Audi Type M

Sedan / Open Touring 1924–1928 38–50 PS Petrol

The Audi Type M was the refined successor to the Type K — a sophisticated mid-1920s touring car offering Audi's most accomplished four-cylinder engineering in multiple coachbuilt body styles for Germany's professional and business class buyers.

Horsepower (peak spec)

~25s

0–100 km/h (est.)

~100km/h

Top Speed

1924

Year Introduced

Overview

The Audi Type M entered production in 1924 as a refined and developed successor to the successful Type K — sharing much of the K's mechanical architecture but incorporating the improvements and lessons learned from four years of Type K production experience. The "M" designation followed the sequential alphabetical type system that Audi used throughout its pre-war years, and the Type M represented Audi's most sophisticated large touring car of the mid-1920s. The engine retained the 4.7-litre four-cylinder layout of the Type K but was further developed for improved power delivery, smoother operation, and reduced oil consumption — the practical concerns of buyers who drove extensively. The 18/38 PS (standard) and 18/50 PS (sport) designations followed the German tax convention, with the standard version producing approximately 38 PS and the more highly tuned sport version reaching 50 PS through revised carburation and cam timing.

The Type M was offered in the full range of coachbuilt body styles that characterised quality German automobile production of the 1920s: open touring Torpedos for the sporting buyer, enclosed sedans and limousines for formal use, and convertible Cabriolet bodies for the driver who wanted open-air motoring with enclosed winter capability. Body construction was commissioned from specialist German coachbuilders who built the body on the standard Type M chassis and ladder frame — the same practice used by all German manufacturers at this price level. The mid-1920s saw some recovery in German economic conditions following the Rentenmark stabilisation of 1923, and Audi was able to target the recovering prosperity of the German business class with a car that had been refined specifically in response to customer experience feedback.

The Type M remained in production until approximately 1928, when Audi introduced new models featuring the straight-six engine that represented a significant technical step forward. The M's four-cylinder formula had served Audi well since the Type K of 1921, but buyer expectations were moving upward toward the smoother power delivery of six-cylinder engines that competitors were increasingly offering. The Type M thus marks the end of Audi's long commitment to large four-cylinder engines in its flagship touring cars — a chapter that had begun with the Type C's 4.7-litre Alpensieger in 1912 and ran for sixteen years. Any surviving Type M represents a now-rare product of mid-1920s Germany, when the country's economy was recovering but its political future remained deeply uncertain.

Type M in Pictures

Visual references for exterior styling, cabin design, and key details. Images fall back gracefully on load error.

The Audi Type M — a refined luxury touring car of the mid-1920s, offering Audi's largest and most powerful four-cylinder engine in a body that combined sporting character with the comfort expected by upper-class buyers of the Weimar Republic era.

Audi's Zwickau factory — where the Type M was assembled alongside the earlier Type K, representing Audi's most sophisticated production capability in the mid-1920s. The factory's craftsmen built each Type M as a coachbuilt vehicle, with bodywork supplied by specialist German coachbuilders.

August Horch — the founder whose engineering vision shaped all early Audi models including the Type M. The M's character reflects Horch's emphasis on mechanical quality, smooth engine operation, and the ability to sustain high speeds reliably on long-distance touring journeys.

The Auto Union four-ring emblem — a symbol that unites the heritage of four historic brands. The Type M was produced in the years leading up to the 1932 Auto Union formation, as Audi built its reputation as a manufacturer of quality vehicles for Germany's professional and business classes.

Key Specifications

Body: Open Torpedo, Cabriolet, or enclosed Limousine — coachbuilt bodywork; multiple coachbuilders supplying bodies to factory specification
Engine: 4,655 cc inline-4 — 38 PS (18/38 PS standard) or 50 PS (18/50 PS sport version)
Gearbox: 4-speed sliding-mesh manual — no synchromesh; double-declutching required for smooth changes
0–100 km/h: approx. 22–25 s (sport spec) | Top speed: approx. 95–105 km/h — well-suited to 1920s road network
Suspension: Semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear on ladder chassis — friction dampers on quality variants
Drive: Rear-wheel drive, shaft final drive to live rear axle — conventional 1920s German touring car layout
Brakes: Four-wheel mechanical drum brakes — rod-operated with external contracting on some configurations
Production: 1924–1928 | Factory: Audi, Zwickau | Context: Final large four-cylinder Audi flagship tourer

Variant Comparison

Variant	Engine	Power	Drive	Best For
Type M Standard (18/38 PS)	4.7L inline-4	38 PS	RWD	Standard touring specification — the 18/38 PS open Torpedo body represents the most common and most practical Type M configuration for classic vehicle events; sufficient power for touring without the complexity of the higher-tuned sport specification
Type M Sport (18/50 PS)	4.7L inline-4	50 PS	RWD	Sport specification — the 18/50 PS variant in a lighter body style offers the most engaging driving character from the Type M range; the optimal choice for buyers seeking the car's performance ceiling within its historical envelope
Type M Limousine	4.7L inline-4	38–50 PS	RWD	Formal coachwork — the enclosed Limousine body style represents the Type M at its most prestigious and period-authentic for formal occasions; the most refined specification but least practical for everyday classic car use

Competitor Snapshot

Model	Strength	Compromise
Horch 16/50 PS (1925)	The Horch 16/50 PS (1925) offered the prestige of Horch's established name and six-cylinder smoothness — a car positioned above the Audi Type M in both price and brand hierarchy, with engine refinement that the Audi's four-cylinder could not match	The Horch was more expensive than the Audi Type M, restricting it to buyers who specifically required the Horch badge and could afford the premium; Audi offered comparable quality without the brand premium, giving better value at the Type M's price point
Mercedes-Benz 15/70/100 PS (1924)	The Mercedes-Benz 15/70/100 PS offered the most prestigious German brand name and sophisticated supercharged engine technology — performance and prestige well beyond what the normally-aspirated Type M could offer, for those who required the absolute best	The Mercedes was significantly more expensive and more complex than the Type M — positioned in a higher segment for buyers who specifically required the Mercedes prestige and performance; Audi's simpler mechanical package was more reliable and less expensive to maintain
Wanderer W11 (1927)	The Wanderer W11 (1927) offered a more modern six-cylinder engine and lighter, more elegant body styling than the Audi Type M's aging four-cylinder formula — attractive to buyers who wanted the latest engineering at a comparable price	The Wanderer W11 was positioned slightly below the Audi Type M in the market hierarchy and offered less established touring credentials; Audi's proven reliability record and the Type M's refinement gave it a quality edge over the newer but less-proven Wanderer

Cost-of-Ownership Estimator (Azerbaijan)

Annual distance (km)Fuel consumption (L/100km)Fuel price ($/L)Annual service budget ($)Annual insurance ($)Annual tires ($)

Annual fuel use: 51 litres
Annual fuel cost: $33
Total yearly estimate: $17033
Monthly average: $1419

Surviving Audi Type M examples are among the rarest German cars of the 1920s — the combination of economic difficulties, war destruction, and a century of time has left very few complete and authentic examples; any offering requires full authentication by a pre-war Audi specialist or museum consultation.
The Type M's engine requires specialist vintage engine rebuild knowledge — correct period oil grades (SAE 30 monograde mineral), magneto ignition maintenance, and period carburettor expertise are specialist skills not available at conventional classic car workshops.
Coachbuilt body restoration on the Type M requires ash wood framing expertise, period sheet metal skills, and access to appropriate trim materials that are essentially impossible to source from production — all restoration is artisan fabrication work.

Maintenance & Service in Azerbaijan

Engine oil system maintenance with period SAE 30 monograde — the Type M's non-hardened bearing surfaces and period gasket materials are damaged by modern detergent oils; use only monograde mineral oil changed every 1,000 km or annually.
Carburettor and fuel system maintenance — the Type M uses a single carburettor of period design requiring specialist calibration for correct fuel-air mixture; modern ethanol-blended fuel degrades period rubber and brass components and requires specialist adaptation or fuel type change.
Cooling system maintenance with distilled water — the Type M's copper and brass cooling system requires distilled water and period-compatible corrosion inhibitor; hard water causes scale deposits that impede coolant flow through the narrow passages of the cast-iron block.
Gearbox oil maintenance with period-specification gear oil — the Type M's sliding-mesh gearbox uses bronze synchronising components damaged by modern GL5 gear oils; specialist vintage gearbox oil or mineral-base gear oil must be used.
Chassis and suspension lubrication at all grease nipples and oil cups — the Type M has multiple lubrication points that must be serviced before each driving session; neglect leads to rapid wear of steering joints and suspension pivots that cannot be replaced from any parts supplier.

Used Type M Buying Checklist

Chassis and engine number verification — the Type M's chassis plate and engine number must be verified against factory records where available; the Audi Museum Mobile in Ingolstadt can assist with historical documentation research for surviving examples.
Engine condition assessment from cold start — assess oil pressure, idle quality, and exhaust smoke from a fully cold start; a Type M engine that starts easily, produces consistent oil pressure, and idles smoothly demonstrates the most important positive indicators of engine health.
Body structural assessment by wooden-frame specialist — the Type M's coachbuilt ash wood body framing is susceptible to moisture damage and rot; specialist inspection with appropriate probing tools reveals structural condition that is invisible from outside the body panels.
Drivetrain operation assessment — the sliding-mesh gearbox, propeller shaft, and rear axle must be assessed for correct operation, absence of abnormal noise, and secure mounting; worn drivetrain components are specialist rebuilding jobs without commercial parts supply.
Completeness verification — confirm that major components present are original to the car rather than period substitutes from other vehicles; non-original components reduce authenticity and complicate any future restoration effort.
Import and registration feasibility — a Type M imported to Azerbaijan requires historic vehicle customs documentation; operation on public roads requires historic vehicle registration and specialist classic car insurance appropriate for a pre-war automobile of this rarity.

Type M FAQ — Azerbaijan Buyers

Q: What distinguishes the Audi Type M from the earlier Type K?

The Audi Type M represents a systematic refinement of the Type K's established mechanical formula rather than a fundamental redesign. The engine was developed for improved reliability and reduced oil consumption — addressing feedback from Type K owners who had used their cars extensively over four years. Carburation was improved for better cold-start behaviour and throttle response, and the chassis and body mounting details were refined based on production experience. The Type M also offered a wider range of coachbuilt body styles as Audi's relationships with specialist coachbuilders matured and the German coach-building industry recovered from the post-war disruptions. In terms of market positioning and target buyer, the Type M occupied the same space as the Type K but offered more confidence in mechanical quality and a broader choice of body configurations.

Q: Why did Audi move away from four-cylinder engines after the Type M?

Audi's shift from large four-cylinder engines to six-cylinder units in the late 1920s reflected changes in both technology and buyer expectations. By the mid-1920s, six-cylinder engines — smoother in operation due to their better primary and secondary balance — were becoming increasingly available from European manufacturers including Horch, Wanderer, and Mercedes. Buyers of quality touring cars were becoming accustomed to the smoother power delivery and lower vibration levels of inline-six engines, and the four-cylinder's characteristic vibration periods became a competitive disadvantage. The development of cost-effective six-cylinder engines — smaller and lighter than earlier six-cylinder designs — made the transition economically viable for a manufacturer of Audi's size. The Type R (1927) introduced Audi's first production six-cylinder engine, and the subsequent model range was built entirely on six-cylinder foundations.

Q: How many Audi Type M cars survive today?

The precise number of surviving Audi Type M examples is unknown, but historical researchers believe it to be extremely small — possibly fewer than ten complete and authentic examples globally. Germany's wartime destruction of historical material, the post-war scrap drives that claimed many pre-war vehicles, and the simple passage of nearly a century have reduced surviving numbers dramatically. The Audi Museum Mobile in Ingolstadt is likely to hold documentation and possibly examples, while specialist German pre-war vehicle collectors may hold private examples. The rarity of these cars means that they rarely if ever appear at auction — when they do, expert authentication is essential before any consideration of purchase.

Q: What was the Type M's role in Audi's brand development?

The Audi Type M played an important consolidating role in the brand's development during the difficult middle years of the Weimar Republic. While the Type C Alpensieger had established Audi's sporting credentials before the war, and the post-war Type K had proved the brand's ability to survive economic turbulence, the Type M demonstrated that Audi could refine and improve its products in response to customer experience — the quality iteration that turns a competent car into a recommended one. The Type M built customer loyalty among professional and business buyers who became Audi customers for life, purchasing subsequent Type R and eventually the Auto Union-era models that followed the 1932 merger. This loyal customer foundation was part of what gave Audi the brand equity that survived through difficult times.

Q: Is the Type M related to any Audi model available in Azerbaijan today?

The Audi Type M has no mechanical relationship with any current Audi model — the century of technological development separating them makes direct connection essentially meaningless. However, the Type M embodies values that remain central to Audi's brand identity: refinement and reliability through systematic engineering improvement, quality of construction that justifies a premium price, and a focus on the professional buyer who uses the car seriously rather than merely displaying it. These values are most visible today in the Audi A6 — a car that occupies a similar market position (quality executive transportation for business professionals) and maintains the same commitment to building in quality rather than cutting corners. For Azerbaijani buyers who appreciate this heritage, the A6's combination of refinement and reliability carries the Type M's spirit forward in a car that is entirely practical for today's road conditions.

Should You Buy the Audi Type M?

The Audi Type M is a rare historical artefact of the German automotive industry's recovery years — best appreciated in a museum context, with the Audi A6 as its modern spiritual successor.

The Audi Type M is not a car for Azerbaijani buyers to seek for ownership — its rarity, specialist maintenance requirements, and absence from any practical sales channel make conventional acquisition essentially impossible. Its historical interest lies in understanding that Audi's commitment to engineering quality and systematic improvement was not a creation of the post-war Volkswagen Group era — it has been a defining characteristic since 1910. For buyers interested in an Audi that reflects these same values today, the A6 and A8 represent the current expression of the Type M's design philosophy: quality executive touring vehicles built to a high standard for buyers who drive seriously and expect their car to deliver without drama.