Audi Tradition to commemorate numerous anniversaries in 2026

The latest anniversary booklet highlights several milestones in engine development. Twenty-five years ago, the Audi A8 6.0 debuted as the world’s most powerful twelve-cylinder luxury sedan at the time; under its hood was the first twelve-cylinder engine from Audi – a 6-liter W-configuration unit. Fifty years ago, the Four Rings introduced the company’s first five-cylinder engine in the new Audi 100 (C2); its distinctive firing order 1-2-4-5-3 created an unmistakable sound, and legendary rally victories soon earned the engine cult status. One hundred years ago, the Zwickau-based Horchwerke unveiled the Horch 8 at the Berlin Motor Show – the first German production car with an eight-cylinder engine. A full 125 years ago, August Horch designed his first automobile: the Vis-à-Vis model, featuring a seating arrangement where driver and passengers faced each other. February 3, 2026, will mark the 75th anniversary of his death. Company founder Horch was determined to “build only strong and good cars under all circumstances” – and to prove their performance, he sent his vehicles into competitive motorsport at an early stage. Just five years after automotive pioneer Horch built his first car, the Horch 18-22 PS claimed overall victory in 1906 at the Herkomer Trial, one of the most demanding long-distance events of its time.

The publication “Anniversary Dates 2026” also honors further sporting achievements by Audi and its heritage brands. One hundred years ago, NSU scored a remarkable quadruple victory in the 1.5-liter class with the NSU 6/60 PS at the first “German Grand Prix” on the AVUS circuit in 1926. Ninety years ago, the Auto Union Type C dominated the 1936 racing season, winning three of five Grand Prix events, half of the circuit races, and every hill climb entered by Auto Union AG. Six decades later – in 1996 – Audi achieved seven wins in seven countries: at touring car championships in Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Belgium, Spain, Australia, and South Africa, the 285 PS Audi A4 quattro STW impressively demonstrated the superiority of quattro all-wheel drive.

Further anniversaries compiled by Audi Tradition historians include: 30 years of the Audi A3, 35 years of the Audi Cabriolet, 45 years of the Audi research car, 50 years of the second-generation Audi 100, 70 years since the DKW 3=6 Monza record run, 70 years of the DKW Munga off-road vehicle, and 70 years of NSU speed records. A comprehensive overview of these milestones is provided in “Anniversary Dates 2026,” available in the Audi MediaCenter.