Audi Tradition Presents a Historical Masterpiece: The Auto Union Type 52
In an extraordinary display of automotive history and engineering prowess, Audi Tradition is set to unveil the Auto Union Type 52 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024. This street-legal sports car, envisioned over 90 years ago, was built on the technical foundation of the renowned Auto Union Grand Prix race cars. Stefan Trauf, Head of Audi Tradition, remarked, “Our goal with this dream car that remained a dream in its time is to get everyone excited about design and technology.”
Reviving a Forgotten Legend
The Auto Union Silver Arrows are legendary, but few know about the ambitious plans for a street-legal version equipped with a 16-cylinder engine: the Auto Union Type 52. Audi has now realized this dream, introducing the Schnellsportwagen to the world at the prestigious Goodwood event in England this July.
The Genesis of the Auto Union Type 52
The journey of the Auto Union Type 52 began in 1932 with the formation of Auto Union AG, a merger of Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer. The same year, new regulations for the 750 kg formula in Grand Prix racing were established. Auto Union AG commissioned Ferdinand Porsche’s Stuttgart design office to develop a race car for this new formula. The result was the Auto Union Type A, which quickly made a name for itself on the racing circuits.
These race cars featured revolutionary mid-engine layouts, setting the standard for future Formula One designs. The Auto Union cars, alongside Mercedes-Benz, dominated the racing world, earning the nickname “Silver Arrows” and securing numerous records and championships.
The Untold Story: The Auto Union Type 52
While the Grand Prix race cars were in development, plans for a street-legal sports sedan, the Auto Union Type 52, were also in motion. This “Schnellsportwagen” was intended for long-distance races like the Mille Miglia and endurance events such as Le Mans. The design incorporated a ladder frame chassis with a mid-mounted engine, similar to its racing counterparts, but adapted for regular gasoline and reduced power output to around 200 PS. Despite these adjustments, the car promised impressive performance, with speeds estimated around 200 km/h.
Building the Dream: From Historical Documents to Reality
Audi commissioned Crosthwaite & Gardner to construct the Auto Union Type 52 based on surviving documents and design sketches. The British restoration experts meticulously handcrafted each component, ensuring the car’s authenticity and adherence to the original vision. The resulting vehicle, over five meters long, boasts an aerodynamic silhouette and features such as an overhead roof, headlights, and luggage space, making it suitable for everyday use.
Unveiling and Test Drives
The Auto Union Type 52 will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, driven by Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen and racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck. Stuck’s father, Hans Stuck, famously drove Auto Union Grand Prix cars to numerous victories in the 1930s. Hans-Joachim Stuck expressed his excitement after test driving the Type 52, praising its sonorous engine and breathtaking design.
Overcoming Challenges in Recreation
Reconstructing the Auto Union Type 52 posed significant challenges due to the lack of a finished model and limited historical documentation. Audi Tradition and Crosthwaite & Gardner had to make several technical decisions, such as extending the wheelbase and choosing a modern interpretation of the interior colors and fabrics. The car’s finish, Cellulose Silver, was inspired by its racing predecessors.
Bringing History to Life
Audi’s dedication to historical accuracy led them to use the 16-cylinder engine from the Auto Union Type C, ensuring compatibility with the Grand Prix cars. Although the engine runs on a special methanol mixture, this decision honors the car’s racing heritage.
The Auto Union Type 52, a dream conceived in the 1930s but never realized, will finally come to life at Goodwood. This extraordinary vehicle showcases the ingenuity and technological innovation of its creators, offering a glimpse into what could have been one of the most powerful street-legal vehicles of its time. Audi’s meticulous recreation allows enthusiasts to experience this remarkable piece of automotive history firsthand.
Technical data Auto Union Type 52
| Auto Union Type 52 Model year 2023 | Auto Union Type 52 As planned in 1934 | |
| Engine | 16-cylinder mid-mounted engine with supercharger | 16-cylinder mid-mounted engine with supercharger |
| Displacement | 6,005 cc (similar to the 1936 Auto Union Type C) | 4,358 cc (equal displacement as the 1934 Auto Union Type A) |
| Output | 520 PS (382 kW) at 4,500 rpm | 200 PS (147 kW) at 3,650 rpm |
| Top speed | n/a | Designed for 200 km/h |
| Fuel | 50% methanol, 40% super unleaded, 10% toluene | Regular gasoline |
| Dimensions (L/ W / H) | 5,390 / 1,780 / 1,660 mm | – |
| Wheelbase | 3,315 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Unladen weight | 1,450 kg | 1,300 kg |
| Exterior color | Cellulose Silver | – |
| Model year | 2023 | – |
| Total number of units | One-of-a-kind model | – |
