Edging out the Ford Sierra as Car of the Year in Europe, the 1982 Audi 100 (C3) had a remarkable aerodynamic look, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.30 for its smoothest base model. The increased aerodynamic efficiency resulted in better fuel economy and consumers all over the world were wakingh up to this fact. This became a great marketing tool for Audo in the 1980s and market a huge leap foward from the boxy shape of the previous Audi 100, as well as the technology it introduced, such a the procon-ten safety system.

audi was able to follow up on the modern smooth look fist seen in the segment of the 1987 NSU Ro80; this rounded look became the norm by the 1990's. It also set a styling trend of flush wheel covers, a thick black side door moulding and blacked out widow frames, eventually adopted by a range of cars from the 1984 Honda Accord to the Ford Taurus, and American made saloons from 1986. Audi innovated flush windows on the 100, a key area for aerodynamic drag that has been adopted by virtually all manufacturers today.

The Audi 100 Avant (C3) was introduced in 1983 as the manufacturer's first attempt at an estate car based on the 100. The 200 continued as the upmarket variant with several versions of the 2.2 turbo 5-cylinder engine available in different markets. The 100 also featured a 2.5 direct injection turbo-diesel (TDI) model with 118bhp/88kw introduced in 1990.