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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  Amazing Machine - 2006 Audi A4
  By levi - February 23 - 11:36 pm

  Excellent control and styling. Manual, Premium, Sports, Cold Weather, Sunroof, Tech packages. My first Audi, but not my last. Very clean interface and a pleasure to drive. If youre looking for a 0-60 straight line car this isnt it, but if you want to take a few turns after you hit 60 and above then this is your car. Took a road trip to WV just to drive some curves and the car was simply amazing. At low speeds (sub 40) it does well, but the car is in its element above 60. Test drove w/ & w/out sports suspension. Be warned its very smooth w/out it, but youll feel more of the road w/ it. Only worth getting the sports suspension if you plan on driving it hard, Im glad I have it.

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  Why Ive Owned Seven - 2003 Audi A4
  By RICHARDHABY - February 23 - 4:44 pm

  Theres is little to criticize about the 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Sedan. The turbo kicks in and is much snappier than my A6 with a V6 engine was. As you look about the cabin you find extra after extra. Instead of thinking "Why didnt the designers do it this way" you exclaim "Im glad they thought to provide that". With over 12,000 miles the only repair that I needed to make on this car was a measley brake lamp. This took the dealer about ten minutes to fix.

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  2005 Audi TT - Love It - 2005 Audi TT
  By blondie - February 23 - 3:50 pm

  My husband bought me this car (2005 Audi TT Roadster) because Ive had my eye on it for the past 5 years....drooling with every look. I always told him if he left me a widow, I would use the insurance money to buy myself a TT roadster. He finally decided rather than wish himself dead, hed rather live to see me enjoy the car! Anyway, we got our silver bullet in November 2004 and its lived up to ALL of my expectations. I am totally in love with this car (can one really love sheet metal?? YOU BET!) Its the most fun you can have driving! I love the Tiptronic tranny .. being able to choose manual or auto is da bomb!!

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  This Car is the Best - 2005 Audi A6
  By angel - February 23 - 1:48 pm

  My 2005 Audi A6 3.2 has it all. The redesign is beautiful, luxerious, and sporty. The multi media interface is very easy to use and is one of the best features of this car. The nav system has a DVD instead of a CD. Of course the all wheel drive Quattro system is unmatchable. No other all wheel drive car compares. You just have to go drive it.

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  My 4th Audi - 2005 Audi S4
  By CT Audi Driver - February 21 - 10:40 pm

  My S4 is my fourth Audi, but my first with a big persons engine. Coming from a 2.8 V6 and 2 1.8T fours, the performance of this car is fabulous. I loved the interior on my first 3 Audis and this is a natural evolution. No need to change perfection, they just spiced it up with superb Recaro seats, and carbon fiber(optional) trim. Other than that, it is virtually identical to my 2002 A4 (which is to say, excellent). The exterior is great too, looking much more muscular than the A4, but not so much so that it stands out. This car is a true wolf in sheeps clothing. So far, its quality is consistant with my other Audis, excellent.

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  Had BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, why an Audi? - 2005 Audi A6
  By ray jacobs - February 19 - 2:28 pm

  Ive always liked the styling and size of the A6, but this year, 2005, took me to a new place. It is longer, wider, and the looks of a full-size sleek sedan. Ive driven the best, and feel when I enter this car, that Im in a luxury, incredibly well-fitted, well-thought out car. The trunk space is enormous, without sacrificing the interior area.

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  The Best - 2005 Audi TT
  By jeannie wagner - February 19 - 11:04 am

  I have owned every high end car one can drive. The BMW 3-, 5-, and 7-Series, Lexus, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and this is my favorite car. Aside from the heads turning when you pass by, this car is a blast to drive. The handling is similar to a BMW, you feel safe, the interior is what you expect from a sports car. After four years this car with 50,000 miles still looks new inside and out. If you want to feel alive this is the car to drive.

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  Audi A6 3.2 - 2005 Audi A6
  By LIY - February 19 - 9:52 am

  After debating about, driving, and obsessing on, the Acura RL, Infiniti M35x, and Lexus GS 300 AWD, I bought the Audi A6 3.2 and love it! The combination of fit, finish, features and driving fun cant be beat. Love the look and drive with the 18" wheels -the ride is firm & taut - but never unpleasant.

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  Awesome - 2005 Audi A8
  By JD - February 18 - 6:15 pm

  I have my 2005 Audi A8 for three weeks now. This is the best sedan you can buy at this moment. It will outperform BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Lexus in every category. It is gorgeous inside and out. It feels like a Bentley inside. Get the wooden steering wheel and pedal shifts. Amaretto/Sycamore is a gorgeous combination. The short base is long enough. This car has the best sound system available today. Driving this car you know and feel like you are the king!

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  heaven on dunlops - 2004 Audi A4
  By theodore - February 18 - 2:00 am

  simply the most fun to drive piece of eye candy i have ever had the pleasure of owning. makes my previous c-class seem like i was driving in my moms old ford maverick.