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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  A8 - 2005 Audi A8
  By S Lasser - June 12 - 3:14 pm

  This is my first Audi. I have one friend who has had his A8 for 7 years and loves it. I recently retired to FL where every trip on the interstate is an exercise in survival, so I was looking for a substantial machine with good handling. Ive had my eye on the A8 ever since it was reviewed in Autoweek. I like brand consistency and the fact that the average Joe, me included, has trouble distinguishing an A4 from an A8. My previous car was a 2000 740 which served me well. Stylewise, the new 745 is too in your face for my taste.

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  Finally Fun and Toys in a Luxury Sedan - 2005 Audi A8
  By Lu - June 12 - 10:49 am

  Ive owned Mercedes, BMW and Lexus sedans. For my money, this is finally a large, luxury sedan that is fun to drive. Im also a toy fanatic. The Audi has toys of value. No electronics just to demonstrate that the engineers can achieve something. This has toys that make sense!

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  Amazing Quality - 2005 Audi A6
  By Mark - June 12 - 10:38 am

  I have had my 3.2 A6 for 3 months now and have never been back to the dealer, not once. There has not been one single thing that needed repair or adjusting. My Blackberry 7100T works perfectly with the exception of downloading the phone list and took 3 minutes to pair. I love how I can be on the phone and start the car and it switches seamlessly over to speaker. Once you get used to the MMI, it works great... even the voice recognition. Ride, handling, transmission, A/C, stereo and nav are wonderful. The interior is much better quality than BMW or Mercedes. People compliment me frequently on the cars beauty. Audi is the new standard in German luxury.

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  Impeccable interior and technology - 2005 Audi A8
  By louis - June 12 - 10:04 am

  The moment I test drove the A8 I knew that it was a car that met our high standard of a sedan. We previously owned the S Class Mercedes and found that this car surpassed it in everyway. We enjoy driving the A8 and it is a very comfortable car to drive. Passenger comfort superior in the spacious rear seats. A gem all the way!

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  love the new A6!!! - 2005 Audi A6
  By barry fain - June 11 - 1:31 pm

  I traded in a 1999 A8 for the new 2005 A6. Wow!!! Even with the smaller engine the car gives me a lot more get up and go than this cowboy could possibly need. Given that I live in a heavy snow area, the added weight of the A6 (compared to the sometime too light old A8) and of course the four wheel drive, made this baby cruise through our snowy streets, especially the hill I must negotiate to get home each night. The creature comforts are outstanding and I actually find excuses to go on journeys now... aided by both the navigation system and sirius radio. In short, I have fallen in love with this baby and look forward to many years together.

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  Fantastic ride - 2005 Audi TT
  By Don Megby - June 11 - 12:58 pm

  I purchased the TT Quattro from a friend and fell in love with it. The performance is fantastic, design, style and eye appeal is unequaled in my opinion. Ive owned many sport vehicles, but this one takes the prize!!

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  Like it more each day. - 2006 Audi A4
  By Louis - June 11 - 7:16 am

  Quattro with premium and cold weather packages. Silver with black interior. First time Audi driver. Love the agile performance of the 2.0T. Its almost too easy to get to 80 mph... the ride is so smooth. Rock solid cornering and responsive handling. Im 64" and have been most surprised by how comfortable I feel.

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  A fantasic car - 2001 Audi S8
  By Alan B. - June 10 - 11:04 pm

  My last three cars were Audis, and this one has been the best so far. I used to own a 2000 S4, but I enjoy driving this Audi S8 because of its larger size and it has more comfort and room. I just purchased a new 2005 Audi W12, so I am selling the 2001 Audi S8 on the internet. Hopefuly others will find out what a truly great car the Audi S8 is, not to mention how unique and rare this automobile is, when you want something a little different try an Audi. I am pretty tired of all the BMWs and Mercedes I see on the road so I felt this car was more unique.

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  S4 V8 Tiptronic - 2005 Audi S4
  By david smail - June 10 - 10:50 pm

  Traded a 2002 S4 with Triptonic didnt relish giving up the visceral whine of the twin turbos, but the burble of the V8s exhaust is music to my ears. The 2005.5 cost $14,000 more than the 2002 however, it has a lot more content, e.g. Recaro seats to die for, puddle lights, automatic headlights, rain sensing windshield wipers, etc. that makes the price easier to swallow. It is a mature drivers sports sedan, not a frantic M3, or boy racer STI. It is easy to drive fast responsibly. The paddle shifters can be activated while in "D" or "S" which gives you best of both worlds i.e. fully automatic or Tip. Audi Driver (UK) suggests the tip is faster after launch than the stick version...

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  I Love This Car - 2005 Audi S4
  By Ellen - June 10 - 11:02 am

  I have had so many compliments on this car. Ive been stopped in parking lots with people asking me about it because it looks so good. And it drives equally well. The backseat has room for 2. Its much roomier and more comfortable than any other convertible weve seen. Ive never been much of a car person, but I LOVE THIS CAR!