What do the numbers at the back of an Audi mean?
3 Answers
Audi rear numbers indicate the car's acceleration capability, calculated through a complex formula. The larger the number, the greater the acceleration and power of the vehicle. Audi is a luxury car brand under Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany. Its main models include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8, TT, R8, and the S and RS performance series. Taking the Audi RS5 as an example, its body dimensions are 4649mm in length, 2020mm in width, and 1366mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2751mm. In terms of appearance, the RS5 features a grille design similar to the Audi TT and RS models, typical of the RS series, and is equipped with an automatically adjustable rear spoiler.
The meaning behind the numbers on Audi models is quite interesting. As a car enthusiast, I often research this. Identifiers like A4, A6, or 45 TFSI now primarily represent power levels rather than engine displacement. For example, 35 TFSI indicates around 150 horsepower, suitable for daily driving; 45 TFSI jumps to approximately 200 horsepower, offering stronger performance; higher numbers like 55 signify even more aggressive acceleration. The numbers in the A series (4, 6, 8) denote vehicle size—A4 is a midsize sedan, A6 is larger and more luxurious, while A8 is the flagship. Audi revised its naming system in 2017, shifting from displacement to power codes to better accommodate turbocharging and electrification trends (e.g., e-tron follows similar logic). This design is clever, allowing buyers to quickly distinguish performance—higher numbers usually mean pricier but superior experiences. I recommend paying attention to actual driving dynamics during test drives rather than just focusing on the numbers.
I've been driving Audi cars for over a decade, and the meaning of the numbers has changed significantly. In the past, models like the A6 2.0T directly indicated a 2.0-liter displacement, but now numbers like 45 TFSI represent power codes, with 35 denoting basic output and 45 indicating a higher tier. Audi made this change because advancements in engine technology mean displacement doesn't always reflect true performance, coupled with environmental regulations requiring more precision. The TFSI suffix stands for Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection, which is Audi's signature technology. The new system is more intuitive and avoids confusion. I once upgraded from an A4 to an A6, and the higher number made me feel the space and power had improved. Overall, the numbers help in choosing a car—remember, the larger the number, the stronger the performance, but fuel consumption may also increase, making it suitable for high-speed driving enthusiasts.
