With the special exhibition "From zero to 100", the Audi museum mobile presents one of the most exciting moments in the history of Audi AG: the company's rise to the upper mid-size class with the Audi 100. 15 special variants of this historic model, which the brand first presented 50 years ago, await visitors until June 24, 2018.
The Audi 100 won the "Golden Steering Wheel" five times, the "Car of the Year" title twice and was once named "World Car of the Year" by automotive journalists. A total of 3.2 million units sold underline the model's success. The premiere of the Audi 100 in 1968 was preceded by an eventful history, as its development began in secret.
In the mid-1960s, Volkswagen AG took over Auto Union GmbH and prohibited the company from developing new models. Ludwig Kraus, then Technical Director of Auto Union GmbH, ignored this requirement to only support existing models. Kraus wanted to add a mid-range model to the Audi brand, which had been revived in 1965. He saw this as the only chance of survival for an independent Auto Union GmbH at a time when VW Beetles were rolling off the production line at the Ingolstadt plant. Kraus developed the concept without Volkswagen's knowledge, then presented the study and received the green light from Wolfsburg. Within a very short time, the capacity limits in Ingolstadt were reached, which is why Auto Union relocated the entire production of the Audi 100 to the Neckarsulm plant as early as 1970. The company sold 800,000 units of the very first series.
A car from this model generation can be seen in the special exhibition "From zero to 100", as well as 14 other variants from the various series, including the Audi 100 Cabrio from 1969, the Audi 100 C1 electric car from 1976 and the Audi research car from 1981. They also shed light on previously lesser-known facets of the model and showcase pioneering design and technical innovations. Highlights of the Audi 100 include the world's best aerodynamic value at the time, the first fully galvanized body in a mid-size saloon and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.
Also on display is the Audi Duo, which had an electric motor on board in addition to its 136 hp five-cylinder engine and is regarded as Audi's first hybrid car. The Four Rings presented this study based on the Audi 100 at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1990. Since 1995, the Audi A6 has continued the success story of the Audi 100. An Audi A6 2.8 quattro from the first series forms the conclusion of the new special exhibition "From zero to 100".
The Audi museum mobile at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt is open daily from Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
