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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  Style, Quality and Fun Fun Fun - 2007 Audi A4
  By Mike - April 18 - 12:18 am

  Very satisfied with my new 07 A4 3.2Q S-Line and titanium pkg. Ive received glowing remarks on the Quartz metallic exterior and most people "get" the smooth quality interior. Ive got the Navigation system with Sirius radio and enjoy every minute in this fun to drive rocket. As many have mentioned, the 3.2 engine has serious pull and the suspension keeps the car hugging the curves. The seamless bluetooth technology is just another added creature comfort, so is the MP3 compatibility. Love this car!

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  FANTASTICO!! - 2007 Audi S6
  By Marcello - April 17 - 10:27 pm

  I just puchased this amazing car and let me tell you, its everything that I ever thought it would be, only much much more. The design is perfect starting from the body right down to the beautiful interior with soft Italian napa leather seats and a console that lights up like a 747 jet cockpit at night. Being from Italy though, I will tell you that the most impressive thing about this amazing machine is the roar and power of its V-10 Lamborghini Gallardo engine,and the handling that this car has in the curves. This is proably the best money that I have ever spent. I still cant beleive that my wife let me buy it! (She loves it too.) And so will you !!

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  Fun car! But very expensive to fix! - 2003 Audi A4
  By trending - April 17 - 3:29 pm

  First A4, owned 2.5 years now. Very fun to drive, Quattro makes it handle like a dream. Very good in slippery weather. 60K regular service cost $700 at Audi dealer. 3 months later car needed all 4 brakes to pass state inspection $950! rotors must be replaced at each brake job (every 30K to 40K depending on how you drive). 2 months after brake job Bose stereo quit working. Not covered under CPO extended warranty $1700. Very expensive to own after original 50K warranty expires!

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  Top of all cars - 2007 Audi S8
  By vikster - April 17 - 11:13 am

  I have owned and driven all cars from S500 to Porsche to BMW to Maserati to Ferrari. This is by far the best car I have owned and driven. It is a car which one can drive hard or soft. The full option version is one to go for which is with the Bang and Olufsen stereo - this is a must it really improves a sound quality.

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  Partially Underrated - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Johan WA - April 16 - 1:56 pm

  Very good, safe vehicle. Convenient. Great on winter roads to go skiing – perfect; never put winter tires on it and never slipped once. I don’t like the rugged bumper-look, however, you do spend most of your time on the inside looking out, so the interior must be super-good, and it is, comfy and lots of gizmos. Variable ground clearance is the coolest – it’s why I got it. I expected it all to be broken by now, but 100,000 miles later it still works (and I use that toy). They say EPA is 16/23 city/high: my combined average is 22.1mpg at an average speed of 33mph, but I am a very gentle/boring driver. Overall smooth and relaxed vehicle; go anywhere any speed, over a pass or valet parking.

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  Audi 2.0T Quattro 6M - 2007 Audi A4
  By System - April 16 - 10:10 am

  Ive purchased this vehicle about a week ago. I was also looking at Acura TL, Infiniti G35, and Lexus IS 250 as well. In my opinion, Acura had the best quality and price. However, Audi was much more fun to drive and has AWD feature which is very helpful for me (I live in Boston). I am satisfied with my vehicle.

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  Fun SUV - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Razors - April 14 - 8:51 am

  Ive own many different SUVs over the past 12 years from two Fords (Exp), Subaru (B9), Jeeps and even my wifes KIA which was a mistake. The Q7 3.6 premium is fun to drive, responsive but still a SUV (weight). I drove the BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo before I decided on the Q7. The Q7 handles like a heavy sport car as you fill the road a little too much with the 20 inch wheels. The fit and finish is exceptional. A great buy and really fun to drive. Watch your speed, as you may not notice how fast you are going. Options can make the car a little pricey. But you pay for what you get.

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  Great Decision - 2007 Audi S8
  By Overwhelmed - April 10 - 10:13 pm

  As with the few other owners, I debated the choices. When it came right down to it, making the selection for an S8 was more about uniqueness, performance, comfort and subtlety. What I didnt expect when making the decision, and to my great surprise (since it is almost impossible to test drive them prior to purchase) was: 1) how great it handles, drives and performs, 2) how modern the electronics are (iPod and satellite and telephone integration systems and suspension control), 3) how comfortable it is AND how much fun it is to drive, and 4) that it keeps getting better. I find the power band perfectly tweaked for a luxury sedan - great performance as an automatic, amazing performance as a manual/ tiptronic.

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  S6 Rules - 2007 Audi S6
  By Tuck - April 9 - 4:24 pm

  I smile as the starter whirrs and the engine lights up! This is a REAL sports sedan. Drives totally different from my 2006 A6: engine, suspension, steering, brakes, handling. Worth each dollar!

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  Engine Failed - 2007 Audi A4
  By jaa - April 9 - 3:58 pm

  After 4500 miles, the engine on my A4 developed a knock on the passenger side. Audi has replaced the air pump, ECU, and is now replacing the cylinder head. I am concerned that such a new motor has failed, and that Audi has instructed the dealer to break it open and repair it rather then replace the motor or vehicle.