1980 Audi 4000 Automatic — Performance And Driving Impressions

Audi's 4000 is one of those modern, small sedans battling to discover a specialty in life. Neither as charming as the car it supplanted nor as luxo as the 5000 it takes after, the 4000 tiptoes down a or maybe limit way. Volvos outperform the little Audi's speeding up, American-made X-cars beat its fuel proficiency, and there are scores of Japanese sedans accessible at lower prices.

So it's small shock that the 4000 has a humble, if committed, taking after. These are people who wouldn't donate a Mazda 626 or a Quotation a moment see, since not one or the other is built in Germany.

Their entryways do not thunk closed with breechblock surety. Their motor compartments appear rough with cast press and carburetors, though the Audi's is a showcase of aluminum trimmed in stainless steel.

A Quick Look at the 1980 Audi 4000

The Audi 4000 was a compact extravagance vehicle. It was made for drivers who needed consolation and productivity. It was not showy, but it was savvy. The plan was clean and straightforward. Sharp lines were utilized. The car looked present day for its time.

The 1980 Audi 4000 came with front-wheel drive. This was not common at that point. Audi accepted in superior footing and adjust. That conviction made a difference shape the brand’s future.

The programmed adaptation was well known in the U.S. showcase. Numerous buyers needed consolation. The programmed gearbox conveyed smooth shifts. The car was simple to drive in traffic.

And presently that America has turned intellect and body to physical wellness, the Audi 4000 offers the athletic see in automobiles. The styling is so save you anticipate the tires to examined "Adidas."

The 4000's bumpers are so trim and tight that 320is and 280Es appear practically well proportioned by comparison. Which is precisely why a few people see this car as a deal: the 4000 is German, mechanically rich, very clearly the driving edge of the fine-line school of auto design, and it still costs less than $10,000.

As it turns out, ten amazing is barely the upper restrain of Audi's yearnings for the 4000. To dispatch it over the five-figure jump, the manufacturing plant has boosted the 4000's charge by a full cylinder's worth, to 2.1 liters.

Really, this unused, more costly version has received a few changes: the 5000's five-cylinder motor, an programmed transmission for the to begin with time, control directing, and a unused options list that has what it takes to construct a $13,000 don car out of one that begins at a measly $10,150.

For the time being, the Audi 4000 automatic is precisely that. No modern title or number has been coined to recognize the big-motored small Audi, and a five-speed won't be advertised until the 1981 demonstrate year.

Driving Experience and Comfort

The Audi 4000 programmed was made for calm driving. It was not a race car. It was built for day by day utilize. The directing was light. The suspension was delicate. Little bumps were retained effortlessly. Long drives felt unwinding. Street clamor was kept moo for its time.

What the unused powertrain does is elevate the 4000's character a score or two. Motor commotion and vibration are almost midway between the four-cylinder 4000's crankiness and the 5000's suavity. The unnatural beat of five barrels in a push rambles and drums a bit at sit still, but this is simply the warmup cacophony that goes before the orchestra.

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Plant an energetic foot on the throttle and you prompt up a development well worth the complain at sit still. One hundred ram-tuned, fuel-injected horsepower howl out from beneath the hood, the nose of the 4000 lifts in presumption, and you're off like the William Tell Suggestion.

The programmed transmission keeps up cadence by upshifting shrewdly fair past the 5100-rpm control crest, so there is in truth a net pick up in speeding up over ordinary 4000s: 0-to-60-mph times are speedier by more than a moment, and the quarter-mile whizzes by in 18.5 seconds instead of 19.0.

Around-town essentialness is unfathomably moved forward, much obliged to a dangerous torque converter and the automatic's wide-open-throttle downshifts.

The 4000 still isn't what you'd call jeté-quick, but it will waltz around most of the four-cylinder competition. The punishment in fuel economy—2 mpg—is less than you'd expect (from 22 mpg with the four-cylinder four-speed to 20 mpg with the five-cylinder automatic).

The suspension has evidently been retuned to suit the heavier motor, but condemned if we may tell it. The 60-series Firestone tires feel sticky on the street, but turn at a ordinary 0.73 g on the skidpad. These tires make timpani-like sounds over bumps, but do a exceptional work of retaining pothole jars instep of transferring them into the car.

The stun safeguards moreover merit credit for the smooth ride, so much so that we found them distant as well limp for fast travel over undulating thruways. The frail damping lets the front conclusion bounce openly through its travel, which in turn produces a terrible side impact. As the nose lofts over a rise, it focuses to the cleared out.

When the body settles back down, it clears through a dead-ahead state of mind and points to the right. So you ride down the street on a corkscrew. The net way is straight, but the body outings quickly point you in all sorts of headings.

This, we feel, is a compound interaction between the Audi's nose largeness, its "free" damping, and minor geometric blemishes between the steering linkage and the front suspension.

Racers call it "bump control," whereas engineers allude to the issue as "ride direct." Both terms cruel the same thing: the front suspension's up-and-down travel steers the front tires a bit, free of steering-wheel movement or position.

It's a issue that needs consideration. We trust Audi sees fit to fix up ride movements (and you, Klaus, in the situate lab, how approximately a bit more thigh back in the front buckets?)

Some time recently it sends us the following emphasis, a five-speed, five-cylinder 4000. As for the automatic, it will serve very pleasantly for those eager for the most recent car-chic from Germany. The sneaky people holding up for the five-speed, in any case, merit a more idealize chassis.

Safety and Construct Quality

Audi centered on security early. The 1980 Audi 4000 had a strong body structure. Entryways felt overwhelming. Boards were strong. Seat belts were standard. Fold zones were outlined to assimilate affect. This was progressed for its time.

During tests, the car felt steady at thruway speeds. Braking was smooth. The car halted confidently. This consideration to security made a difference Audi construct believe. Numerous buyers taken note the difference.

1980 Audi 4000 Programmed Test: Five Lively Esteem Today

Today, classic Audi models are picking up intrigued. The 1980 Audi 4000 Programmed Test: Five Lively esteem depends on condition and originality. A well-kept Audi 4000 can be a awesome collector car. Costs are still reasonable. Parts can be found with a few exertion. Devotee communities are helpful.

Cars with unique motors and add are worth more. Benefit records moreover increment esteem. Rust-free bodies are uncommon and valuable. This show is not overrated however. That makes it alluring to unused collectors.

Why the 1980 Audi 4000 Still Matters?

This car made a difference Audi construct its notoriety. It appeared that front-wheel drive may work well. It demonstrated that five-cylinder motors were reliable.

The 1980 Audi 4000 Programmed Test: Five Lively appeared the world that Audi was genuine. It was not fair another European brand. This show laid the foundation for future victory. Cars like the Audi Quattro came afterward. But the 4000 begun the journey.

Final Thoughts

The 1980 Audi 4000 programmed is more than an ancient car. It is a piece of car history. It speaks to shrewd building and calm confidence. Its plan still looks great. Its drive feels calm and steady. Its esteem is gradually rising. For collectors, it is a shrewd section point. For devotees, it is a delight to possess. For Audi fans, it is a image of growth.

If you are investigating classic Audis, consider this show genuinely. Whether you are perusing almost the 1980 Audi 4000 Programmed Test: Five Lively esteem or browsing a 1980 Audi 5000 for deal, keep in mind where Audi’s victory began. The Audi 4000 played a key part. And it is still lively nowadays.