Audi 80 B4 Made For Relaxing Drives, Not Spirited ‘Ring Runs
Final-gen Audi 80 sedan smoothed out the lines of the B3 era, retained unique procon-ten safety system in the final days before airbags.
By the early 1990s, the Audi 80 entered the final years of its 30-year run on the production line. The B4 era of the sedan brought a longer wheelbase than the previous B3, a move into the German midsize market against Mercedes and BMW, and two hardcore versions of itself, in the form the S2 and RS2 Avant.
In short, the final Audi 80 heralded plenty of changes for Ingolstadt and fans alike, ones that would pave the way for the Audi we know now. The unnamed host of YouTube channel Furious Driving recently took a pristine 1992 example of the 80 out for a leisurely drive through the English countryside.
“There’s a couple of things that really stick in my mind about this particular thing,” he said. “First of all, how elegant and understated it was. Back then, before I could drive, I always said, ‘If ever I could afford a BMW, I’m gonna buy an Audi or a Saab,’ thinking they were understated and elegant. Not Q cars, exactly, but quiet, refined luxury.”
The other things he found wonderful about the B4 Audi 80? The interesting tech advancements it possessed. Full zinc coating to prevent rust was definitely a plus in more damp areas like Germany or New England. However, it the procon-ten safety system made the 80 stand out. Before airbags took over, procon-ten’s steel cables moved the steering wheel away in a crash. Other cables tightened the seat belts to prevent the occupants from bashing their skulls against the dash or front seats.
“Pulling away in this thing is so very smooth,” he said. “It almost feels like you’re driving an automatic, but just with the intervention of a clutch in the middle of the situation.”
Aside from the smoothness of the five-speed manual, the longitudinally mounted inline-five’s placement over the front axle played a key part in the Audi 80’s excellent handling. Throw in quattro – only available with the manual – and few could touch what this sedan had. However, this wasn’t the machine for throwing down on the ‘Ring. Instead, a different sort of driving experience was on the cards with the B4 80.
“This really isn’t the car you take out for a spirited drive,” he said. “It’s a car you take out if you want to go someplace and get there relaxed. It’s a bit like a Mercedes W124 in that respect. It’s a not a car that’s gonna reward you for hustling it along. Take it easy, and you’re in for a gentle, enjoyable time, like an evening in a gentleman’s club, rather than going to a rave.”
Click HERE to join the AudiWorld forums!
