Audi Super 90

Overview

The Audi Super 90 was introduced in 1966, just one year after the F103 series launched with the Audi 60. Recognising that buyers wanted a more spirited option within the modern F103 package, Audi's engineers fitted the 1.7-litre engine with twin Solex 32 PBISA carburettors and raised the compression ratio to produce 90 DIN hp — a significant output for a compact front-wheel-drive car of the period. The result was a car that could reach 170 km/h and cover the 0–100 km/h sprint in approximately 12 seconds — comparable with some coupés of the era while offering full four-door practicality. The Super 90's front-wheel-drive layout managed this power well, providing entertaining and engaging driving that rewarded mechanical sympathy without becoming tail-happy like contemporary rear-wheel-drive performance cars.

The Super 90 shared its body entirely with the Audi 60 and the later Audi 75 — no visual differentiation beyond the "Super 90" badging distinguished the performance flagship from the entry-level model. This restrained approach to badging was characteristic of early Audi's design philosophy, which focused on engineering substance over visual flamboyance. Inside, the Super 90 received slightly higher-specification seat materials and a few additional comfort features, but the overall interior was shared with its siblings. Where it genuinely differed was in the driving experience: the twin-carburettor engine pulled strongly from low revs and became increasingly eager above 3,500 rpm, rewarding drivers who were willing to use the gearbox to keep the engine in its powerband.

The Super 90 remained in production until 1972, when the entire F103 range was replaced by the Audi 80 B1. Its legacy is significant: it demonstrated that a front-wheel-drive compact could deliver genuine performance without sacrificing the handling safety and everyday practicality that made the F103 range commercially successful. The Super 90's success also helped establish a precedent in Audi's product line — the idea that a performance variant within a mainstream model range could occupy a profitable niche. This philosophy would later evolve into the S and RS designations that now define Audi's performance hierarchy, making the Super 90 a surprisingly direct ancestor of the modern S4 and RS4.

Super 90 in Pictures

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

The Audi Super 90 — the performance flagship of the F103 range, identifiable by its twin Solex carburettors under the bonnet producing 90 DIN hp from the 1.7-litre engine. A genuine sporting compact for its era.

The F103 body — all models from the 60 to the Super 90 used the same pressed-steel body, but the Super 90's dual-carburettor engine transformed the performance character into something genuinely spirited.

The Audi 100 (1968) was developed in parallel with the Super 90's production years — showing Audi's ambition to quickly expand upmarket while the F103 range served the compact segment.

The four rings — each ring representing one of the four merged companies — adorned every Super 90. The F103 range was the first to bear this emblem on a modern, genuinely competitive European compact.

Key Specifications

• Body: 2-door saloon, 4-door saloon, Variant estate — 4,235 mm length, front-wheel drive
• Engine: 1.7L inline-4, overhead-valve — twin Solex 32 PBISA carburettors, 90 DIN hp at 5,200 rpm
• Torque: 136 Nm at 3,500 rpm — stronger than the single-carb 75 and well-suited to motorway cruising
• 0–100 km/h: ~12 s | Top speed: ~170 km/h — competitive with European coupés of the era
• Compression ratio: 10.6:1 — requires premium-grade unleaded petrol to prevent pre-ignition
• Suspension: MacPherson strut front, rigid rear axle — front disc brakes standard on Super 90 (upgrade over the drum-front 60 and some 75 variants)
• Gearbox: 4-speed all-synchromesh manual — same unit as other F103 models but with slightly different final drive ratio
• Kerb weight: ~870 kg | Production: 1966–1972 | Sold primarily in West Germany and selected European markets

Variant Comparison

Competitor Snapshot

Cost-of-Ownership Estimator (Azerbaijan)

• Annual fuel use: 200 litres
• Annual fuel cost: $130
• Total yearly estimate: $5130
• Monthly average: $428

• The twin-carburettor setup on the Super 90 requires periodic synchronisation — the two Solex units must be carefully balanced to ensure even fuel distribution across all four cylinders; imbalanced carburettors cause rough running and power loss.
• The higher compression ratio of the Super 90 engine (compared to the standard 75 unit) requires premium-grade unleaded petrol; use of regular fuel causes pre-ignition that over time can damage pistons and valves.
• The twin-carb Super 90 engine requires a more experienced classic car tuner than the single-carburettor 60 or 75 — finding a mechanic familiar with twin Solex carburettors and early Audi engines is essential in Azerbaijan.

Maintenance & Service in Azerbaijan

• Twin carburettor synchronisation every 12,000 km or annually — both Solex 32 PBISA units must be balanced for throttle opening, idle mixture, and fuel delivery; a mercury flow-gauge is the traditional tool for this procedure.
• Spark plug replacement every 15,000 km — the Super 90's higher compression ratio and twin-carb setup runs slightly hotter than the standard 75; use plugs of the correct heat range as specified for the high-compression variant.
• Timing adjustment after any carburettor work — ignition timing interacts with fuel mixture in the Super 90's engine; a timing light check after every carburettor service ensures optimal power output and prevents pre-ignition.
• Valve clearance check every 20,000 km — the OHV engine's solid tappets drift out of specification with use; correct valve clearances are essential for quiet running and maintaining the compression ratio that gives the Super 90 its performance.
• Annual brake fluid flush and caliper inspection — the Super 90's front disc brakes (a specification step up from the drum-front variants) require clean fluid and functioning calipers to handle the increased performance the engine provides.

Used Super 90 Buying Checklist

• Balance the twin carburettors with a flow meter before assessing engine performance — unbalanced carburettors are the most common source of rough running and power complaints on Super 90 engines; a balanced twin-carb setup transforms the driving experience.
• Perform a compression test across all four cylinders — the Super 90's higher compression means any cylinder showing significantly lower readings indicates ring, bore, or valve seat wear requiring engine work before purchase.
• Test drive at highway speeds if possible — the Super 90's performance character only fully emerges above 3,500 rpm; a quick town test does not reveal the engine's potential or expose vibrations at higher speeds.
• Inspect front brake disc condition carefully — the Super 90's front discs may have been upgraded, replaced, or allowed to corrode; the discs must not be scored or below minimum thickness, and caliper pistons must operate freely.
• Check all engine ancillaries — twin carburettors mean two fuel lines, two throttle linkages, and doubled fuel system components; inspect all rubber fuel lines, connections, and the accelerator pump on each carburettor for correct function.
• Verify authenticity of the twin-carb specification — some Super 90 engines have been converted to single-carburettor operation by previous owners seeking simpler maintenance; confirm the twin-carb setup is intact by checking engine numbers against factory records.

Super 90 FAQ — Azerbaijan Buyers

Should You Buy the Audi Super 90?

For Azerbaijani buyers, the Audi Super 90 is a specialist acquisition requiring a genuine passion for early automotive history and the patience to source, maintain, and care for a 60-year-old carburetted performance compact. Finding a genuine, well-preserved example demands research through European classic car specialist networks; maintaining it requires a mechanic familiar with twin Solex carburettors and 1960s Audi engineering; and using it demands an acceptance of period-appropriate limitations. If these conditions are met, the Super 90 offers one of the most historically interesting driving experiences available from the Audi brand — a genuine connection to the beginning of the performance identity that eventually produced the quattro, the RS2, and the RS4.