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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  ALMS for me - 2002 Audi TT
  By jon weden - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive loved this car from the first day I took possession of it. With the turbocharged engine, nicely matched 6-speed manual and quattro all-wheel drive this car provides all the performance of cars priced thousands higher. The TT is really in its element on open, twisting roads - but Ive found that it is fun to slalom through the ponderously large SUVs which congest our urban freeways! The details of this car are designed to delight - all the way down to the beautifully designed gas filler - makes filling the tank marginally enjoyable. In the two years Ive had the car I have had had no mechanical problems and only minor issues with the radio system.

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  BMW M who? - 2004 Audi S4
  By DR. G - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This Car has it all, Speed, Handling, Style, Comfort, and practicality. I feel it is just a fast as an M3 or a C 32, but runs circles around the other two in every other category. The M3 is too rough around curves and lack the S4s smooth grip and the C32 just stinks in the handling category. That V8 rumble is so much better than the BMW Whine and the style and practicality with the AWD are miles ahead of the other 2.

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  One fine automobile - 2004 Audi A8
  By a keller - March 5 - 2:00 am

  this is truly a fine automobile. i have owned 2 mercedes s class & 2 bmw 740il vehicles and the audi compares extremely favorably. a fun car to drive and in my opinion one of the best looking cars on the road today.

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  Best is yet to come has arrived! - 2004 Audi A8
  By boatstruck - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Clean, no frills style. The 19" inch rims are exquisite. The finish and detail are perfection. The ease of use of the "knob" makes using all of the resources this car has available a joy to use. The navigation system and mapping are easy to use and figure out. The engine and transmission are a rush to push, the 6 speed makes this car feel like something much smaller. I cant wait to drive the V12 and the S8.

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  AUDI TT - 2004 Audi TT
  By AUDITTT - March 5 - 2:00 am

  ITS AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE

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  Audi allroad - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Jill H - March 4 - 1:30 pm

  I LOVE this car.....

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  Fun car - 2000 Audi TT
  By Alonso - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Fun car to drive and have people looking at it all the time.

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  ITS GOOD - 2004 Audi S4
  By PTC - March 4 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE BEST CAR, I HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR. NOR WOULD I TRADE IT FOR ANYOTHER. YOU REALLY HAVE TO TAKE ONE FROM YOUR DEALERSHIP FOR TWENTY FOUR HOURS TO FULLY APPRECIATE IT.

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  Best Sports Sedan, Hands Down - 2004 Audi S4
  By chris129 - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for 2 months and Im loving every minute of it. The V8 really gives you linear, almost limitless power! It doesnt "seem" as fast as the old B5 S4 (chipped), but it really is faster. Turbo gives you the illusion you are accelerating quicker, which is not always the case. Audi makes fantastic cars. They are sporty, all-weather capable, and luxurious. Not noisy, rough n rugged like the E46 M3. The S4 has better fit/finish, materials quality and a more luxurious feel than the M3. Thats why I chose the S4.

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  A4 1.8t quattro (97) - 1997 Audi A4
  By CorradoTurbo - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Driven 3,500 miles so far not bad on gas on long trips averaged 28 mpg, but around city down around 20-21. Nice ride and awesome in the snow. Car was built very nice and a good price!