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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  A perfect match with DSG and V6! - 2005 Audi TT
  By ttsline - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Performance: Along with the introduction of V6 engine in TT, the biggest highlight has to be DSG or Direct Shift Gearbox tranny. This tranny has 2 clutches: 1st clutch for gear 1-3-5 and 2nd clutch for gear 2-4- 6. The result is a shifting speed that is quicker than any stick shift available anywhere on the market.This sequential gearbox also has very smooth and linear during gear transitions.

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  A even more fun car with DSG and V6 - 2004 Audi TT
  By agentt - September 26 - 2:00 am

  What more I can say?! Fun to drive. V6 and DSG push the car to another level. Especially DSG, you have to try it to believe it. So quick and smooth. And the tuned sound from the exhuasts, it makes you feel like you are inside a F1. 4WD takes me anywhere I want to go even a trip to the nearest skiing resort in the winter. So versatile, I can put 2 golf bags at the back (both rear seats have to be folded down) without any problem. Put a car seat at the back(Yes, you can put a car seat at the back. My 2 year old daughter loves to ride in my red TT), it becomes my family sport wagon.

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  Beats BMW/Volvo - 2004 Audi A6
  By Dutchgirl - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Only 2wks but love this car! Drove BMW 525 (same price range) and was NOT impressed. Would have to spend more $$$ for a 545 to match the HP and perf. of of the 2.7S. Heavenly cabin w/quality materials, tight build and responsive handling.

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  A4 Avant = Awesome Ride - 2007 Audi A4
  By Billster - September 23 - 9:43 pm

  My second A4 Avant and it is better than my 2003 was. Faster, better handling, great looking both inside and out. Better mileage and bang for your buck than any Benz or BMW out there. For $40k with most of the upgrades, this baby rocks. Black and beige is a babe magnet.

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  Great car, love that Turbo whine - 2001 Audi S4
  By splattt - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Abundant power, lots of aftermarket performance and style additions available. Its a nice stealth sedan, doesnt draw unwanted attention from the authorities.

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  Not For the "Me Too" Crowd - 2004 Audi A6
  By Audi Guy - September 21 - 2:00 am

  My Audi A6 S Line 2.7t Quattro is a stand-out car in all respects. Its interior and exterior both scream uniqueness, sport-luxury and quality. This is my second Audi A6 and the 04 is better than my 01. Ive got all the get-up-and-go I could ever need for over-taking and freeway merging and the Quattro 4 wheel drive provides that extra road handeling competence that you just have to personally experience to fully appreciate. I mean slot-car like road holding around corners. When you punch the gas, the torque just keeps pulling and pulling and before you know it, youre just going too damn fast!

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  The best Audi yet !!! - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By kjlade;riouiadsf - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I love this allroad. This is my 2nd Audi and they keep making these cars better and better ...

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  By far the best car I have owned - 2005 Audi S4
  By mlaz - September 20 - 2:00 am

  If youre looking for a car thats more soul than show, this is the car for you. Its the best of both worlds when it comes to comfort and performance. The seats are fantastic, the interior is tight and the drive is unbelievable. A pure blast to drive!

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  Exceptional - 2001 Audi A4
  By iofreeze - September 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is exceptional in most every way. Classic AUDI handling/cornering coupled with the luxurious appointments. What I really like about this vehicle that no one speaks about is the TURBO aspect. It can be changed out with an aftermarket configuration and squeeze out much more performance with ease. It is not unrealistic to get 325+ hp out of this vehicle. Overall I think the AUDI A4 is absolutely beautiful.

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  The car Ive been waiting for... - 2004 Audi S4
  By mwuagi - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine at a huge discount because it was a dealer buy- back. Apparently, some earlier S4s had engine & tranny problems, so mine got a new engine and a new transmission with "bug" fixes, and now the car runs perfectly. The previous owner should have kept it, because I am now enjoying a flawless vehicle! We all know about the super performance and the bad gas mileage, so lets get past that and talk about what a great stealth vehicle this car is. I also own a heavily modified Mitsu Eclipse GSX that is a "Fast and Furious" type vehicle, but my S4 outperforms it, and has quiet "class" as well. With the premium package, this car is tops! M3? Humbug!