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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  Avant 2.8 - thumbs up! - 1998 Audi A4
  By Wagonsrule - March 3 - 2:00 am

  great car, versatile and reliable. had to replace all 10 suspension arms in front end which is a very well known problem on A4s. other than that it has been a great car.Quattro goes through any weather without blinking.

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  A V8 is the difference - 2004 Audi S4
  By z8dream - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing. I looked at the Z06 and the M3 SMG2. The power is there on all 3 of them, but the build quality is really only there on the S4. The V8 makes all the difference in this car. It sounds incredible. The handling is there, and not quite as rough as the M3 or Vette. I LOVE IT! :o)

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  awd - 2004 Audi TT
  By pat tschohl - March 3 - 2:00 am

  My audi is outstanding. I drove through a snowstorm going to northern Michigan.On steep hills and deep snow it is awesome.

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  #16 They just keep getting better!!! - 2004 Audi A6
  By footloose - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven Audis since 1982 starting with a 4000 series. I turned in a 2001 A-6 2.7Q. This 04 A-6 3.0Q is a tad slower but the ride,quality and overall value has gotten even better. You get a lot more for the money than you could with a BMW,BENZ or Jag. Winter driving here in New England was a piece of cake with Quattro. Try one youll never regret it.

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  Q car - 2004 Audi S4
  By BMW??? - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Great "Wolf in sheeps clothing " car. Does not get much notice (except in the know car enthusiasts). Great V-8 6speed combo

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  Best Luxury Car on the Market oday - 2004 Audi A8
  By charlie1 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  From the moment you get behind the wheel of this Euro Luxury Sedan you never want to put yourself in another Japanese knockoff. Even th Q45 which has been trying to copy Audi for ears cant match this all Aluminum ( I mean really "all aluminum" not the fake Jaquar aluminum )for its rideability, handling and overall owner experience. Wow...

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  My life with an A4 - 1998 Audi A4
  By MikeSanto - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for over four years now and have loved every minute of it. It is tons of fun to drive, gets great gas mileage and is quite comfortable. The egineering details are fantastic. Four and a half years later I dont think there are many cars with a nicer interior design, and I still get compliments on how good the car looks. Reliability has been very good (though likely not on par with Japanese makes). Service and parts can be expensive, but I dont think the prices are out of line for a car in this category. Overall, I would recommend an A4 to anyone who loves to drive, and appreciates well thought-out automotive engineering.

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  Ill Miss Her - 2001 Audi A4
  By mulli1277 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love the car overall. The transmission went out at 4000 miles. Slow off the line.

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  Looks Nice...Falls apart - 1999 Audi A6
  By AudiMakesMeSad - February 28 - 2:00 am

  What a shame...I loved this car for the first two months...Thats when the problems started. I had it at the dealership 5 times in 10 months. Anyway, not reliable and Audi was overall indifferent to the poor quality. BEWARE

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  Great car - 2000 Audi A6
  By rfparedes - February 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is great. I am happy with it and it is great with kids.