}} The third generation
Audi 100 launched in September 1982 with
aerodynamic styling, contrasting the boxy styling of its predecessor, and offering a much improved
drag coefficient, 0.30 on base model. The aerodynamic C3 bodywork featured pin-mounted flush windows, offering a key reduction in aerodynamic
drag. Altogether, the aerodynamic body increased the fuel efficiency and top speed versus other cars of similar engine size. The C3 introduced Audi's proprietary restraint system, marketed as
procon-ten. Two-door models were no longer offered, and the Audi 100 Avant was now positioned as a
station wagon rather than a hatchback - the
Avant designation would be used for all Audi station wagons from that point forward. The Avant featured an available extra folding third row seat — not available in conjunction with ABS-brakes as the brake control unit sat in the same space. The 200, launched in 1983 continued as the upmarket variant with several versions of the 2.2 L turbo 5-cylinder available in different markets over its life ranging in power outputs from MC engine, through the versions to the final 20-valve 3B engine available from 1991. The 1983 Audi 200 Turbo had a top speed of . The MC turbo engine was available in the 100 as well for some markets. In January 1988 the Audi 100 received a minor facelift, including flush fitting door handles. The 1991 200 20V featured flared (vs. flat) front and rounded rear wheel arches to accommodate wider wheel and tire combinations to be fitted to 20V models. U.S. magazine articles of the period reported 0-60 times of the 20-valve Audi 200 under 7 seconds, with 1/4 mile times in the mid to upper 15 second mark. The Audi 100 also featured the first model to wear the TDI label, a 2.5 L straight-five direct injection turbo-diesel (TDI) model with introduced in January 1990 (engine code 1T). It had a very brief career in the C3, being replaced in December of that year with the arrival of the C4. The
Audi V8 used an enlarged version of the bodyshell from the Audi 100/200 C3 but received more luxury features and a V8 engine.
Reported sudden unintended acceleration During model years 1983–1987, Audi's U.S. sales fell after several recalls of Audi 5000 models, which were associated with reported incidents of
sudden unintended acceleration linked to six deaths and 700 accidents. In North America, the
CBS television broadcast network
60 Minutes news program aired a report titled
Out of Control on November 23, 1986. It featured interviews with six people who had sued Audi after reporting unintended acceleration, including footage of an Audi 5000 ostensibly displaying a surge of acceleration while the brake pedal was depressed. Subsequent investigation revealed that
60 Minutes had not disclosed they had engineered the vehicle's behaviorfitting a canister of compressed air on the passenger-side floor, to pump fluid via a hose to a hole drilled into the transmission Audi initially responded by suggesting that the drivers of the cars involved in the incidents were at fault, because they had depressed the accelerator pedal rather than the brake. CBS acknowledged the report and stressed its findings that "the problem could be aggravated by vehicle design, the shape, location and feel of gas and brake pedals." In a review study published in 2012, NHTSA summarized its past findings about the Audi unintended acceleration problems: "Once an unintended acceleration had begun, in the Audi 5000, due to a failure in the idle-stabilizer system (producing an initial acceleration of 0.3g), pedal misapplication resulting from panic, confusion, or unfamiliarity with the Audi 5000 contributed to the severity of the incident." This summary is consistent with the conclusions of NHTSA's most technical analysis at the time: "Audi idle-stabilization systems were prone to defects which resulted in excessive idle speeds and brief unanticipated accelerations of up to 0.3g [which is similar in magnitude to an emergency stop in a subway car]. These accelerations could not be the sole cause of [(long-duration) sudden acceleration incidents (SAI)], but might have triggered some SAIs by startling the driver. The defective idle-stabilization system performed a type of
electronic throttle control. Significantly: multiple "intermittent malfunctions of the electronic control unit were observed and recorded ... and [were also observed and] reported by Transport Canada." The NHTSA's findings have been "small solace for Audi in defense of product liability actions, as more and more successful cases used Audi's human factor design errors and failure to warn or recall as a basis for liability."
Engines The engine range comprised the following engines: More details under the
discontinued VAG engines. Audi 100: • 1.8 L I-4, , carbureted (1982−1987) • 1.8 L I-4, , carbureted, later fuel injected/with catalyst (1983−1990) • 1.9 L I-5, , carbureted (1982−1984) • 2.0 L I-5, , fuel injection, later catalyst (1984−1990) • 2.1 L I-5, , fuel injection (1982−1984) • 2.2 L I-5, , fuel injection (1984−1990) • 2.2 L I-5, , fuel injection, catalyst (1984−1987) • 2.3 L I-5, , fuel injection, catalyst (1986−1990) • 2.2 L I-5, , fuel injection, turbo, catalyst (1986−1990) • 2.0 L I-5 Diesel, (1982−1989) • 2.0 L I-5 Turbodiesel, (1983−1988) • 2.0 L I-5 Turbodiesel, (1988−1989) • 2.4 L I-5 Diesel, (1989−1990) • 2.5 L I-5 TDI, (1990) Audi 200: • 2.1 L I-5, , fuel injection (1983−1984) • 2.2 L I-5, , fuel injection (1984−1985) • 2.2 L I-5, , fuel injection, turbo, catalyst (1985−1991) • 2.1 L I-5, , fuel injection, turbo (1983−1987) • 2.2 L I-5, , fuel injection, turbo (1988−1990); with automatic transmission • 2.2 L I-5, , 20-valve turbo for 200 Quattro 20V (1989−1991) Audi 5000/100/200 North America (all fuel injected and catalysed): • 2.1 L I-5, (MY 1984) • 2.2 L I-5, (MY 1985) • 2.2 L I-5, (MY 1986−1987) • 2.3 L I-5, (MY 1987−1991) • 2.1 L I-5 Turbo, (MY 1984−1985) • 2.2 L I-5 Turbo, (MY 1986−1987) is dedicated to the preservation of the cars that ran in the SCCA Trans-am series and the similar IMSA GTO class from 1980 until 1991. Audi also used the 200 Turbo Quattro 20v as their
Group A rally car replacement for the aging
Audi Quattro after the
FIA elimination of
Group B in 1986. The
1987 Group A 200 was driven by former
World Rally Champions drivers Hannu Mikkola and Walter Röhrl. The Audi 200 became the first four-wheel-drive car to win the
Safari Rally, with Hannu Mikkola driving, with it being the last win for Audi in the world rally championship. The 200 Quattro became the last car Audi campaigned in rallying as a manufacturing team.
Gallery File:Audi 100 C3 China 2016-04-15.jpg|FAW-manufactured Audi 100 File:Audi 200 C3 01 China 2016-04-14.jpg|FAW Audi 200 File:1990 Audi 100 Avant TDI front.jpg|1990 facelift (Avant TDI) File:1990 Audi 100 Avant TDI rear.jpg|1990 facelift ==Audi 100 (C4, 1990–1994)==