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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  just info - 2002 Audi TT
  By bozbag - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I havent had any problems with the vehicle at all. Plan on buying another set of wheels and tires if you plan on driving in the winter where it snows.

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  Audi A4 has a serious enginer problem - 2003 Audi A4
  By M G - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Engine coils failed one by one on my brand new A4. I heard the same thing happening on other cars. Audi must issue a recall.

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  best car yet - 2000 Audi S4
  By jarett - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Love it besr car i had

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  If I built a dream car from scratch ... - 2004 Audi S4
  By S4-fun - February 23 - 2:00 am

  ....it would be an S4. I can name 5 sports cars I would love to have. You can’t get groceries in them. Forget a baby seat. If you only drive when its sunny, get an exotic. The S4 is an exotic for every day. The genius is in the etails. The Recarro seats. Cabin storage everywhere but out of sight. A motor that sings. Just test drive it. Nothing compares. A sports car you can live with... put a baby seat in... take a spin around the racetrack. (not in that order) I just got one for my wife to replace a 94 Audi 90 with 199,730 miles (still running strong). I am jealous. If I needed car I would buy another S4.

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  BMwho? - 1999 Audi A8
  By mtalinm - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Used to be a BMW nut, but now those double- kidney-grille vehicles just give me the creeps. The A8 has erased any former affection for the Bavarian creature. Audi is where its at. Faster and more comfortable than 740i, but much more subtle.

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  audi a6 8cyl. - 2000 Audi A6
  By neeniebeani - February 22 - 2:00 am

  this car can blow the doors off of my last car (BMW 528I) it looks great and handles even better!

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  Luxury but Affordable - 2000 Audi A6
  By David McConnell - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I have found my 200 A-6 2.8 to be more luxurious than my previous BMW 5- series, but not as sporty.

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  Audi A8L is equal or better than others - 2004 Audi A8
  By JEROME JENKINS - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I was considering an S500 Mercedes and felt after one test drive that I could get everything I wanted in that car and more in the A8L for less money. I have owned a Lexus LS400 and a Mercedes S420 before and I feel certain that this is the finest car I have ever owned. I would advise anyone looking for a high end automobile to test drive the A8L.

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  Great Car - 2004 Audi TT
  By ogrlaw2 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  As long as a 2-person vehicle is roomy enough for you, you cant do any better than the TT. The car handles as well as you could hope for in this price range, and it looks superb. It is the most fun car I have had in a long time.

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  Sweet Little Car! - 2004 Audi TT
  By Dianne Harrill - February 22 - 2:00 am

  The TT is very fun to drive. Excellent turning radius, handles great with plenty of power on the take off. It is a little noisy on the open road, but the sound system is so wonderful who will notice. Some very nice, classy extras like the wipers on the headlights and the the power wind screen. The power top is quick and easy to operate. The greatest thing is the reliablity. The car has never been in the shop except for maintance, what a wonderful change!