In the early twentieth century, car makers all over the world were experimenting and testing new and innovative ideas in the area of car manufacturing. Historically, there was no blueprint to go from and any new and ground-breaking thoughts were treated as viable ideas. It was an era of pioneering in a society that was enjoying novel ideas about where to take the automobile next. One company who ventured into these unknown waters was Audi.
The first Audi was made by August Horch in 1910 at a plant in Zwickan, Germany. The Audi Type A 10/22hp (16Kw) Sport-Phaeton was created as a recreational vehicle that felt comfortable on the open road as well as in the city. These were long, heavy, and awkward vehicles that really were not designed for the narrow cobblestone streets of small German towns. One of the main problems that existed in those days was the infrastructure of the country. There simply wasn't one. What was good was having an automobile if the streets in which you drove were 12 feet (and sometimes narrower) wide. And that was a good road. Until the German government could build the roads for these new vehicles, cars that would be the first technological success of the 20th century, the car in general was not practical.
As Audi continued to change and adapt the Type A Sport-Phaeton, it somehow found its way into the racing competition of central Europe. Competing against the well-known manufacturers of Germany, the likes of which would become recognized names worldwide in automotive engineering, the Audi stood next to Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Peugeot, and a host of others.
Taking the Type A into competitive racing, Audi made numerous adaptations to the car in order to become relevant in the manufacturing and racing fields. Engines were tested and changes were made. Horsepower and acceleration were improved and body construction enhanced. It was not too long before Audi's Type A was making its presence felt.
Feeling the tight economic times of the post WWI era, Audi was not a major player in the market before the Second World War. Using the Type A as the prototype for new engineering, Audi began reducing the size and weight of the cars it built. The Type A was used for the trial of new and more powerful engines as well as the improvement of body design.
The Audi has come a long way since the Type A left the factory. Audi now creates automobiles that compete in a worldwide market and for the past 25 years has enjoyed growing success. From the Type A to today, Audi enjoys renewed success.
Enid Glasgow is an auto enthusiast who is never blue when she'd driving her Audi automobile.
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