Audi 80, BMW M3 E36, Mercedes 190, Opel Kadett A, Porsche 944 and 968 without forgetting the surprising Smart Crossblade and the Volkswagen Caddy. All these Germans celebrate their 10, 20, 30 or even 60 years in 2022. Discover in pictures those who are starting a new decade.
These Germans all have one thing in common: they take on another year in 2022 and all start a new decade! When some show the weight of years, others have not aged a bit. Here is a retrospective of the models released between 1962 and 2012.
TO HAVE. All German cars launched in 2022
Audi
Audi 80 (B1) (1972-1978). The Audi 80 foreshadowed a whole generation of family sedans. This is the ancestor of the Audi A4.
Let’s take advantage of this article on birthdays by starting by celebrating Audi’s. The brand with the rings blows out its 90 candles in 2022. It was in 1932 that the Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer brands came together under the same coat of arms to form Auto Union. After the war, the factories were dismantled but some of the employees joined those of DKW in Ingolstadt, the city where Audi’s current headquarters are located.
- Audi 80 (B1) (1972-1978)
- Audi 100 (C3) (1982-1995)
- Audi RS6 (C5) (2002-2004)
- Audi A8 (D3) (2002-2010)
- Audi RS4 Avant (B8) (2012-2015)
- Audi S8 (D4) (2012-2017)
- Audi A6 Allroad (C7) (2012-2018)
- Audi S6 (C7) (2012-2018)
- Audi A3 (8V) (2012-2020)
Bmw
2022 marks the anniversary of BMW’s sports division. This year, Motorsport is 50 years old! Who hasn’t dreamed of owning one of these sports sedans in their garage? One of them is just celebrating her birthday… The M3 E36 is 30 years old and thus officially obtains the status of “collector car”.
- BMW 1500 (1962-1964)
- BMW 3200CS (1962-1965)
- BMW 5 Series (E12) (1972-1981)
- BMW 3 Series (E30) (1982-1991)
- BMW M3 (E36) (1992-1999)
Mercedes
Mercedes-Benz SL (W194) (1952-1953). 70 years ago, an automobile icon was born: the Mercedes SL, for “Sport Leicht”. She won the famous Panamericana race when she left.
The star brand is celebrating several model anniversaries in 2022. The Mercedes 190 or Baby Benz – symbol of the constructor – celebrates its 40th birthday. The CLK-Class (W209) and the E-Class (W211) are 20 years old while the CL coupe (C140) is turning thirty. Finally, a second Mercedes legend is in the spotlight this year: the SL. A 70-year-old granny who hasn’t aged a bit!
- Mercedes-Benz SL (W194) (1952-1953)
- Mercedes-Benz SLC (C107) (1972-1981)
- Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201) (1982-1988)
- Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) (1992-1999)
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) (2002-2009)
- Mercedes-Benz CLK (W209) (2002-2010)
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) (2012-2018)
- Mercedes-Benz Citan (W415) (2012-2021)
Opel
At Opel, the year 2022 marks the 60e anniversary of the Opel Kadett A, one of the ancestors of the Astra! The German manufacturer is also celebrating the half-century of the Commodore B which, in 1978, was ousted by the Monza. The A2 generation, launched in 1982, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. We also wish “Alles Gute zum Geburtstag” to the first Opel Corsa of the name which also joins the club of forties.
- Opel Kadett (A) (1962-1965)
- Vauxhall Commodore (B) (1972-1978)
- Vauxhall Monza (A2) (1982-1986)
- Vauxhall Corsa (A) (1982-1993)
- Vauxhall Vectra (C) (2002-2008)
Porsche
A 911 celebrates its birthday in 2022, it’s the legendary Carrera RS 2.7! She blows out her 50 candles. Two unloved purists are also entering a new decade: the 944 (40 years old) and the 968 (30 years old).
- Porsche 911 Carrera RS (1972-1973)
- Porsche 944 (1982-1989)
- Porsche 968 (1992-1995)
Smart
20 years ago came out a real ORNI called Crossblade. A car without a roof, windscreen or doors, limited to 2,000 numbered copies, 50 of which are reserved for France. When it was released, the Crossblade demanded more than €25,000 from its future owner. His career was short-lived and Smart never renewed the project.
- Smart Crossblade (2002-2003)
Volkswagen
Before it turns into a MPV, the Volkswagen Caddy was a pick-up. In 2022, he celebrates his 40th birthday. As for the Volkswagen 412, the little-known ancestor of the Passat, it joins the fifties club.
- Volkswagen Type 4 (412) (1972-1974)
- Volkswagen Caddy (1982-1992)
