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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  Worth The Wait! - 2005 Audi A6
  By Steve - July 27 - 10:28 pm

  1040 miles on my new 4.2 and not a single flaw. Exceptionally quiet and a smoother ride than what Ive read in various reviews. The car is fun to drive and the $9K extra for the 4.2 may just be worth the extra sizzle in performance. I ordered all the options, including the solor sun roof which works well during these recent hot and dry triple digit Nevada summer days. I too switched from a 2005 5 Series BMW purchase order after taking a last minute visit to the Audi store. Fit, finish, ride all helped to change my mind. Quattro is a must during those long Lake Tahoe winters, something BMW is still trying to perfect.

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  Great car, take care of it - 2000 Audi S4
  By Dan - July 25 - 4:45 pm

  The K03 turbo chargers run out of air in the upper RPM range. In order to get full performance out of this car the turbos will need replacement. You will probably blow the stock ones anyways so plan on either getting a car that has a warranty, or spending some serious dough out of pocket to get them fixed

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  Really Nice Car - 2005 Audi A6
  By JMAX - July 24 - 1:17 pm

  Wonderful car to look at and drive. Lots of nice touches and an interior that is beautiful. It cruises really nice on the road -- have to be careful and watch how fast you really are going.

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  Nothing but poblems - 2001 Audi A6
  By Disgusted - July 23 - 2:14 am

  This is a fun car to drive, that is when it is not in the shop. Ive had so many problems with this car that I will never every consider an audi again and judging with all the things Ive been reading on the Internet, Im not in the minority. It seems like they are incapable of fixing the electrical problems assocaited with this series. What ever happened to German Craftsmanship and quality. Maybe this car was made in East Germany !

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  Worth the wait - 2006 Audi A6
  By John F - July 22 - 9:46 pm

  I had to wait several months for my 06 A6 S-Line to arrive as 4.2 S-lines are few and far between. This is my 3rd Audi and this new A6 has exceeded my expectations. I used to drive an E500, but this is so much better. The first response from the accelerator is a bit soft. But, if you step on it - it moves! Build quality and interior design and technology are the best in ANY car I have seen.

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  More fun than the A4 or TL - 2006 Audi A3
  By Bill - July 22 - 8:46 pm

  I didnt start out looking at this car. I had narrowed it down to the A4, Acura TL, or Volvo S40 T5. However after test driving it it was by far the most fun to drive of the group. Also, considering I was buying an auto so the wife could drive on occasions, that awesome DSG tranny made a huge difference. Take it from me I never thought Id be yapping about a transmission but it changes the performance substantially. Styling wise I prefer a sedan, but this has a cool look. Ive had my people comment on the cars good looks, which may be cause its a new design. Either way it represnts well, and it functional as all get out. Faster, More Fun, Less Money- It Rocks!

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  Audi Lover Cheated - 1998 Audi A4
  By Audi Lover ????? - July 22 - 7:54 pm

  I have had nothing but expense after expense which is making it difficult to justify buying another Audi despite my love for the cars. In nearly 3 years I have replaced the water pump, rear bearings, mass air sensor, power steering rack (which came from Audi faulty and was warranty replaced by local mechanic) turn signal headlight stalk, tie rod ends, sway bar links, all control arms (upper A and F R lowers), the timing belt, valve cover gaskets, mirror directional button is bad, and the car eats tires like the chocolate doughnuts I used to eat in my overweight youth. I am questioning, in anguish, the merits of fine German enigineering.

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  Too many problems - 2001 Audi A4
  By sean - July 22 - 2:30 pm

  Bought my 2001 A4 2.8 Quattro last year as a cert. pre-owned. Had to replace the CD player within the first week of having the car. Since then Ive gone through 2 more CD players. The electrical system is faulty and just recently I had to replace all the tie-rods which, last year, Audi deemed not covered in the warranty...Thanks Audi. Ive dropped over $1500 on top of payments this year on the car. Having to put premium in it is killing me because it only gets 21 mpg, especially when gas prices are $2.50+. Save your time and money. Go get something else.

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  pretty cool - 2006 Audi TT
  By david - July 22 - 1:58 pm

  I traded in an 03 M3 for this car for a little more fun.. esp in the summer. The engine could use a little more hp but it is a blast to drive w/ great paddle shifters. Why cant BMW get it right w/ SMG?? One small problem is with the seat adjustment.. you cant get it to lean back any, as I am 63" so you are sitting up pretty straight up. Had a boxster S before M3 and TT is almost as much fun but can drive all year long in northeast.. big plus for me.

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  Love it - 2005 Audi A4
  By BunnyBopp - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my Audi. I bought a demo...and absoutley love to look at it and drive it. I would reccommend this car to anyone.