- Audi's iconic five-cylinder engine turns 50 years old in 2026.
- The engine debuted in the 1976 Audi 100 and would go on to feature in some of the most iconic race and rally cars of all time.
- The five-cylinder engine is likley to end production at the end of 2026 with the introduction of Euro 7 emission regulations.
Audi is set to celebrate its greatest engine next year, as the iconic five-cylinder hits its 50th birthday. The much-loved five-potter is deeply rooted in Audi DNA, and first made its appearance way back in 1976 in the second-generation Audi 100.
Why the unusual configuration? In the early 1970s, Audi engineers realised the existing four-cylinder engines just wouldn't cut it for the new, higher-market positioning of the Audi 100, and while six-cylinders were considered, they were ruled out due to space limitations and poor weight distribution.
The solution was the inline five-cylinder, based on the EA827 four-cylinder engine that would do duty in Volkswagens and Audis from the early 1970s right through to 2013. The new five-cylinder featured a displacement of 2144 cc and produced 100kW of power.
Pioneering upgrades came fast: a naturally aspirated diesel version arrived in 1978, and then, a major breakthrough in 1979 with the first five-cylinder gasoline engine featuring turbocharging, which generated 125kW in the Audi 200 5T.
The five-cylinder really earned its cult status in 1980, powering the original Audi Quattro. This combination of a turbocharged, intercooled engine and permanent all-wheel drive was a powerhouse on the road and on the track, racking up serious motorsport victories and helping Audi secure the World Rally Championship title in 1982, and the drivers’ title in 1983.
Its racing pedigree continued, most notably helping Walter Röhrl secure a victory at the challenging 1987 Pikes Peak hill climb. Audi also used the configuration for road-going cars like the 1989 Audi 100 TDI, which was a direct-injection five-cylinder turbo diesel.
While V6 engines briefly took over in the mid-1990s, the five-cylinder staged a triumphant return in the 2009 Audi TT RS and today, this tradition is proudly maintained by the 2.5 TFSI engine featured in the RS3 hatch and RS Q3 SUV. This latest version is more powerful than ever, pushing out 294kW and 500Nm of torque.
The engine's characteristic throaty and unmistakable sound that is so adored by its fans is created by the odd number of cylinders and the unique 1-2-4-5-3 firing sequence. This sequence fires cylinders that are both adjacent and further away at 144-degree intervals, giving the engine its specific character. The geometry of the exhaust manifold contributes to the unique sound as well with different exhaust gas flow times between the exhaust valves and the turbocharger.
While the idea of celebrating the 50th anniversary of such an iconic engine is nice and all, it is tinged with sadness, as 2026 is likely to be the last year of production for the five-cylinder with the introduction of Euro 7 emissions standard on the 29th of November that year effectively killing it off.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed the demise of the famed five-pot earlier this year saying "The five cylinder road will probably end with Euro 7". When asked whether it would be due to technical limitations on the engine, or if it was just too difficult with the incoming regulations, Döllner said it was "a question of scale and overall market demand".
The Audi five-cylinder's 50th year may well be its last, but at least we can enjoy the brilliant photo gallery of cars that have made use of it in that time that Audi recently released. Check it out below and soak up in the history!
