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:

• 

  2001 Audi TT - Great Car - 2001 Audi TT
  By RTK TT - December 24 - 2:19 am

  I have received tons of compliments on my 2001 Audi TT 225 quattro since I first purchased it. This car is four years old now and I still get looks in it. It delivers great performance with its 225HP twin intercooled turbo, 5V per cyl engine. Witrh the all wheel drive, it has it all.

• 

  Best Christmas Present I have Ever Had - 2004 Audi S4
  By Duggers - December 23 - 10:56 pm

  I have not stopped smiling for 5 days since I purchased my 2005 S4. This car has everything I have ever dreamed of in terms of style , gadgets , comfort & power. Traded my BMW and would not go back for any amount of money. If you are in the market for a performance car you would be a fool if you didnt try the S4. Gas Mileage I can see is going to be low but with the power pack returning 340 bhp who cares. Drive it youll love it

• 

  Owned it for seven years and counting - 1998 Audi A4
  By Franz Meuggers - December 22 - 11:28 am

  We bought our 1998 Audi A4 2.8 new and have really enjoyed it. Despite the four doors and rear seats, the car is really made for two adults. Our reliability has been very good, though the car is maintenance intensive with brakes and suspension parts. The multi-link suspension works great on the road, but at about 60,000 the arms start to rattle and require replacement. The car has had its share of electrical glitches, but nearly all of these appeared and were corrected while still under Audis excellent warranty program. The quattro makes the car one of the best choice for Maine. Will trade in the next year or so for another A4 or maybe trade up to an A6.

• 

  Awesome Car that needs very little - 2004 Audi TT
  By MTJ1117 - December 21 - 11:41 pm

  I have had my 3.2 TT DSG for about 6 months now. It is an excellent vehicle both in design and function. A thrill to drive everyday. Great handling characteristics with the quattro system. The DSG and the 3.2 coupled together works smoothly in conjunction with each other matching speed to the revs of the engine for no jerking motions as in a normal stick shift. Nothing like feeling the car might be out of position in the corner and knowing you need to give it more gas and not braking to pull thru it.

• 

  A smooth ride for the 2005 Audi A8L - 2005 Audi A8
  By Tom Lotz - December 21 - 9:54 pm

  My 2005 Audi A8L drives like a dream. It is a substantial upgrade from my old Lexus in terms of its driving characteristics. The MMI was easy to use. I have nothing but good things to say about the car.

• 

  Ultra-Sport Avant Ultra-Fun! - 2004 Audi A4
  By CVG - December 21 - 2:16 pm

  Just looking at the car makes me grin ear to ear. Great lines and inside it just continues, leather, feel-good dash, excellent sound system. Fast enough and brakes that actually do there job. Drove from Chicago to New Jersey with the wife and our two dogs. Fold-down rear seats with built-in dog screen, the tops! I have become an Audi enthusiast! The dealership was top notch along with the salesman. The service incredible.

• 

  Sad "Audi Experience! - 2002 Audi A4
  By sad audi experience - December 20 - 12:19 pm

  Unfortunately, our experience has not been a happy one. Audi is presently installing our third engine in our 2002 A4 after only 50,000 miles! Our car has spent nearly 3 months in the shop in the past 36 months. Weve bought a new Maxima and plan to sell our Audi as soon as possible.

• 

  All about the Design - 1997 Audi A6
  By Daniel V. Payer - December 20 - 6:46 am

  The two main reasons I picked my 97 Audi A6 were its AWD and the exterior design. I live in Idaho and like to ski. This car goes up the mountains with no problem. And looks great downtown. I didnt like the look of the 1998 models coming out. The 97 A6 is flatter, not so rounded like every other car on the market. More like a race car. The exterior design was what really excited me about the car. Oh, and the black color. Very cool.

• 

  All round great wagon. - 2006 Audi A4
  By vics55 - December 19 - 8:43 am

  Wanted a wagon that had style and performance. The update added a brand new engine (soon to be found on the new Jetta) and the car comes with a great set of luxury features. Added Premium and Cold Weather Packages, and 17 inch wheels.

• 

  S4 Crazy - 2005 Audi S4
  By ElSRS - December 18 - 6:32 pm

  We were so excited when we got our new S4, we almost jumped for joy! Its a beautiful, luxurious performance cabriolet, and its cheaper than an M3 convertible and waaaaaaaay cheaper than a CLK55 AMG cabriolet. And, it has the bullet-proof quattro!