The Audi 50 began production in 1974 and shared a platform with the Volkswagen Polo, which began production a year later. The two cars were almost identical. The 50 was an attempt to break into the "B-segment" class or "supermini" as it was known in Europe. The 50 was only available in a three-door hatchback body style. Two engine options were available, a 1.1L or 1.3L transversely-mounted inline-four-cylinder. Audi's 50 was front-wheel-drive and offered only a four-speed manual transmission. After selling almost 200,000 units, the Audi 50 ceased production in 1978 with no direct successor.