Fueled by love
Audi is launching the ninth generation of the successful C model series. It’s time for a few (love) stories.
missing translation: fa.article-intro.reading-time – 05/27/2025
It is a true success story: Audi has built almost ten million vehicles of the successful C series – first as the Audi 100 starting in 1968 and later called the Audi A6 starting in 1994. The models featured innovations like the fully galvanized body, highly efficient engines, and optimized aerodynamics. The new Audi A6 Avant* also impresses with the best drag coefficient of an Avant with a combustion engine (cd value 0.25). Nine generations of the C family assembled together – time to hear the special (love) stories from some of their owners from the Audi workforce.
C1: A collector’s item from Italy
Rene Marc Heinze runs his hand affectionately over the hood of his 1972 Audi 100 Coupé S in Colorado red metallic. “This coupé was simply meant for me,” enthuses the project manager, who worked for the Audi Group in Italy for several years. “I bought the coupé there, directly from its first owner. It was dormant for 30 years until I breathed new life into it in 2014. Since then, I have nurtured and cared for this ‘time capsule’ with the utmost devotion.”
But just keeping this gem in the garage would be a shame for Heinze. That’s why he regularly takes it out on long trips – most recently to Sardinia by ferry and then across the island. He is still in touch with the family of the now deceased first owner, whose initials he commemorated on the Audi 100’s license plate. Incidentally, they were both born on the same day. This love story was clearly meant to be.
Rene Marc Heinze has cherished his red Audi 100 Coupé S from Italy for more than ten years.
C2: An interior that takes you back to the 1980s
Gary Telaak’s C2 Audi 100 has come an even longer way. The exterior designer got hold of the model 18 years ago through an online auction platform in the USA – without having seen it in person – and had it transported to Germany: from Seattle via Los Angeles onto a container ship to Rotterdam and on to southern Germany, where the Argentinian-born designer with Greek roots lives.
But this C2 Audi 5000 S, the US version of the Audi 100, was worth it: oversized bumpers, rectangular twin headlights, lots of chrome, and above all, the interior completely in Bordeaux red – from the leather seats and dashboard to the loudspeaker cover and the entire trunk lining. “That was the American style of the 1980s, and together with the lavish equipment such as automatic transmission, air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows, exterior mirrors, and sunroof, it was a clear sign that Audi was serious about gaining a foothold in the US market,” explains Telaak. He adds proudly: “Everything is 100 percent original and in exceptionally good condition. It’s an absolute cruiser and good for those who need to ‘take it down a notch.’ It’s the ultimate way to slow down.”
Originally from the USA, imported to southern Germany – the C2 owned by Audi designer Gary Telaak.
C5: Bank robbery getaway car
Slowing down is the opposite of what Maximilian Biber is going for with his Audi C5: the trained automotive mechatronics technician has tuned his 2000 model with a sports suspension and RS rims. That also fits well with the eventful history of his C5. “My car was a getaway car in a bank robbery in Belgium,” says the 20-year-old, who has been working at Audi since 2020. The escape was unsuccessful, and the car spent eight years in the evidence room. “That’s why my S6 only has 140,000 kilometers on the clock for its age.”
Even though Biber can do a lot of the work on his C5 himself thanks to his training, there isn’t much for him to do. “The quality is just top-notch! I hope we ride together for many years and many kilometers to come.”
Maximilian Biber’s Audi S6 (C5) spent eight years in a Belgian police evidence room as part of a robbery investigation.
C6: A companion for more than 450,000 kilometers
Stephan Schwantner’s dark green C6, 2009 model, has already clocked up many kilometers. “457,000 kilometers with the original engine – a 2.0 L TDI,” the engineer proudly announces. “It just keeps running and running!” Part of the family for twelve years now, the vehicle has served ‘as a commuter car, tow vehicle for a large trailer, and loyal travel companion’ and is particularly loved by his wife. “For her, the C6 is a promise of safety and reliability.”
Stephan Schwantner’s C6 is still running on its original engine – and is his wife’s favorite.
