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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  2 Thumbs up from a car guy - 2006 Audi A3
  By ken43319 - April 21 - 9:54 am

  I am an automotive engineer with a large transplant company from Japan...this was my 1st German car. I am very impressed! Interior/exterior fit/finish is Japanese quality, material quality is tops, handling is extremely good (I got the sport suspension-a little harsh, excuse me, good road input, but thats the way car guys like it!), acceleration is a blast! On 2 lane back roads, down shift, tag the gas and youre by grandma and the semi in a wink of the eye! No turbo lag and terrific fuel economy. Who could ask for anything more? Well, my guests said they could use more rear seat leg room-I think Ill leave them at home next time. This is not your wifes soccer wagon!

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  my A4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By michelledep - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car i have ever owned. It was great in the snow, handled well. Its just as much fun in other climates as well. a sleek stylish design that turns heads!

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  Lexus and Mercedes Move Over! - 2006 Audi A8
  By David - April 20 - 5:08 pm

  After years of being afraid to purchase a German luxury car I finally decided to start looking at them again. Having driven a Lexus LS for many years I was looking to get something more driver oriented. The A8L was the car that stood out. I love this car!! The quality of the interior is amazing, the MMI sysytem is super easy to work and the handling is superior to the Mercedes S550 and the Lexus LS430. In bad weather the Quattro All-Wheel-Drive is very self assuring and Im able to get everywhere I need to go. This is the car to have. Im very very happy and satisfied with my purchase.

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  Probably the Worlds Best Luxury Hatch - 2006 Audi A3
  By NeverFollow - April 19 - 11:04 pm

  I bought the A3 as a "spare" car alongside an S4 Cabriolet, and couldnt be happier. I suddenly find myself letting the wife drive the convertible so I can get a zippy little hatch for the city! Gorgeous inside and out, responsive, mileage almost as good as my sons Civic coupe, great handling, that transmission.

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  A Good Car, A Strong Car, A Good Choice - 2001 Audi A4
  By eeeveee - April 19 - 10:00 am

  A petite car with the power of a bulldozer. Its a car to drive when you want to pass another going uphill, downhill, and, any other way you need to drive safely and quickly; To feel it grip the road on icy, waterey, snowy roads youll immediately be thankful for selecting a car with AWD- its an awesome feel of safety, comfort and security.

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  A Delight to Drive - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Phoenix traveler - April 19 - 9:43 am

  We wanted SUV performance without the bulk. As occassional off roaders who spend many hours driving long distance freeway miles we were looking for a multi purpose car. The Audi allroad has more than met our expectations.

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  my dream car... - 2002 Audi TT
  By Gus - April 17 - 11:01 am

  It is all you need on a car!! Fast and reliable! Since I was a kid I was dreaming about the car!! The only problem: cops! they really chase you all around!! Audis warranty is also awesome!! They really take care of you and your car!!

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  Style - 2006 Audi A6
  By Nad.Ffog - April 16 - 11:03 pm

  This is my second Audi A6 Avant (wagon). I love the outdoors, and this car is a perfect compliment. This past winter, Ive skiied in the Sierra Nevada Mtns almost every weekend. Huge snows. Even with the stock M&S tires, this car performs magically. The A6 Quattro definitely inspires confidence.

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  A6 vs 530i - 2006 Audi A6
  By das - April 16 - 3:06 pm

  My 2006 BMW 530i was totaled in an accident after 3 months and since it took 6 weeks for the repair shop to get BMW to determine it was totaled, I elected to go with an A6. Both are great cars. The 530 has better low end torque and is quicker off the line. Both have a great road feel. The Audi Navigation and computer are much more user friendly. As far as gas mileage, I was getting 20+ with the BMW. Im getting similar mileage with the Audi although my last tank was around 18 - 19.

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  Quattro BLAST! - 2006 Audi A3
  By RobPaul - April 15 - 11:22 am

  This car is a 4wheel Quattro BLAST! I considered the Subaru WRX as another fast mini-wagon, but after comparing the 2, the Audi made the Subaru seem cheap and tinny. The DSG (direct shift gearbox) is amazingly smooth and snappy as any manual transmission shifter can do on their own.