In 1982, Audi presented the streamlined 100. A cW-value of 0,30 for a normal production vehicle,
that was quite something. A year later, Renault presented the even more efficiently styled 25.
Aerodynamically there are some similarities, but other than that, they're different like day and night.
So where are the differences?
Right, where are they? Well, first of all there's the body.
This is a traditional saloon, whilst the Renault 25 is a hatchback.
This has a 5-cylinder engine with a manual gearbox, the Renault has a 6-cylinder engine with an automatic gearbox.
This is a German car, and the French car looks a lot less dull from the inside.
So, lots of differences, but lots of similarities as well,
because they were cars in the same segment. The E-segment, luxurious cars, a real business-segment.
They all had to compete with each other. This is a 1984 Audi 100 CD,
and CD was the most luxurious trim available back in the day.
You had the base level, the CC, the CS and the CD.
The CS was a tad sportier, and the CD was a tad more luxurious.
It came with fog lamps and headlight sprayers.
Even though it's the most luxurious trim of them all, you can't really tell.
Especially if you compare it with the Renault we'll be driving later on.
The doors have some nice upholstery. Everything you could expect back then is in here,
don't get me wrong, but it's not like you get the feeling you're in a luxurious and expensive car.
Of course, it's all built incredibly well,
as you'd expect from a German car, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it cozy.
You could see this 100 as a breakthrough-car to the bigger, more expensive premium segment.
It was Audi's weapon for moving closer to BMW and Mercedes.
After this 100, Audi built the 200 and the V8,
the latter being another iconic car. This 100 eventually developed into the A6,
and that's still around today. We also know how Audi has been doing since the eighties.
They're part of the established brands, together with BMW and Mercedes.
When it came to engines, you had quite a broad choice at Audi.
If you wanted a 4-cylinder, the base engines, you'd get 1.8-litres.
You also had 5-cylinder engines, ranging from 1.9-litres to 2.3-litres.
Right now, we're driving a 2.1-litre 5-cylinder without a turbo.
And if I'm honest, the 5-cylinder is the engine you need in this car.
It produces a typical rumble, and it's loud and clear.
It produces 136 horsepower, and if you think past the 2.2-litre Turbo,
it was the strongest engine available for the 100.
Cars from back in the day weighed a lot less than cars do now, so it's no slouch with 'only' 136 horsepower.
Also, with a 5-cylinder like this, you produce a tad more torque,
so when it comes driving it, it's still a car which can cope with current day traffic.
An Audi 100 is a car which still goes with the flow of today, it's all tight and serious, but that's how German cars were back in the day.
They're incredibly reliable though, and it's a relatively timeless design.
I'm curious how the Renault 25 will do, compared to this Audi.
Well, it's quite the transition. Going from the most luxurious Audi 100 to the top-Renault 25:
the Baccara. The 25 is the successor to the Renault 20 and 30.
The body is a lot sharper, which heralds a new design era.
It was drawn by Robert Opron, a famous French designer who also designed the Citroën CX and SM.
The curved rear window is a characteristic feature on this 25, because just like the Renault 20 and 30, this is a hatchback.
Speaking of famous designers, the dashboard has been drawn by mr. Marcello Gandini himself.
It's a true spectacle really. The Audi 100 has a very serious dashboard,
with all the things you need sorted in a clear manner. This however, feels a lot more like a spaceship.
It has all kinds of gaps and covers.
The Baccara truly was the most luxurious model Renault offered, aimed at the German competition.
Where should I start? There's leather on the seats, leather in the doors,
alcantara in the doors, wood and alcantara in the roof...
Everywhere you look, there's leather and alcantara.
It creates a really luxurious atmosphere.
So what features do we have on here? Well, what features don't we have?
About everything is electric. The mirrors, the windows, the seats are adjustable with inflatable cushions.
There's cruise control, airconditioning, an extensive radio/cassette-player,
and of course, a talking board computer.
Again.
It's something in French, and I believe it means that everything is alright.
Another nice feature on this car, is the clothing cover in the boot.
Beneath the parcel shelf is a sort of fancy leather cover, in which you can store clothes.
It really is top of the bill, this Baccara.
4-cylinder engines were available in the 25. You could get a 2.0-litre, or a 2.2-litre,
but when it comes to this kind of trim, you won't put a 4-cylinder in the front.
It's powered by a V6, a PRV-V6 to be exact.
It was available with or without a turbo. Originally it was a 2.7-litre, but later it was available as a 2.8-litre.
This is the 2.8-litre V6, producing 160 horsepower.
It's not the fastest, but it's a smooth, luxurious travelling limousine.
The Audi has more bite to it, despite being down on power.
Also, the 5-cylinder sounds better. The 100 just feels quicker.
Aboard this Frenchy, it's just cruising.
I already said it before. Where the Audi 100 was the step up to a very successful car, the Audi A6,
this Renault 25 actually was the beginning of the end when it comes to big Renault cars.
This 25 still was successful, but it was successed by the Safrane and Vel Satis.
Both were nice cars, but they just weren't as successful.
Nowaday we've got the Talisman, but that hasn't got the same 'grandeur' of this 25 Baccara.
So, if I had to choose... It's this Renault that makes my heart beat faster.
I think the Audi 100 is a beautiful car though. It was the first car I drove 200 km/h with,
back in the day with my dad. We had an Audi 100 CC.
But the beautiful, timeless, streamlined exterior, doesn't seem to match with the dull interior.
It's all very decent and it's built properly, but I wouldn't say I get happy by looking at it.
Also, I've always loved the way the Renault 25 looks, and the dashboard really is great to look at,
everytime you're driving it.
And if you look at it that way, Renault has done a better job than Audi.