What North American name was used for the Audi 100?

In North America, the Audi 100 was sold as the Audi 5000.

The name was used chiefly for the C2 and C3 generations sold in the United States and Canada from 1978 to 1988. Audi’s European model designation emphasized the car’s engine-displacement heritage, while “5000” gave the North American version a distinct market identity.

The Audi 5000 was a mid-size executive car available with inline-five-cylinder engines, including turbocharged and diesel variants. It helped establish Audi as a serious competitor to European luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz in North America.

The name also became associated with controversy after reports of sudden unintended acceleration involving 5000 models in the 1980s. A 1986 60 Minutes report intensified the issue, although later investigations found that the television demonstration had been manipulated. Audi eventually shifted to the A6 naming system, and the Audi 100’s successor became the A6.