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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Audi’s straight-five became legendary because a packaging decision for the second-generation Audi 100 grew into a distinctive engine note, a defining part of the quattro rally story and a high-performance engine that returned in modern RS models. Its reputation rests on that combination—not on a single technical trick or a claim that it is objectively better than other engine layouts.
Why did Audi choose a five-cylinder engine?
Audi was moving the second-generation Audi 100 upmarket, but its existing four-cylinder engines did not meet the plan. The company considered both inline-five and inline-six layouts. According to Audi, space constraints and concerns about the six-cylinder’s weight distribution made the five the more practical choice. Engineers developed it from the EA 827 inline-four concept and designated the new engine EA 828.
Audi dates the five-cylinder’s debut to the unveiling of the Audi 100 in 1976. Customer deliveries of the Audi 100 5E began in March 1977. Its naturally aspirated 2,144 cc engine produced 100 kW (136 PS), according to Audi’s 2025 anniversary account. Audi: 50 years of the Audi five-cylinder
What gives Audi’s five-cylinder its distinctive sound?
The recognizable rhythm has a mechanical explanation. Audi’s five-cylinder uses firing order 1-2-4-5-3, with combustion events spaced at 144 crankshaft-degree intervals. The pattern alternates between cylinders that are adjacent and those farther apart, an arrangement Audi says was chosen for smooth operation.
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- A4 A5 A6 A8 Q5 TT 2.0t Cylinder Head Assembly w/ Camshafts & Valves
- OE Part# 06H103064L, 06H103264AX, 06H103064LX, 06H103064AC, 06H103064R, 06H103064RX, 06H103064AD
- EA888 Engine 2.0T (gasoline): CAEA CAEB CAED CDNB CDNC
- Replacement for Audi A4 allroad quattro 2010-2016 (CDNC); A5 Cabriolet 2010-2017; A5 Coupe/Sportback 2008-2016 (CAEA CAEB CAED CDNB CDNC); A6/quattro/Avant/Avant quattro 2011-2014 (CAEB CAED CDNB CHJA); A8 2010-2013 (CHJA)
- Replacement for Audi Q5 2009-2017 (CAEB CDNB CDNC CHJA); TT 2011-2014 (CESA CETA)
The firing order is not the only ingredient. Audi also points to exhaust-manifold geometry: exhaust gases take different amounts of time to travel from the exhaust valves to the turbocharger. Together, the firing pattern and exhaust system help create the engine’s characteristic cadence. Audi’s technical explanation
How did the five-cylinder become part of Audi’s quattro identity?
The engine evolved from a practical naturally aspirated road-car choice into a turbocharged performance unit. Audi introduced a naturally aspirated two-liter five-cylinder diesel in 1978. In 1979, a turbocharged gasoline five-cylinder appeared in the Audi 200 5T, rated by Audi at 125 kW (170 PS) and 265 Nm.
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The decisive pairing came with the Audi quattro in 1980: a turbocharged five-cylinder, intercooling and permanent all-wheel drive. Audi lists the launch version at 147 kW (200 PS). The combination made a potent road car and gave Audi the foundation for a celebrated rally program. Audi credits it with manufacturers’ world titles in 1982 and 1984, and drivers’ titles in 1983 and 1984. These are historical results, not a direct comparison with cars built to later rules or standards. Audi’s five-cylinder and quattro history
Road-car engineering and competition power
Audi’s later competition and road-going versions show how far the architecture could be developed, but their outputs belong to different contexts:
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Rank #3
- ⚙️【Easy to Install】The cylinder head adopts an integrated design with a simple overall structure. It can be installed directly with replacement without trouble. However, for safety consideration, we strongly recommend professional installation.
- ⚙️【Please Note】Cylinder head unit includes only the cylinder block, intake and exhaust valves, valve springs, valve guides, valve oil seals, excluding rocker arms and camshafts.
- ⚙️【Package Includes】1* cylinder head, 1* set of valves (installed), 1* set of stem seals (installed), 1* set of valve springs (installed), 10* head bolts.
- ⚙️【Excellent Performance】Cylinder head can generate power to drive the engine to work through the operation of the valves. No need to wait for a long time. Efficient and stable operation. In addition, the cylinder head is made of high-quality aluminum, which makes it durable with corrosion resistance, rust prevention, and not easy to crack.
- ⚙️【Fits (As a Reference)】For 2009-2015Audi A4 (B8) 2.0 TFSI CAEA CAEB CDNB CDNC; 2010-2015Audi A4 allroad 2.0 TFSI CDNC; 2008-2015Audi A5 2.0 TFSI CAEA CAEB CNB CDNC; 2012-2014Audi A6 2.0 TFSI CDNB CDNC; 2009-2015Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI CAEB CDNB CDNC; 2011-2014Audi TT 2.0 TFSI CESA CETA 155kw (211ps); 2011-2014Audi TT Quattro 2.0 TFSI CESA CETA 155kw (211ps)
| Version | Purpose and Audi-reported output |
|---|---|
| 1983 Sport quattro road car | Four-valve engine; 225 kW (306 PS) |
| Related Group B rally car | Started at 450 PS; Audi says later racing developments exceeded 500 PS |
| Sport quattro S1 (E2), Pikes Peak, 1987 | Walter Röhrl’s hill-climb car; 440 kW (598 PS), as reported by Audi |
| IMSA GTO, 1989 | Audi-reported 530 kW (720 PS) from just over two liters |
The Group B, hill-climb and IMSA figures describe competition machinery, not showroom specifications. Audi’s anniversary exhibition announcement and 2025 history document these milestones.
Which Audi models carried the five-cylinder, and when did it return?
The five-cylinder spread from the Audi 100 into turbocharged road cars and competition models. Its original production era included the Audi 100 5E, Audi 200 5T, quattro and later the RS2. As V6 engines took over through the mid-1990s, Audi says the original series was phased out by 1997.
Rank #4
- Compatibility Verification Required: Before ordering, confirm compatibility using your vehicle's VIN, year, model, and original engine part number. You may message us through Amazon for confirmation to purchase.
- 1-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty: This remanufactured engine is covered by a 1-year unlimited mileage warranty, effective from the date of delivery. Professional installation is required to maintain warranty validity.
- Pre-Shipment Quality Assurance: Each engine assembly completes a series of inspections and performance tests to verify compliance with original equipment specifications for power output and durability.
- Reinforced Transit Protection: The engine is secured in a reinforced wooden crate to provide comprehensive shock absorption and impact protection.
- Engine Motor for Audi A4/A5/A6/Q5 2.0TFSI CDN/CDNB/CDNC/CAE/CAEA/CAEB - Direct Replacement OE Motor
The 1994 Avant RS2 was a notable late chapter: Audi quotes 232 kW (315 PS) from its 2.2-liter five-cylinder and identifies the car as the beginning of its RS high-performance tradition. In 2009, the engine returned in the TT RS as a 2.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection unit mounted transversely, with Audi reporting 250 kW (340 PS). Later versions appeared in RS models including the RS 3 and RS Q3. Audi: History of five-cylinder engines
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is special about the modern 2.5 TFSI?
In figures Audi gives for the cited RS 3 generation, the 2.5 TFSI produces 294 kW (400 PS) and 500 Nm, with a claimed 0–100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent test results; equipment and availability vary by market and model generation.
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- [Fitment] Compatible with Audi A4 2009-2015 / A4 allroad quattro 2012-2016 / A5 2012-2017 2.0T / Audi Q5 2013-2017 2.0T GAS CPMA CPMB Compatible with VW Transporter 2012-2019 2.0T GAS CJKB
- [Part Number] 06E109641A, 06E109623A, 06A109623H, 06H103064N, 059109675, 036109651, 06D109611H, 06D109601M, 06D103385D, WHT005305
- [Strict testing] The product has undergone three quality inspections before manufacturing and distribution to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the product .
- [Please Note] Please read the product description carefully before purchasing to ensure this product is suitable for your vehicle .
- [Premium Quality Assurance] Our automotive parts are crafted from top-tier materials and manufactured under stringent quality control protocols. Each item undergoes rigorous inspections and multiple tests to ensure reliability and performance. We are committed to delivering products that meet and exceed industry standards, providing you with the highest level of satisfaction
Audi describes a compact, transverse installation with an aluminum crankcase and hollow-bored crankshaft. The engine uses dual injection into the intake manifold and combustion chambers, as well as Audi valvelift to vary exhaust-valve control. Audi gives its weight as about 160 kg and its length as under 50 cm. Audi’s 2025 technical overview
Audi also reports that the 2.5 TFSI won International Engine of the Year nine times in succession. That award record is part of the engine’s story, but it does not by itself establish reliability or objective superiority over other engines. Audi’s award-history announcement
What makes the engine legendary?
- A smart origin: Audi chose the inline-five to meet the Audi 100’s packaging and market goals when a six-cylinder was a poor fit.
- A sound with a cause: Its firing sequence and exhaust layout give it an identifiable rhythm.
- A competition-defining combination: Turbocharging and intercooling joined permanent all-wheel drive in the quattro, linking the engine to Audi’s rally success.
- A long performance arc: The engine moved from early road cars to extreme competition applications, paused as V6s became more common, then returned in RS models.
Those documented engineering and sporting milestones make “legendary” a reasonable description of the five-cylinder’s place in Audi history. Audi’s published specifications and history support that account; they are manufacturer claims rather than an independent engineering or reliability evaluation. For a broader account of the concept’s return, see Audi’s history of the returning five-cylinder.
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