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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  New A8L even better than old - 2004 Audi A8
  By amschmidt - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I loved my 01 A8L and didnt think that it could be improved upon - but the new car is better in every way. I didnt even consider any other brand. The MMI was frustrating for the first few days, but has now become second nature. I couldnt be more pleased.

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  What German Engineering Means - 2002 Audi A4
  By ChrisW - June 17 - 2:00 am

  What a well designed and thought out vehicle. A real pleasure to drive. Takes curves w/ ease. Fantastic gas mileage @70+ mph @ 35mpg. Roomy and seats 4 comfortably. Lots of amenities.

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  What my Porsche Carrera 4S wasnt - 2002 Audi TT
  By TTDPM - June 16 - 2:00 am

  The Audi TT ALMS is everything my C4S wasnt, and what I expected it to be. My C4S was fast, handled well, and was awd. Thats where the similarities end. The C4S had switches from a JC Whitney catalog. The wipers screamed old generation VW bug. The ALMS TT is comfortable, well built, and has storage to boot, and at about 50K less than the C4, its a steal. Anyone who complains about this car should buy an exotic, and live in it for one week, and realize what a great car they are driving

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  love it and hate it - 2002 Audi A4
  By dvic - June 16 - 2:00 am

  love the car past 2nd gear and on twistys-hate the car at stop lights when tauruses and accords arent working nearly as hard to go just as fast or faster - audi shouldnt have allowed 1.8T to be purchased with sport package/wheels - this car looks fast but is not - remember guys, form follow function! plus my suspension started squeeking like an old stagecoach after 6 months - they still havent fixed it!! great looking and comfy overall - would buy another but either v6 or s4 - never again 1.8T!!

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  Only buy if a factory certified car... - 1999 Audi A4
  By Glock88 - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought used as a factory certified car, 2yr/100k warranty. Unfortunately had to use the warranty several times. New turbo, new sunroof, a new rear speaker, new seals on awd axles, new mass air flow sensor. otherwise, a great car. My first German car, always had Japanese, not used to the niggling problems. It is quiet, great on the highway, the quattro is great can even notice in the rain turning corners. Only gets 21mpg around town (premium gas only). Love the way the car looks, get a lot of complements. Fast car for only having 150hp.

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  Top of the Class - 2004 Audi A8
  By 52Ray52 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  This car has raised the bar on the Luxury Sedan Class. Quality, Comfort, Fit & Finish at supurb. The drive is unique for the class, very sporty yet no less luxurious than a Mercedes S Class or BMW 745Li. Audi deserves a standing O for this one!

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  A4 #2 and I love it! - 2001 Audi A4
  By Pegmac - June 14 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1996 manual A4 Quattro,sold it to my brother and bought the 2001 automatic with triptronic. I love these cars! Once you sit in one and drive, you are spoiled for life!

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  audi s-8 - 2003 Audi S8
  By sami - June 13 - 2:00 am

  this is such a fun hard fast car

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  Best of both worlds - 2003 Audi A6
  By RPF - June 13 - 2:00 am

  A masterful blend of sport and luxury. Capable handling without a punishing ride. More than adequate power, albeit not as muscular as some other comparable offerings. Comfortable without the squishiness of domestic offerings. Proper use of technology for purpose and not just gee-whiz gadgets.

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  EXCELLENT GERMAN CAR - 2002 Audi A4
  By jjvillar - June 11 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS AMAZING, GOOD PERFORMANCE, CONFORTABLE, GOOD QUALITY, AND GOOD SERVICE.