The parent of the Volkswagen Polo, the little-known Audi 50 is celebrating its 50th anniversary

Before it was released in the Spanish version known as the Seat Ibiza – a model that celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year – the Volkswagen Polo itself was already based on another model. As little known, of Audi 50 He is indeed the one who gave birth to Ant. We are now in the summer of 1974, shortly after the first oil shock of 1973. The oil-exporting countries decided to cut their production in response to the Yom Kippur War. Inflation is increasing and car owners are looking for fuel-efficient cars. These were the heyday of the Peugeot 104, its cousin the Citroën LNA and even the Renault 4. At the time, it was not even thought of to switch to electric models when the price at the pump became high.

Audi 50, Germany’s first compact car

Audi already had plans to launch a small car, which was originally intended to serve as a replacement for the NSU Prinz. Audi 100 sedan and Audi 80 wagon had found their audience. The brand with the four rings then wants to complete its range from the ground up by offering an entry-level model. If the Prinz worked with a rear-wheel drive, the purchase of the brand by Volkswagen – which will replace it with Audi – makes it possible make it front wheel drive and outboard engine. « A modern car must be the right size for today’s needs », noted the design manifesto of the Audi 50. Thanks to its engine block position, the city car offers good interior space despite its length of 3.49 meters.

The Audi 50 was presented in the summer of 1974, before the first sale scheduled for October 26 of the same year. Its structure, marked by a a unique version of the two-door hatchback, was designed by Hartmut Warkuß, to whom we also owe Audi 80. One of the important points of what we consider today as the first small car from the German manufacturer is first in its weight: only 685 kg. With a single 1.1 liter engine, of Audi 50 is not here to play games. It should be said that with 50 horses for LS 50, and ten more for 50 GL, we can not hope to exceed 152 km / h. It wasn’t until 1977 that the smaller Audi 50 GL engine was replaced with a 1.3 liter unit, which still developed 60 horsepower but benefited from more torque.

A model discarded by his almost twin, Polo

But then, how is it that Audi’s first car is now forgotten? Let’s say it was marked with fierce competition… within the Volkswagen group. Considering the fuel context, the German brand is also focusing on offering an affordable and fuel-efficient car. This was at the heart of the matter at the time, although some cars were sold using premium petrol – such as the first version of the Audi 50 GL – while others opted for regular petrol. Obviously jealous, Volkswagen decided to launch its version of the “mini Audi” in 1975. We were then. six months after the launch of Audi 50, has already been produced in 43,000 copies. This is how the polo was born, intent on capturing the high-end market but also indirectly killing its cousin.

If it is two centimeters more, the first polo distinguishes itself from Audi 50 thanks to the type of engine and larger equipment. Volkswagen wants to push the low-cost logic even further, with an entry-level unit with a displacement of 0.9 liters, developing around 40 horses. With its hand brakes and drums, The Polo is cheap, and that’s what made it an almost immediate success. Although it was given a facelift to bring it closer to the Audi 80, work on the Audi 50 ended in the summer of 1978. Overall, 180 828 copies left the production lines from Wolfsburg and Neckarsulm, the former NSU factory. The Polo would take its place on its own, until it achieved the success we know today.

Audi succeeds in the city car segment with the A1

It was almost twenty years later that Audi again tried to establish itself in the entry-level market. We are then in 2000 and of Audi The A2 leaves the factory with a stunning all-aluminum design. The aim is to prevent it from having a slight rust problem – a common problem on the Audi 50 – but above all to find a popular audience thanks to small engines ranging from 61 to 110 horses. But because of the basic price which is still very high, and despite Reliability recognized throughout its production, the Audi A2 was discontinued in 2005. It wasn’t until 2010 with the launch of the Audi A1 that the four-ringed brand was finally able to establish itself in the city car segment. This is also based on the PQ25 platform of the… Volkswagen Polo.

Audi 50 is almost impossible to find today

The grandfather of the Polo and Germany’s first small car, the Audi 50 is today a sought-after example among collectors. You have to say that has become very rare, body fault and base severely affected by corrosion. If the small engine of 1.1 liters – like 1.3 liters – is stable and easy to maintain, this is not the case for its body, which is often made from recycled sheet metal, including. high copper content favored intergranular corrosion. Despite its 180,000 units produced, the Audi 50 has been extremely difficult to find over the years. During its few appearances on the French market, it was sold for between 5,000 and 10,000 euros. Or a higher price than the Volkswagen Polo Mk1. It just goes to show that things haven’t changed much in fifty years.