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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  Wow! What a Car! - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Daris Howard - December 9 - 12:36 am

  Sweet car to drive. The power is awesome, and it handles like a sports car. There hasnt been a day that someone hasnt came up to me and told me how sweet that car looks.

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  Best ever - 2009 Audi A4
  By tom - December 8 - 9:56 pm

  Purchased my first Audi vehicle two weeks ago and found a terrific car. I have owned Porsches, Mercedes, VW Passat, VW GTI and all that German design and tecnogolgy finally led me to this beautifully appointed sport sedan. Great looking exterior plus a finely finished interior. Everything about the drivers cockpit is wonderfully situated, easy to reach knobs and dials. Beautifully lit at night. Bang & Olufsen stereo blows all other audio systems away. A great option included in the prestige package along with keyless entry, push button start, stop. Side assist, rear alert. Automatic rain sensor and headlights. I picked the color meteor gray which kinda looks either dark blue or black

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  A4 Avant - Amazing car! - 2001 Audi A4
  By Jbrockettm - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Though a wagon, never feels like one. Handles like a dream. Puts a smile on the face of anyone who gets behind the wheel. Solid, jaunty, nervy car, handles on the curves like no other car on the road. You feel safe driving this thing and you are. Plus, if youre naughty and crank it up past 100, youll see what its all about: shakeless, silent splendor!

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  it good but... - 2004 Audi TT
  By crazy2004 - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Pickup is good but a sports car witout stick shift is nothing....those shifter peddles are useless

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  Keep my fingers crossed - 1996 Audi A4
  By Sharonay - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive been only owning this vehicle since Sep 2003. 2 months after I bought it, the thermostat broke down and it made the coolant temp boiling. Luckily I got it fixed at a minimal cost at $147Cdn at a friends garage. I hope it keep away from problems.

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  fantastic TT coupe - 2000 Audi TT
  By tqg4ply - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this car used at 47,000 miles and 2 years old. It has always started and run flawlessly without any maintenance problems whatsoever. Now at 50,000 miles it still drives and looks new. Although only 180 horsepower, it has sufficient power, so I wouldnt bother chipping it - even though the chip would produce 225 HP at a very low price ! The only problem, if you can call it that, is I had to put on snow tires for NE snow. The standard tires are 17" high speed rated, so they are no good for snow. I highly recommend this entertaining coupe to anyone.

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  Audi S6 will spoil you for ever. Sorry! - 2003 Audi S6
  By expresso - December 6 - 2:00 am

  bought the beautiful wagon for my wifes birthday after 6 volvos.J ust bought a 2nd S6 because its comfortable, classy, very fast, fun like Nascar, and now i can drive my own. just plane sweet meat a treat for the feet and you wont get beat in the real racing seat. "Best car I have ever had" says the little woman. Very Reliable. Absolutely blow your kids hair and minds when you press the peddle on the way to school... but the cops think youre a little, albeit, cute wagon! Ha! Yeah, right! 340hp mama at 07:30 am dont need no starbucks to get a buzz.

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  2003 Audi TT roadster - 2003 Audi TT
  By mhagy - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I selected this vehicle because of its unique design and available performance upgrade options. In my opinion, audi is one of the most innovative automakers and I respect their innovation in producing vehicles such as the TT and the Lemans concept.

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  Fantastic wagon - 2001 Audi A4
  By T-bone - December 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It is practical yet is a total blast to drive. I love whipping around the interstate ramps in this car - it really hunkers down in the twisties with very little body roll noticeable. My wife loves it too. I have a hard time getting her to let me drive it. The optional Bose sound system rocks. It did very well in the snow/ice the past two winters with all-season tires. It is bolted together very tightly - no rattles or squeaks after 2+ years of driving over the terrible St. Louis city roads. Very reliable.

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  As expected - 2002 Audi A4
  By Nuella - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I work for an VW/Audi dealer so the maintenance "issues" are taken care of immediately, however I did not appreciate the coil going at 3000 miles. I was told the "vender" was having trouble with the new design. I see many more Audis come in on flatbeds than VWs. One thing I can definitely say is its the best car ever in snow which it why I bought the car and also for safety. I have seen many a customer who has literally walked away from accidents that in any other cars would not have. Quattro is a very good system and please do not let anyone tell you that the BMW is the same, it is not ask any mechanic theyll tell you the difference.