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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  A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By AWDfreak - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Beats BMW Xis...classier than a Lexus, cheaper than a Benz...hhmmm...one complaint though, could up the HP a bit...

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  love my A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By steiner - March 2 - 10:00 am

  No complaints so far, just want to keep driving!

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  A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By alfonsseca - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I wish my other car was this one too...but I guess one is enough, Im broke now, but I love driving everyday.

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  awesome - 2003 Audi A4
  By playcard - March 2 - 10:00 am

  A4 deserves all the accolades, smooth drive, well built

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  Audi A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By Faye - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I brought the car out to pick up my co- workers the other day, they were impressed. One guy had an IS 300 and the other guy has an M5. Both thought that the car had a good balance of sportiness, luxury, and value.

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  Audi A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By MikeyT - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This car is everywhere in LA, and I thought I was the first ones to get it there. My girlfriend loves the ride, 100% Euro feel, very glad I traded in my Lex.

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  A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By MaggieSegler - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I was comparing this car to the IS 300, but then I drove both cars and didnt think for another sec.

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  Quattro A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By Gordon12 - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Its really nice to know that my car will handle well in all types of weather.

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  Excellence All Around - 2003 Audi A4
  By calle37 - March 2 - 10:00 am

  After approximately ten months of driving both long distance and city absolutely nothing has caused me to doubt the wisdom of this purchase. The car has performed perfectly with not a single thing to report under the blanket coverage warranty. The only design flaw detected is that the rear head rests rob some of the rear view vision. Easily solved by removing them to the sizable trunk, held down by the thoughtfully provided netting. The car- -which replaced a Mercedes--has won me over to Audi for its exellence all around.

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  Door is solid - 2003 Audi A4
  By texasstud - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Judge cars not by their price, but their quality, but for this car, it kicks ass in both department!!!