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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  S4 Cabriolet - 2005 Audi S4
  By Chris - April 26 - 1:14 am

  My 2005 Audi S4 Cabriolet is a total rocket! It was clearly built to appeal to men and it delivers with ease. I found the car more appealing than the BMW M3 Convertible. I particularly love the sound of the 340 horsepower V8 engine and the great 6 speed stick transmition. It has all the bells and whistles a luxury car should have. The electric top goes up or down in a flash. This is the most fun car Ive owned.

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  Quality Problems - 1998 Audi A4
  By Jen - April 25 - 9:05 pm

  I absolutly love my 1998 Audi A4 1.8T quattro Sedan, but I cannot believe how often I am in the service departmant at the Audi dealership. I have had to replace countless airbags, clutches, and electronic compontes. I have had to replace cracked CV boots and joints. The CD player has malfunctioned several times. I am really dissapointed at the reliability of this car. I have had to have it towed to the dealership at least three times with in the last four years. I am not impressed and will never buy an Audi again despite how much I love it, my wallet does not.

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  Gotta love that torque at 3,500 RPM - 2005 Audi S4
  By Jeremy - April 25 - 6:26 pm

  My 2005 Audi S4 Cabriolet is my third Audi to date. I used to be a BMW fanatic, but after I test drove my first A4 2.8 Quattro, I just had to trade in my BMW 325iC -- and I never looked back. I have considered the S4 for quite some time. So I said enough with the considering and it was time I got into one. Im more than glad I did! What a fun car to drive. It has excellent handling, like every Quattro model, enough power, and that V8 engine feels light. It has great smooth lines. It doesnt look intimidating, but yet its looks can be deceiving because of whats under the hood. The bad stuff -- as always, there is not a whole lot of room in the back. But for now, my 5-year old daughter loves it with the top down, and so do I!

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  Nice Ride - 2005 Audi A8
  By jw - April 25 - 4:13 pm

  I ppgraded to my Audi A8 from an A6 (which I loved) The A8 gives me the extra room that I need without giving up a sporty ride. Audi sneaks under the radar so others do not see you as driving a snobby BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

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  Can Audi build a car that is TOO good? - 2005 Audi A4
  By Scott Nelson Sturman - April 24 - 11:57 pm

  The answer is YES! I ordered my Audi A4 2.0T Quattro sedan on 11/26/04 (arrived on 2/28/05). I ordered mine loaded with Navigation, Bose w/ Sirius Radio, 6-speed manual w/Sport, Cold Weather, Lighting, & Sunshade Pkgs. I opted against Tire Pressure Monitoring (pain in the butt)! I waited a long time for this car, but it has EXCEEDED my expectations. I have been told I have a permanent grin when behind the wheel! Everything the 1.8T lacked in interior equipment, engine power, and looks has been addressed in its redesign. I get 31 mpg hwy, 27 city! I drove the BMW 3-series AWD in the snow, and found myself going down down my hill sideways. The Audi Quattro reigns supreme!

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  Simply Gorgeous - 2005 Audi S4
  By Bob - April 23 - 4:21 pm

  Easily the best car Ive ever owned, the S4 Cabriolet is just beautiful. Its exhaust sound is creamy smooth, it has a much nicer a sound than my outgoing A6 2.7T. Its interior is perfect, the only flaw being that the rear seat armrests are a little intruding. Otherwise, its a very comfortable convertible. Its a much better value than a BMW M3 Convertible, which doesnt even have power seats standard, and a much much better value than the Mercedes-Benz CLK 55, which is $85,000. The S4, almost fully- loaded, is around $60,600. I love it more than any other car.

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  Best Road Car I Have Ever Owned - 2005 Audi A8
  By rogthur - April 23 - 1:14 am

  My 2005 Audi A8 has every option available. It is a fun car, and I am proud to drive it in "uppity" Dallas. This is only my second day of ownership, but so far it has a very pleasant ride - quiet, stable, smooth, responsive. A cop stopped me and asked, "Do you know how fast you were going in this 60 MPH zone?" I said, "No, officer, I hardly even know what kind of car I am in. I just bought it yesterday, and compared to my Honda Pilot SUV, it is a dream. I was just looking for the cruise control, hidden out of sight behing the spoke of the sport wood steering wheel, so I could hold this thing down to the speed limit." He said, "Do you promise to go the speed limit?" I said, "Yes, of course." He said, "Go on."

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  Great redesign - 2005 Audi A6
  By Voyager - April 21 - 10:21 pm

  I knew Id replace my 02 A6 4.2 with an 05 when I saw the October 04 announcement of the "new" A6. The exterior look is only surpassed by the interior comfort & toys. The extra power, 335HP, was unnecessary, but welcome. I step on the gas pedal and smile. Since buying my first A6, driving in the Northeast is fun in any weather.

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  Dont Be Fooled A4 Smokes Them All - 2005 Audi A4
  By AudiFREAK21 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I test drove A4, TSX, S40 & 3-Series. TSX is cheap and slow...peices coming off demo. S40 is fast, but unrefined and noisy at speed. The 3-Series is OVERPRICED. My A4 is a 1.8t 5-Speed w/ BOSE, Premium Package & Sports Package. The interior is outstanding compared to everything else. The engine w/out Quattro makes the car REALLY fun to drive & fast. I also have averaged 33.5MPG...outstanding! Overall I love my new car. I am very happy I didnt get anything else I drove. The A4 is fun, reliable (I had a 99 A4 before & no problems over 6 years)and the insurance was the lowest..wow. You cant go wrong if you are looking at the A4.

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  Going for Japanese next time - 2000 Audi A6
  By MariaM - April 20 - 11:13 pm

  Im not impressed, considering how much this car cost and the ratings it has received. Like way too many other reviews Ive seen, Ive had many problems with the car (and of course they all happened just after the warranty ran out) - at 80,000 miles so far the following has stopped working: the computerized display, the glove box (for no apparent reason according to the dealership), the AM radio, the automatic windows, plus the transmission has started sounding scary (it lurches when changing gears). Mind you, all of these were not at all cheap to repair. Its a money sink, and Im glad to be selling it.