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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  Get the S-Line - 2008 Audi A4
  By jeff howard - November 29 - 6:49 pm

  This is my third Audi, and by far my favorite. I enjoy the throatiness of the turbo and think that the new 2.0 is one of the ten best engines in the world. I confess to dropping quattro this time both to improve fuel economy and to free up enough $ to spring for the S-Line. Sure all new 2008 sedans have S-line styling on the body, but not the 18" wheels, sport suspension, and superb interior trim. My advice is to spring for it, as you hardly ever see the 18" wheels on A4 and it enhances the look tremendously. I am delighted, too, with the granite gray color which shifts with the changing light and weather... always a pleasure to come across it anew.

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  My First Audi - 2006 Audi A4
  By JFW - November 28 - 12:50 pm

  I have owned an Acura, 2 Hondas, a Volvo, Chevy Blazer, and 2 Land Rover Discoverys and now an Audi. Based on my experience so far, I will hopefully own nothing but Audis going forward. This is a wonderful car. Build quality and fit and finish are superb. I have never felt safer in any car. Even with the 2.0 litre engine, acceleration is very spirited (even though there is some hesitation at take-off) and I find myself cruising well above the legal limit without even realizing it. Living in the mid-Atlantic area, I was hesitant to give up 4WD from my Land Rover, so quattro was a major factor in choosing the Audi. Looked at the 3-Series BMW, but the Audi is a much more impressive vehicle.

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  Great Ride - 2008 Audi A4
  By John - November 28 - 10:41 am

  We have only had the car for a month, but we are loving it so far. The ride is very comfortable and quiet, yet the vehicle holds the road extremely well. The styling of the car is beautiful inside and out.

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  Audi does European delivery - 2008 Audi A8
  By Brian Sonnenberg - November 25 - 9:02 am

  After years of Mercedes ownership (and a brief BMW period) I finally got over to Audi. This car is everything that Mercedes used to be. Understatedly elegant, fantastically finished and user friendly. What a true pleasure to drive. In fact, what a pleasure to just sit in. Nobody does interiors like Audi. It is just beautiful, comfortable, and functional. We took delivery in Germany at Ingolstadt, which was a once in a lifetime experience, and did use it on the Autobahn. 130 mph is like 60 mph. wonderful road car! While I think Mercedes has lost their way, Audi seems to have really found theirs. Some people are put off by the conservative styling of the exterior. I find it refreshing.

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  Best in class - 2005 Audi A6
  By iamsville - November 21 - 10:55 am

  This is my first Audi and am happy! Very refined interior, lots of features but not gimmicky. Excellent ride and quattro is amazing. Little roll in corners, excellent brakes and pick up. 30 mpg on highways and can take regular fuel if pushed. Nice looking exterior though the grill stands out. Though Im on my 3rd read of the manual, the MMI is generally intuitive and you can get the basics without reading anything. Generally, a great performing car with excellent road manners. Is sporty, quiet, elegant, frugal, refined and satisfying. I like just sitting in it and my family too.

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  6 Years of great Driving and Reliability - 2001 Audi A6
  By donschwinn - November 16 - 2:50 pm

  Im the original owner. 78k miles now. Replaced brakes and tires twice. Had 2 minor mechanical problems fixed under warranty. Gets 26 mpg on the highway 22 around town. It has the perfect combination of sporty handling and acceleration along with comfortable cruising. I keep thinking about a new one (the 6-year itch) but this one has a lot of life and fun driving left in it. This is my 3rd Audi--1988, 1996. Each was excellent.

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  08 Audi TT - 2008 Audi TT
  By wenglish23 - November 15 - 12:37 pm

  I have only had the car for less than a month but love it. I traded an 03 Audi TT which I thought was a great car but it pales in comparison to the new one. Extremely fun to drive but be careful, I just got my first speeding ticket in 10 years with it. Very tight, responsive, and roomy for a 2 seater. Bluetooth has not worked properly since I bought it and am taking it back to service (again) next week. The bluetooth receives very clearly but transmission is broken up to the point the other person can barely understand what I am saying.

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  Excessive Fun - 2008 Audi TT
  By Eddie - November 14 - 3:53 pm

  Wait -- let me wipe the silly grin off my face. How much fun can you have in a car? Design, build, performance are all first rate. First Audi I have owned and I am impressed. Its quick, nimble, but comfortable and accomodating. The interior looks and feels so much better than the Mercedes and BMW we test drove (forego the standard Alcantara upholstery - the Napa leather upgrades are worth the extra money). It turns heads wherever it goes.

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  Damn good car - 2008 Audi A4
  By cant say - November 13 - 11:13 pm

  Ive looked at everything - BMW, Acura, MB, Lexus, etc - finally settled on the Audi and havent regretted it since. The car is a pleasure to drive and its obvious that someone put some thought into building this monster. Fun to drive, beautiful inside and out - cant get enough. I didnt go with any of the "extra" options - theyre a bit pricey and dont really add much to the experience. I think you can figure out when to turn on the lights and wipers.

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  Love my Audi A8L - 2006 Audi A8
  By Bill J - November 12 - 11:20 am

  I have owned every major brand of luxury car and without question, this is the finest. The fit and finish is exceptional. The interior surrounds you in the finest wood and leather and the attention to detail in the interior trim is second to none. The exterior styling always draw attention whereever we go. We have had the car for 18 months and it has been trouble free. Several times my wife and I have been stuck in traffic and we have commented "so what" this car is one of the most comfortable places we could be. The car has plenty of power and actually feels like a much smaller car in the way it handles. This is my first Audi and I highly reccomend it.