Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Quattro - 1997 Audi A6
  By Fs2 - January 26 - 2:00 am

  The 1997 Audi a6 is a weather monster perform perfect with the "Quattro" awd system and no 1 can do it better than audi. Has a great fight at the red line

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  Beautiful Wagon - 1999 Audi A6
  By Audi Girl - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Without a doubt, the Audi A6 Avant is a stunning car to look at. Although I didnt have many problems with it, it is now out of warranty and Im getting rid of it before it attacks me in the wallet. Too expensive to fix and I fear a transmission problem developing ("clunking" at 70+ mph. Have had to replace the tires twice in 3 years and I keep losing trim pieces: cupholders fall apart and the cover on the headlight washers have fallen of, while driving, 4 times and Ive had to replace them. It is a lovely vehicle, but dont keep it past its warranty!

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  Beware of temperature sensitive glass - 2002 Audi A4
  By NDanger - January 23 - 2:00 am

  rear hatch/door window is very fragile in extremely cold temps. Currently waiting 5-6 weeks for replacement.... from Germany!

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  Awesome Ride - 1997 Audi A6
  By guzinta - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this car. Its like a rock on the road. Extremely comfortable, ample power, very good handling in all types of weather. Very smooth shifting (auto trans). My only complaint is the location of the cup holder.

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  Great drive bad reliability - 2000 Audi A6
  By b williams - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used in October 2003 with 30k. In one month I have replace brakes, roters (and they still squeek, Repaired many cabin rattles, and need to replace leeky valve cover gaskets. The car is fun to drive but I wished I had not bought it.

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  Great when running - 1998 Audi A6
  By Whaleya2 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  The car is very fun to drive, however things keep breaking. The car has 32K on it and in the last 12 months I have spent over $4,000 on repairs. Some I did some repairs myself and others I took to an independent shop or the dealer. Since this review is limited to 700 characters I cant even begin to list the problems

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  Great balance of power security and fun - 2001 Audi A6
  By giaz - January 15 - 2:00 am

  After trading in a lexus gs300, I couldnt wait for the first snowfall. The salesperson told me not to bother getting snow tire - he gave me his cell number and told me he come and push my car if it ever got stuck. Hes was right. I get great peformance and no white knuckles in the chicago winter.

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  A Beautiful but Unfaithful Lover - 1998 Audi A4
  By sleelio - January 10 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the nicest cars Ive ever driven. The faster you go, the better it gets - all the little rattles go away and it hugs the road beautifully. However, this car has had too many problems - broken ignition (waited 6 months for the part), heater core failed, 2 CV boots busted, water pump failed, broken radiator fan, sunroof problems, remote key works only when it feels like it. Weve taken good care of this care and done all the suggested maintenance, but it hasnt taken care of us.

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  MUST HAVE $$$ TO BLOW - 1998 Audi A4
  By MIKEO71 - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Cant possibly fit all of my experiences in this small review. Purchased used w/ 50k miles, audi assured, well maintained by Audi by the book. Secretly phoned dealer where car was originally serviced and found it had many issues not disclosed to me prior to purchase. Numerous issues, some major and other minor. Audi servi ce is bad (5 different dealers in 3 different states).

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  Happy and driving - 2004 Audi A6
  By Frggp - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I had many friends who owned Audis in the past circa mid 80s. THey loved the performance and hated the maintainence problems. I waited some fifteen years. I love the car. So far, 16,000 miles and counting I have had no appreciable problems. The regular service has been incredibly good, punctual, and reliable. Actually, they have even been kind. I would strongly recommend this car. A6 and A6 allroad.