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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  Stop thinking and buy it! - 2008 Audi TT
  By Coles Dad - March 30 - 7:43 pm

  I first saw the Audi TT on the road and immediately started to do my research. After attending the Chicago auto show, I was sold on the TT and had to have one I now own a 3.2L 6 speed manual and can desribe this vehicle in one word: powerful. Driving this car is truly an experience and we cannot wait to take it for a long drive. The car handles so well that I can drive 90 mph and not feel any vibration. If you are thinking of buying this vehicle, stop thinking and buy. You will love it!

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  Beautiful Car... But Lots of Problems - 2000 Audi TT
  By mgio - March 29 - 9:38 pm

  IIve owned my TT for 8+ years and 115,000 miles. Its had its share of problems and is not cheap to fix: dead water pump, broken steering rack, two broken ABS sensors, broken wheel bearing, dead ECU, misfiring cylinder, two broken instrument clusters, blown Bose speaker, etc. I still feel its one of the best looking cars on the road and it STILL turns heards today eight years later but its dying at only 115,000 miles and I need to sell it and something at least a little bit reliable. There is nothing like this car out there anymore though. The new TTs just arent the same.

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  Awesome - 2002 Audi A4
  By GMF - March 29 - 4:56 pm

  Just to put it in perspective - -I bought a 2002 Subaru Outback VDC Wagon for about the same price as the Audi A4 1.8 Quattro Wagon with options. I was so blown away when I drove my freinds Audi shortly after I bought the Outback - that I traded it in, took the loss, and got my Audi - -For 30k, there simpy isnt another car that drives like an suid, with all of the safety, conformt and style to boot.

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  allroadchuck - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By allroadsparky - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Have a home in Palm Springs and in Cripple Creek,Colorado.Spent the month of July in Colorado,and just drove the auto.Love it.Can it climb.

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  Best in B-segment. - 2004 Audi S4
  By 04S4 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  More versatile than an M3 and more sporting character than a C32 AMG and S60R...Car and Driver likes it better than the M3 and C32, and so do I. If you want a smooth rocket-ship with plenty of torque on tap for just about anything you want to do, its there. Quattro handles like a dream and the car looks awesome.

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  The perfect luxury car! - 2007 Audi A8
  By F1 Man - March 28 - 9:01 pm

  This car represents the perfect blend between luxury accomodations and sporty performance. While other luxury cars (S550, BMW750 & lS460)seem to be good in some areas and weak in others, the A8 is excellent in every single area and weak in none. The ride is superb, design flawless and the handling is simply amazing, extremely nimble for a large car. The attention to detail is impeccable everywhere you look and the ergonomics is simply fantastic. The interior will put "anything" south of 200K to shame. These days I find myself running more errands. I wonder why..

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  New A5 Owner - 2008 Audi A5
  By wongo - March 28 - 1:32 pm

  Owning and driving this vehicle is like a breath of fresh air. Despite the fact that its a lot of fun to drive, the positive attention that is received is unbelievable. I was surprised that certain people had no idea that Audi was launching an A5 model until they saw mine on the road.

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  1-Year Update on A3 2.0T DSG - 2008 Audi A3
  By jlesica - March 28 - 8:03 am

  Im nearing 1 year of ownership! Havent put on many miles (13k), but most were hard miles through Boston. Car was outstanding in the winter, traction control and stability performed very nicely. I was considering the Quattro when I bought it, but now Im glad I didnt spend the extra 8k, its not worth it. No mechanical problems to speak of. I found out that a golf bag wont fit in the back without putting the seat down. Maybe time to upgrade to an A4 Wagon? If only it had the A3 interior. Oh yea, and for those confused by the fact you cant tilt the windshield wipers up in the winter before a storm, turn the car off then hit the wiper lever, they come half way up!

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  High Maintenance - 2001 Audi A6
  By Vishnu - March 28 - 12:22 am

  Its a luxury sedan(I wouldnt call it luxury sports) since it doesnt handle corners as well as a BMW would. Quattro is good and it has a solid body. But parts under the hood are very unreliable and break often. Ive had the cam seals and valve cover gaskets changed twice, headlamp went out, coolant leak(water pump changed), wheel cracked, door handle cable snapped, cup-holder broken, oxygen sensors failed. I spent $4000 last month fixing all the above and a timing belt at a local mechanic(dealership wouldve cost me $6000) And now the auto-dimming rearview mirror is broke - i plan to fix it myself

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  Sweet! - 2007 Audi A4
  By RoweAudi - March 27 - 8:43 pm

  Ive been eyeing and dreaming of driving this car for 7 years, you hear me, 7 years! Solid performance, nice handling, luxurious interior, a product of real German engineering. Really does well on turning on sharp curves, it hugs the road. You name it, rain, snow, ice, its there, 4 seasons in a year! Yeah, it gets bored in the summer.