Audi Resurrects a Forgotten 1930s Supercar: The Untold Story of the Auto Union Type 52
This is one for the history books—a supercar from the 1930s that never got to shine on the roads it was destined for. Say hello to the Auto Union Type 52, an ambitious project by Audi that's finally seeing the light of day.
A Blast from the Past
Back in the 1930s, Auto Union, which eventually became Audi, concocted a bold vision: the 'Schnellsportwagen' or fast sports car. This brainchild, internally known as the Type 52, was intended to be a street-legal rendition of the Type 22 Grand Prix race car. What made this concept so groundbreaking was its planned 16-cylinder engine, capable of producing over 200 horsepower and reaching a top speed of 125 miles per hour. By today’s standards, those numbers might not sound earth-shattering, but for the 1930s, they were stratospheric.
Sadly, this remarkable machine never went beyond the drawing board. The Type 52 project was shelved by 1935 as the shadow of World War II loomed over Europe. Automotive history could have forgotten this marvel altogether, but Audi decided to resurrect it for the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Bringing Dreams to Life
To undertake this labor of love, Audi commissioned Crosthwaite & Gardner, a company renowned for its historic race car manufacturing expertise, to build the Type 52 from scratch. The team pored over original sketches and blueprints, meticulously recreating everything from the chassis and body panels to the powerhouse engine.
The heart of the Type 52 is a mid-mounted, supercharged 16-cylinder engine. While the original design called for a 4.4-liter engine, Audi opted for a 6.0-liter behemoth. This modern iteration doesn't just match the old specs; it surpasses them. The new engine churns out an astonishing 512 horsepower, blowing past the original 200-horsepower estimate. Power is sent to the wheels via a traditional manual transmission, honoring the bygone era’s mechanical purity.
Engineering Beyond the Past
Adjustments were necessary to accommodate the modern engine and components. The Type 52 now has a wheelbase of 130.5 inches, compared to the original's shorter 118 inches. This stretch also impacts weight—this modern recreation tips the scales at 3,196 pounds, while the 1930s version was projected at 2,866 pounds.
A Nod to Classic Interiors
Step inside, and it's another journey back in time. The interior retains a vintage aesthetic with retro cloth seats, lacquered wood paneling, and large, old-school gauges. The seating layout is particularly fascinating; it features a three-seat arrangement reminiscent of the McLaren F1, albeit six decades earlier.
Not Just a Showpiece
This resurrected beauty isn’t destined for a life of static admiration. Audi plans to let the Type 52 stretch its legs at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. And not just anybody will be behind the wheel—Le Mans legends Tom Kristensen and Hans-Joachim 'Strietzel' Stuck are slated to drive. Watching this historic car in action will undoubtedly be a highlight of the festival.
As we look forward to the Type 52's triumphant run at Goodwood, it's clear that Audi’s decision to revive this masterpiece is more than a mere homage to the past—it’s a testament to the timeless allure of automotive innovation.