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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  this is the one - 2002 Audi S4
  By cup - September 14 - 2:00 am

  for 40k I would buy the s4, even for 60 I would still buy a s4 and keep the rest. I mean, whats better? m3, well it has little problem with the transmission and a big problem with 8k redline. If it bothers you that the s4 goes 5.5 then a chip and exhaust will do. and when you run race fuel, the s4 gain more hp then other cars gain. So, unless you just dont like the look, its a great car to own.

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  Fun to drive and gets all the looks! - 2001 Audi TT
  By julie - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Had the Audi TT 225 Quattro for almost a year now and still love it! It gets more looks than most cars on the road yesterday I even got a thumbs up. The handling is the best aspect of the car and the acceleration is not far behind. Add the amazing warranty and great sales and service experience at The Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills, CA (ask for Lisa in sales and Klaus in service.) I am so pleased with almost all the aspects of this car. The only two down sides of the vehicle are the non-adjustable headrests and the very small trunk (had a blow out after hitting a huge pothole and the wheel wouldnt even fit in the trunk.)

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  Phenominal car - 2001 Audi S4
  By SpecialK22 - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 2001 S4 about 2 months ago with 7K miles. It is the automatic w/ tiptronic. I wanted to purchase the manual but with a lot of city driving and myself being 6 feet 5 inches it is hard to shift. I test drove the BMW 330i, volvo s70, ssab 93 viggen and none of them compared to the S4. This car handles great and the acceleration off of the twin turbos is second to none.

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  Love my allroad - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Edmond Kalestiantz - September 11 - 6:50 am

  Have driven and owned 14 Mercedes Benz cars since 86. My last MB was 06 ML 350. Bought my 1st Audi and it is perfect in every way. Our 04 Allroad is a CPO car in perfect condition. We are 2nd owner and I love driving it, it is an absolute blast. Gas millage is not very good, but I was not looking for an economical car. I probably will drive less 5000 miles per yer.

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  5 passenger 911 - 2002 Audi S8
  By wclark - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Great road car. Steering feels a little light but precise. Car feels lighter than it is...Fast, quick to turn-in, balanced in corners, amazing brakes. Dunlops supplied are a dissapointment. One blew for no known reason and a second develop blister. Remaining 2 have scalloped badly in under 10k miles. Alignment checked OK.

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  What a great car - 2002 Audi A6
  By Bradleymon - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Who would have thought 15 years ago that Audi would emerge as such an incredible auto maker. Everything from the elegant and understated design to the incredibly refined and impressive interior give this car an industry- leading beauty. Add the performance of the biturbo engine and sport suspension (along with the after-market addition of 18" wheels) and you have a stealthy performer with comfort for business. A fantastic car.

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  Float like a butterfly... - 2002 Audi TT
  By Mohammed Audi - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Although the trunk might be small, and the drink-holders hard to reach, this car is pure fun to drive. The sound of the 225s dual exhaust elicits chills, and the cars yummy lines summon one more look over the shoulder of even the most calloused driver.

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  WHAT FUN - 2002 Audi TT
  By siliconman - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my TT Quattro 3 days ago. What fun! I love it.The only 2 problems I see with it is no center armrest and 1st gear rev limiter stops you at red line. I love the burst of acceleration at 3000 rpm.

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  2002 - Audi S6 Avant - 2003 Audi S6
  By Tom Soriano - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has done all that I have asked it to do and the list is long. I use the car for quick, quiet, and effortless business travel over long distances (800 miles per day)with and without cargo. Living across the road from Killington, the S6 Avant proved its worth when outfitted with Nokian snow tires. It is unstoppable in snow, ice, rain, and mud (all at once)! As for performance, on the stock tires at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut during a BMWCCA event I was able to put up a 1:06 flat lap while carrying a student in the passenger seat. Overall, this is the best wagon to do everything qucikly and quietly in high style.

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  A Car For All Seasons - 1994 Audi S4
  By LongTermDriver - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car since 1994 and still have trouble with the idea of parting with it someday. Extraordinary everyday performance, great handling and braking, quattro security over all surfaces and conditions have made it a favorite of myself, my wife and my friends (whenever they get a chance to drive it!). Not the least of its features is how no one knows what this car is, so that you can quitely go unknown and unnoticed about your business.