Audi’s Half-Century Milestone: Celebrating 50 Years of Small Car Excellence

The Audi brand has a rich history, with models like the A1 and A2 that have yet to grace the roads of the United States. One such model is the Audi 50, a small, two-door hatchback that will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Originally introduced by NSU in the 1960s as the Prinz 4 and later as the Prinz 1000, the Audi 50 was developed as a modern city car to keep up with the changing automotive landscape. When Volkswagen acquired NSU in 1969 and merged it with Auto Union to form Audi, the Audi 50 was born under the guidance of Ludwig Kraus and designer Hartmut Warkuß.

The Audi 50 was available in LS and GL variants, both powered by a 1.1-liter four-cylinder engine. With the effects of the 1973 oil crisis still fresh, the Audi 50 offered a fuel-efficient option for buyers. However, its fate took a turn in 1975 when Volkswagen released a similar model called the Polo, causing the Audi 50 to lose its relevance in the market.

As a result, production of the Audi 50 ceased in 1978, marking the end of Audi’s foray into the city car segment until the release of the A2 in 1999. Meanwhile, the Polo continued to evolve and remains a popular choice for customers, with over 18 million units sold since its debut in 1975.

The Audi 50 may not have been a high-volume model, but its place in automotive history as a predecessor to modern Audi and Volkswagen models is undeniable. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, the Audi 50 is a testament to the evolution of the automotive industry and the enduring legacy of iconic vehicles.