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Build it Your Way: Bring Back the Audi 5-Cylinder

Typically, with Build it Your Way, we've given several options for engines or drivetrains for a particular model or line of vehicles. This time, I'm making a personal plea to Audi, and asking if you feel the same way.

As a child of the mid-late 1980s, I grew up with Audi 4000s and 5000s. Yes, even before the names were reconciled to reflect the European naming scheme of 80/90 and 100/200. When Robin Williams made the comment "One little exercise, and then I'm Audi 5000" in the movie License to Wed, the line was probably lost on most of the millenials watching, who had only ever known the 90/100 and A4, A6, and A8 models.

But growing up in the sprawling Northern California mega-suburb known as the Silicon Valley, German sedans were a staple of the executives in this burgeoning, emerging tech economy. BMW 533is were a dime a dozen. Likewise, the clattery, smoky throngs of Mercedes 300 Ds and SDs figure prominently in the memories of my childhood. But the guys and gals that wanted to "do their own thing" bought Audis.

And at that time, it seemed almost all of them had five-cylinder engines. Granted, we're talking 110-120 hp 10-valve mills that were nothing to get excited about for the most part. But they had a very unique sound, and at least for a while, were a defining characteristic of the brand, at least to me.

Starting in the early 90s, the fives began to fade in favor of more conventional V-6s and four-cylinders throughout much of the Audi lineup. The distinctive thrum of the Audi five became a rarer and rarer sound. By the time I returned home from college for summer in the mid-90s, the Volvo 850 became the predominant five-pot. Audi was no longer defined by its quirky engine, but increasingly by its Quattro all-wheel drive.

Throughout Audi's gentrification and mainstreaming into the mid-90s and early 2000s, I thought, and still think it would be cool for the five to make a comeback to the Audi brand. Granted, from a purely technical standpoint, there's nothing wrong with Audi's current crop of turbocharged four-cylinders and supercharged V-6s (still puzzlingly referred to as 3.0T). The engines produce plenty of power efficiently and smoothly. But to me, there's nothing unique or special about turbo fours or supercharged sixes.

Even five-cylinders aren't the novelty they used to be, having now become the staple powertrain of the Volvo lineup. But I think Audi should offer some version of its turbocharged 2.5 I-5 in every model of its lineup, save for the ultra-flagships (A8, R8). That's right. I think the A3 (which already offers one, in the guise of the RS3) TT (likewise, TT RS), the A4, A5 and A6 should all offer a five-cylinder option. I'm neutral as to whether it should be offered with a DSG or six-speed manual, but I lean toward the stick, since it offers the most engaging driving experience to go along with the 2.5 turbo's sweet thrummy song.

Granted, the new 300+ hp 2.5 turbo is a far cry from the comparatively feeble 110-horse 10-valvers of the '80s and early '90s. But I think it would be a fitting tribute, and a unique defining characteristic for the brand. Maybe I'm the only person on the planet that feels the same way about this. But the enthusiastic reception to Audi's Ur-Quattro concept makes me think I'm probably not. What do you think? Would you like to see the five make a big comeback across the Audi lineup?