What causes the Audi 80's common cooling system failure?

I recently experienced a cooling system failure in my Audi 80 and I'm unsure of what caused it. The car did not have any previous overheating issues and I regularly maintained the coolant levels. However, after driving for a few hours on a hot day, the temperature gauge suddenly shot up to the red zone and I had to pull over and call for a tow. Can anyone provide insight on the possible cause of this issue?

It is likely that your car's water pump failed. This is a common issue in older Audi models and can lead to sudden overheating. Check for any leaks in the cooling system and replace the water pump if necessary.