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 A6
  By NB - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Lokked at Bmrs, lexus and infinity. Nothing came close in ride, handling and power. This is the big boys toy.

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  Luxary with sport - 2002 Audi S8
  By Tacomaguy - March 31 - 2:00 am

  it is pure luxary, with a little sport tossed in to make it fun.

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  A8 is Sweet - 2002 Audi A8
  By Tahoetime - March 31 - 2:00 am

  The A8 is by far the sweetest car I have owned. Its the only luxury car with all-wheel-drive (great for getting to and from Lake Tahoe in the winter snow season). It handles like a dream even with large mud and snow tires. I generally drive in automatic mode, but the Tiptronic shifting is fun when I am in a "playful" mood. Gas mileage has been very acceptable in the 20+ MPG range. Its been extremely dependable and Audi covers 100% of all regular maintenance, even replacement of wiper blades. The L version is best if you want lots of room in the rear. All in all the A8 is a great car for the money! Go with the S8 if want even more than 310 HP (but the A8 is plenty fast for me).

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  What an excellent car - 2002 Audi A4
  By KrisKris - March 30 - 10:00 am

  This is a solid, well-designed Audi with a lot of pickup for a 4 cylinder.

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  Great Performance - 2002 Audi S4
  By mswhimiscal - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I own a 2001 S4 including all features with the exception of the navigation system. This car handles great. Hugs the road, terrific pick up and is fun to drive.

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  TT at last - 2002 Audi TT
  By duckbill - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I had been planning on buying this car for some time, and now at last I have it. I am very happy with it, only one tiny thing to report. The back panel on top of the boot creaks, but this will be replaced as soon as the replacement part arrives. Apart from that the car is just as and if not better than I expected. Great design, amazing performance...

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  Best car owned - 1998 Audi A4
  By audis4nut - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Have almost 100k miles and car is as tight as the day I bought it. Not as much as 1 problem with the car. Cruises easily at 85 mph, yet handles the turns with ease. Quality of materials used is A1, and the car is a beauty to look at, still get compliments after 2 years of owning it.

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  This is a GREAT car, er...wagon! - 1997 Audi A6
  By KSpeece - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Even if it is a wagon, it is a kick-a** wagon. We have become firm belivers in ABS after almost having a head on collision with a moose near Yellowstone. The comfort level is outstanding, and the quattro AWD system has been perfect for our Colorado lifestyle.

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  A fun car to drive... - 2005 Audi A4
  By Paul V - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for the past month and I love every drive I take. The CVT transmission is so smooth its a little disconcerting at first. The sport mode is a much peppier ride and the 6 speed tiptronic is smooth and powerful. Excellent trunk space with neat extra features such as cargo-net hold-downs. The Premium Package really rounds out the comfort with leather seats and power sunroof. The stock sound system is plenty powerful and sounds great, with another nice feature; when you turn on the system it can default to a preset volume, so youll never be blasted out of your seat from playing loud music on the way home from the night before...

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  A great looking Wagon - 1999 Audi A6
  By Louisa - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I loved the car but found that it lacked in the initial pick-up but once it got going, it WENT. The newer models have more pick-up. The hardware is a bit flimsy but Audi has been very good about replacing items.eg:rear drink holder face plates and the latch on the trunk emergency pack (this has broken several times just by the routine daily opening and closing of the trunk.)