Audi 100 Avant, Alfa Romeo 33, Fiat Uno Audi 200, Honda CRX, Pininfarina Spidereuropa with supercharger, Porsche 944 Turbo or, for example, the Renault R25.
Of course, Automobil Revue reported extensively on all these new models in 1983, but there was also a lot of driving and testing.
In AR 20/1983 from May 12, 1983, the findings from the test drive with the Jaguar XJ 6 4.2 were published on page 25.
AR 22/1983 of May 26, 1983 showed the results of the test of the Ford Sierra XR4i on page 17.
In AR 31/1983 from July 28, 1983, you could read from page 17 onwards how the Opel Monza 3.0 E performed.
The AR editors tested the Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 (with rubber spoiler on the rear) in AR 32/1983 from August 4, 1983, starting on page 17.
In AR 34/1983 from August 18, 1983, the driving performance of the Porsche 911 Cabrio could be read from page 17 onwards.
The AR testers were able to show the world record version of the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 in AR 36/1983 from September 1, 1983 on page 25.
In AR 36/1983 from September 15, 1983, the Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole was mentioned twice, on page 25 in the tough AR test and on page 59 in a comparison drive - 20 years difference - with the Ferrari 250 GTE from 1963!
But as always, Automobil Revue not only covered new products and consumer topics, but also cars from the past!
In AR 20/1983 of May 12, 1983, Automobil Revue gave impressions of the Lausanne GP on page 29, where beautiful classic racing cars were on display at a brisk pace.
In AR 35/1983, from August 25, 1983, the AR editors were given the opportunity to report on their driving experiences with Mercedes-Benz racing cars of the past (W 196, 300 SLR, 300 SE, 500 SL Rallye) from page 45 onwards.
In AR 39/1983 from September 22, 1983, "75 years of General Motors" was the topic from page 39 onwards.
And AR 52/1983 celebrated "50 years of Nissan and one million 'Z's" on page 23 on December 22, 1983.
A test drive with the 1933 Hispano-Suiza J12 was featured on page 19 of AR 51/1983 on December 15, 1983!
Technical topics were also a talking point in 1983, with Automobil Revue documenting the advent of increasingly complex electronics in AR 12/1983 of March 17, 1983, starting on page 47 under the title "Evolution of ignition systems".
And in AR 42/1983 of October 13, 1983, the reader was given a historical review starting on page 41 explaining how lead came into petrol.
The entire 1983 volume can be browsed here, but it is advisable to reserve a few hours for the almost 2,900 pages.
