What does Audi 4045 mean?

[VanElias]

Audi's 40 and 45 at the rear represent the engine displacement. Introduction to car displacement: Displacement, a specialized term in hydraulic transmission, refers to the volume of fluid inhaled or discharged per stroke or cycle. Car displacement is an important parameter for measuring a vehicle. Some domestic cars do not have the above-mentioned car model at the rear, but their displacement is generally indicated on the body or rear of the car. Displacement and cars: The space volume that the piston moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center is called the cylinder displacement; if the engine has several cylinders, the sum of the working volumes of all cylinders is called the engine displacement. It is generally expressed in liters (L). Engine displacement is one of the most important structural parameters, and it represents the size of the engine more than the cylinder diameter and the number of cylinders. Many indicators of the engine are closely related to the displacement.

[DelLogan]

When I was researching old Audi models, I came across the designation 4045, which refers to Audi's military off-road vehicle from the WWII era. In 1943, the German Army required a light reconnaissance vehicle, so Audi modified its existing Kfz.12 military truck, upgrading the engine to a 2.5-liter 40-horsepower unit. The most distinctive feature of this vehicle was its open-top body paired with a four-wheel-drive system, and its specially reinforced frame designed to withstand battlefield conditions. After the war in 1945, the Allied forces even painted white star markings on captured 4045 vehicles—I’ve seen one in a museum. Today, it’s estimated that fewer than ten 4045 models still exist.

[VonElena]

I've studied Audi's historical archives, and 4045 is actually a chassis code. In 1943, Audi was commissioned by the German military to manufacture light command vehicles, designed based on the Typ 12 chassis but with a shortened wheelbase. The most fascinating aspect is its V8 engine concealed beneath the rear seats, requiring seat removal for maintenance. Over 300 units were built, but most were destroyed during Allied bombing of the factory in 1945. Last year, a collector restored one using original leather seats, preserving even the wartime rust marks - it's incredibly historically evocative.

[LeGiselle]

Speaking of the Audi 4045, it was truly a battlefield hero. With a wheelbase of just 2.1 meters but a ground clearance of 22 cm, it could climb 40-degree steep slopes. The windshield could be folded flat forward for easy camouflage, and the trunk concealed a radio mount. Documentaries have captured German officers riding the 4045 through artillery fire to deliver intelligence during the 1944 Normandy campaign—even with two tires blown out by shrapnel, it kept going. Today, some off-road enthusiasts replicate this vehicle, equipping it with modern roll cages to compete in rainforest races.