Audi Type R — Zwickau

Convertible / Roadster 1927–1933 50–55 PS Petrol

The Audi Type R — the "Zwickau" — was Audi's first six-cylinder model, an elegant late-1920s convertible and roadster that brought new levels of refinement and open-top style to a brand that had built its reputation on touring endurance, arriving just before the 1932 Auto Union merger that would transform German automotive history.

Horsepower (peak spec)

~22s

0–100 km/h (est.)

~110km/h

Top Speed

1927

Year Introduced

Overview

The Audi Type R was introduced in 1927 as Audi's most technically advanced production car to date — and, crucially, the first Audi to use a six-cylinder engine. The engine was a 2,992 cc inline-six producing 50–55 PS, a configuration that offered dramatically smoother power delivery than the four-cylinder units that had powered all previous Audi models. The Type R was officially designated the "Zwickau" by Audi — named after the Saxon city that was the brand's home — and this nickname became the car's popular identity in period press and customer communication. Available in 2-seat roadster and 4-seat cabriolet body styles, the Type R was Audi's most elegant and sporting model, aimed at the affluent buyer who wanted a quality, stylish open-top touring car rather than the formal closed touring models that dominated the rest of Audi's range.

The Zwickau's six-cylinder engine represented a significant step forward in refinement — the inline-six's inherent primary and secondary balance produced far less vibration than the four-cylinder engines it superseded, and the smoother power delivery made extended open-top motoring genuinely pleasurable rather than merely tolerable. The cabriolet and roadster body styles were well-suited to the improved engine character, creating a package that appealed to the sporting-minded buyer of the late 1920s Weimar Republic's relatively prosperous "Golden Twenties" period (before the 1929 Wall Street Crash ended Germany's brief economic recovery). The Type R competed in a segment that included the Wanderer W10, the Horch 375, and various imported British and French convertibles that had become fashionable among Germany's upper class.

The Type R remained in production until approximately 1933 — making it one of the last pre-merger Audi models and one of the first to be produced under the Auto Union corporate structure that formed in 1932. The Auto Union merger brought together Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer under a single holding company and consolidated Germany's fractured middle-market automotive sector. Under Auto Union, the Audi brand was repositioned and successor models were developed — the Type R's elegant sports cabriolet format gave way to a new generation of Audi products that reflected the merged company's restructured model strategy. Any surviving Type R is a window into the Weimar Republic's automotive culture at its most refined, and the car's "Zwickau" identity gives it a particular emotional connection to the city and factory that built it.

Type R in Pictures

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

The Audi "Zwickau" — the popular name for the Type R — a refined open-top tourer from the late 1920s that showcased Audi's new six-cylinder engine technology. Named after the Saxon city where Audi built its cars, the Zwickau represented the brand at its most elegant before the Auto Union merger.

The Audi Zwickau factory — the spiritual home of the Type R and its nickname. Audi's Zwickau plant was where the brand's engineering and coachbuilding traditions were preserved through the difficult economic years of the late Weimar Republic, producing cars of quality that belied their era's turbulence.

From the 1910 Type A to the 1927 Type R — seventeen years of continuous Audi engineering development produced increasingly refined and capable touring cars. The Type R's six-cylinder engine represented a significant step forward from the four-cylinder units that powered all earlier Audi models.

The four-ring Auto Union emblem — the Type R was one of the final Audi models produced before the 1932 Auto Union merger that transformed the German automobile industry. The Type R's elegance and refinement represented Audi at its interwar peak as an independent manufacturer.

Key Specifications

Body: 2-seat Roadster or 4-seat Cabriolet — coachbuilt open-top bodywork; nicknamed "Zwickau" after Audi's home city
Engine: 2,992 cc inline-6 — approximately 50–55 PS; Audi's first six-cylinder production engine
Gearbox: 4-speed sliding-mesh manual — no synchromesh; double-declutching required for smooth changes
0–100 km/h: approx. 20–22 s (sport spec) | Top speed: approx. 105–115 km/h — impressive for late 1920s open-top motoring
Suspension: Semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear — friction dampers on standard specification; hydraulic dampers on some later variants
Drive: Rear-wheel drive, shaft final drive to live rear axle — conventional layout; the six-cylinder's torque required revised final drive ratios
Brakes: Four-wheel mechanical drum brakes — rod and cable operated; front and rear brakes standard on all Type R production
Production: 1927–1933 | Factory: Audi, Zwickau (from 1932: Auto Union AG, Zwickau) | Significance: Audi's first six-cylinder model

Variant Comparison

Variant	Engine	Power	Drive	Best For
Type R Roadster (2-seat)	3.0L inline-6	50 PS	RWD	Most sporting experience — the 2-seat Roadster specification offers the lightest weight and most direct driving connection; the preferred choice for buyers who want to drive the Type R rather than be conveyed in it
Type R Cabriolet (4-seat)	3.0L inline-6	50 PS	RWD	Touring comfort — the 4-seat Cabriolet provides accommodation for a passenger in the rear, making it more practical for accompanied touring while retaining the open-top character; the higher-value configuration for non-driving occasions
Type R Sport (55 PS)	3.0L inline-6	55 PS	RWD	Sport specification peak performance — the 55 PS higher-output engine combined with the lighter Roadster body represents the Type R at its most capable; the rarest and most desirable configuration for performance-oriented collectors

Competitor Snapshot

Model	Strength	Compromise
Horch 375 (1928)	The Horch 375 (1928) offered more engine displacement, higher power output, and the added prestige of the Horch brand name — a car positioned above the Type R in the Auto Union hierarchy with corresponding quality and refinement advantages	The Horch was significantly more expensive than the Audi Type R, placing it beyond the reach of buyers in the Type R's target market; the Type R offered comparable open-top style and genuine six-cylinder refinement at a more accessible price point
Mercedes-Benz 8/38 PS (1928)	The Mercedes-Benz 8/38 PS (1928) offered the most prestigious German brand and compressor (supercharger) technology for performance-oriented buyers — a more powerful and more prestigious alternative for buyers for whom image was the primary consideration	The Mercedes was more expensive and more mechanically complex than the Audi Type R — the supercharged engine required more specialist maintenance and delivered more temperamental behaviour than the Audi's simple, reliable six-cylinder; the Audi offered greater peace of mind for the touring-oriented buyer
Wanderer W10 (1928)	The Wanderer W10 (1928) was a direct competitor within the Auto Union family — a similar-sized open touring car using a smaller engine and lighter construction that offered adequate performance at a somewhat lower price than the Type R	The Wanderer W10 used a smaller engine producing less power than the Type R's 2,992 cc six-cylinder; the Type R's larger displacement and higher output gave it a clear performance advantage for sustained high-speed touring, justifying its premium over the W10

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: 60 litres
Annual fuel cost: $39
Total yearly estimate: $16039
Monthly average: $1337

Surviving Audi Type R / Zwickau examples are among the rarest pre-war German open-top cars — few are known outside museum collections, and any private offering requires full provenance verification and specialist authentication before any purchase consideration.
The inline-six engine is mechanically more complex than Audi's earlier four-cylinder units, requiring specialist vintage six-cylinder rebuild knowledge — correct bearing clearances, period ignition timing, and carburation calibration for the engine's specific characteristics must be verified by an experienced pre-war German vehicle specialist.
The coachbuilt convertible and roadster bodywork requires specialist restoration if damaged — ash wood framing and period canvas or leather hood materials are available only from specialist pre-war body restorers; modern materials are incompatible with the period construction techniques.

Maintenance & Service in Azerbaijan

Six-cylinder engine oil maintenance with period SAE 30 monograde mineral oil — the Type R's inline-six uses non-hardened bearing surfaces and period gasket materials incompatible with modern oils; oil change every 1,000 km or annually with monograde mineral specification.
Carburation maintenance with ethanol-free petrol — the Type R's carburettor is calibrated for period petrol specification and is damaged by modern ethanol blends; use only ethanol-free aviation or classic car specialist petrol, and recalibrate the carburettor annually for the specific fuel available.
Magneto ignition maintenance and timing verification — the Type R uses magneto ignition with no battery dependence for spark generation; magneto contact points, timing advance mechanism, and high-tension leads require annual inspection and adjustment by a period electrical specialist.
Convertible hood maintenance — the Type R's canvas or leather hood requires periodic waterproofing treatment, careful folding to prevent crease damage, and storage in a manner that prevents the hood fabric from developing mould in damp conditions; specialist hood restorers are required for any repair work.
Chassis and suspension lubrication at all service points — the Type R's steering joints, suspension pivots, and wheel bearings have multiple grease nipples and oil cups that must be serviced before each use; the six-cylinder engine's greater smoothness transfers more vibration to the chassis than the four-cylinders, making lubrication maintenance especially important.

Used Type R Buying Checklist

Six-cylinder engine condition assessment — the Type R's inline-six should be assessed for correct oil pressure, smooth idle, absence of unusual noise from the top end, and blue smoke from cold start; a specialist pre-war engine rebuild will be required if any of these indicators suggest internal wear.
Convertible hood condition and authenticity — the Type R's hood material and folding mechanism should be assessed for correct period construction; non-period replacement hoods reduce historical authenticity and may indicate a car that has been maintained with insufficient attention to period correctness.
Body frame condition — the Type R's ash wood body frame is susceptible to moisture damage and rot; specialist inspection with appropriate probing tools is essential to assess frame condition before any purchase, since structural frame replacement is a major and expensive undertaking.
Drivetrain operation assessment — the four-speed gearbox, propeller shaft, and rear axle must be assessed for correct operation without abnormal noise or vibration; the Type R's six-cylinder engine generates more torque at lower rpm than Audi's four-cylinders, and worn transmission components may only reveal themselves under driving load.
Chassis number and documentation verification — the Type R's chassis plate and engine number must be verified against any available factory records; the Audi Museum Mobile in Ingolstadt may hold production records that can confirm vehicle identity and original specification.
Import and registration documentation for Azerbaijan — a Type R imported to Azerbaijan requires historic vehicle customs classification; operation on public roads requires historic vehicle registration and specialist classic car insurance appropriate for a pre-war luxury convertible of this rarity.

Type R FAQ — Azerbaijan Buyers

Q: Why was the Type R nicknamed "Zwickau"?

Audi gave the Type R the official model name "Zwickau" as a tribute to the Saxon city of Zwickau, which had been Audi's manufacturing home since 1909 when August Horch established his new company there after leaving the original Horch Motorwagenwerke in Zwickau. The name was both a statement of local pride and a piece of marketing that associated the car with Audi's geographical identity — similar to how other German manufacturers named models after cities or regions. Zwickau had a long industrial tradition and was known in Saxony as a centre of manufacturing quality, making it an appropriate name for Audi's most refined and sophisticated model of the period. After the 1932 Auto Union merger, subsequent Audi models abandoned this geographical naming convention.

Q: What made the six-cylinder engine in the Type R significant for Audi?

The introduction of the inline-six engine in the Type R represented a fundamental shift in Audi's engineering approach after seventeen years of relying exclusively on four-cylinder engines. The inline-six's inherent mechanical balance — its primary and secondary forces cancel without the counterweighting required in a four-cylinder — produced dramatically smoother operation, reduced vibration transmitted to the body and passengers, and enabled a more refined engine note that was particularly appreciated in an open-top car where engine noise is more directly audible. The six-cylinder also offered better power delivery characteristics — smoother torque progression and a wider usable rev range — that made the Type R more pleasant to drive than any previous Audi. This transition to six-cylinder technology placed Audi in competitive parity with rivals like Wanderer and Horch who were also moving in this direction.

Q: How did the Type R fit into the Auto Union merger of 1932?

The Audi Type R was still in production when Auto Union AG was formed in June 1932 through the merger of Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer — the four brands represented by the now-famous four-ring logo. The Type R's production continued under Auto Union management until approximately 1933, making it one of the first models to straddle the pre-merger and post-merger periods. Within Auto Union's restructured brand hierarchy, Audi was positioned as the upper-middle brand (above DKW and Wanderer, below Horch), and the development programme for successor Audi models was designed to fit this positioning. The Type R's open-top sporting character was maintained in subsequent Audi models within Auto Union, but development was rationalised to share more components and manufacturing resources across the four brands.

Q: What is the Type R worth to collectors today?

An authentic Audi Type R / Zwickau in good condition is an exceptionally rare collector car whose market value is difficult to establish precisely because so few examples are known to exist and almost none trade publicly. Based on comparison with other pre-war German open-top cars of similar rarity and historical significance, a well-preserved Type R might be expected to command €100,000–€300,000 at specialist auction, with premium examples in exceptional condition potentially exceeding these figures. The car's rarity, its significance as Audi's first six-cylinder model, and its beautiful open-top body styles all contribute to collector appeal. However, any Type R offered for sale would require comprehensive authentication by pre-war Audi specialists before its claimed specification and provenance could be relied upon for valuation purposes.

Q: Is there a modern Audi that captures the spirit of the Type R?

The Audi Type R's combination of an elegant open-top body, refined six-cylinder engine, and sporting character for the discerning driver finds its closest modern equivalent in the Audi A5 Cabriolet — a car that similarly combines convertible elegance with refined engine technology for buyers who want an Audi that is as enjoyable to be seen in as it is to drive. The A5 Cabriolet's turbocharged four and six-cylinder engine options carry forward the Type R's commitment to smooth power delivery in a sophisticated open-top package. For those who specifically want a roadster rather than a cabriolet, the TT Roadster represents a similar sporting spirit in a more compact format. Both modern cars benefit from a century of engineering advancement that the Type R's engineers could not have imagined, but the underlying proposition — a refined Audi that brings pleasure to open-air driving — is directly inherited from the Zwickau.

Should You Buy the Audi Type R?

The Audi Type R "Zwickau" is a pre-war open-top treasure of the highest rarity — a museum-quality automobile that deserves to be seen and appreciated, not sought for conventional ownership.

For Azerbaijani automotive enthusiasts, the Audi Type R Zwickau represents the pinnacle of Audi's pre-merger engineering refinement — the moment when the brand made the critical transition from four-cylinder durability to six-cylinder sophistication. Its open-top character, refined engine, and beautiful body styles make it one of the most attractive pre-war German cars to contemplate, even if conventional ownership is essentially out of reach. The Audi Museum Mobile in Ingolstadt is the appropriate place to appreciate the Type R's significance and beauty. For buyers in Azerbaijan who want the spirit of refined open-top Audi motoring today, the A5 Cabriolet delivers everything the Type R promised — wind-in-the-hair pleasure, engine refinement, and the quiet confidence of a car built by people who take engineering seriously.