Audi has revived a piece of automotive history with the recreation of the Auto Union Type 52, a fast sports car initially designed in the 1930s. This remarkable vehicle, internally known as the Type 52 or “Schnellsportwagen,” was intended to be a road-going version of the Type 22 Grand Prix race car. It would have featured a 16-cylinder engine producing over 200 horsepower and achieved a top speed of 125 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest cars of its time.
source.image: DPCcars
Unfortunately, the project was abandoned in 1935, prior to the onset of World War II. For the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Audi decided to bring this historic car to life. The automaker commissioned Crosthwaite & Gardner, a company specializing in historic race car manufacturing, to recreate the Type 52 from scratch using original sketches and blueprints.
The new version boasts a mid-mounted, supercharged 6.0-liter 16-cylinder engine, generating an impressive 512 horsepower. This powerplant is paired with a manual transmission. To accommodate the new engine and chassis, the dimensions of the Type 52 were adjusted.
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The wheelbase was extended to 130.5 inches, and the car now weighs 3,196 pounds. Inside, the vehicle features a three-seat layout reminiscent of the McLaren F1, complete with retro-inspired cloth seats, lacquered wood paneling, and large, vintage gauges. Audi plans to showcase the Type 52 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen and Hans-Joachim “Strietzel” Stuck driving this stunning one-off creation.
