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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  GREAT!! - 2004 Audi A6
  By john jacob smith - October 26 - 1:00 am

  i love the car you people have done a good job

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  Great car for snow belt - 1994 Audi 100
  By Owl - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Goes in the snow but you need proper snow tires on separat rims to save your nice summer rims and Pirellis Have regular service at the Audi dealer.

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  nice, but needs fixin - 2000 Audi TT
  By whippit - October 25 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car as a certified pre- owned which included the extended warranty. good thing. the car has required regular car and attention and many parts have been replaced similar to the experience of other reviewers-- suspension, problems with alignment, etc. i have the same problem with the wheels and i am not convinced the wheels are ever balanced and aligned. the car is fun to drive, performs well on the road and is terrific for passing and moving up in the pack at high speed. shifting is tight and the clutch seems a bit "delicate" so shifting smoothly is not always easily.

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  My 1st Audi there will be more - 2001 Audi A6
  By na - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Comming to the end of a 3 yr lease, this was my 1st Audi. When I got it I chose it over the Mercedes E400 with all wheel drive because it met or exceeded that car feature for feature, had much better acceleration, and had the design/feel of a sports car vs. a sedan. Every button is where it should be. I actually like the simplified navigation system (taking route a turn at a time) as opposed to other digital map implementations. I never expected extra convienences like fold down rear seats to expand trunk space. Pure fun to drive alone, or chaufering others.

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  wow!! - 2003 Audi A6
  By CADA - October 25 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE. EVEN LONG TRIPS ARE COMFORTABLE THE WHOLE WAY. ALL CONTROLS ARE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS AND MAKES THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE TERRIFIC!!

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  My Audi A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By beeminbobby - October 24 - 10:00 am

  So far this car has been a pleasure to drive. It is fast and lively, especially while in the manual shift mode. The multitronic transmission is sluggish in the automatic shift mode, so having the ability to shift manually saves the day. It is virtually impossible to turn the wheels on Quattro versions, which is good. The sport suspension is taut (perhaps harsh to some) and responsive. Cabin noise is muted. Controls are well placed and the red and white illumination is gorgeous. The leather is top-notch, as is the fit and finish of both the interior and exterior. Audi makes just about the finest interiors Ive ever seen. This is one fine German machine!

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  Much Fun, but with an annoying squeek. - 2003 Audi TT
  By Laguna beagle - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 03 TT new. At about 2,000 miles it developed an annoying squeek emanating from somewhere in the right rear hatch area. I took it to the dealer who did some "insulation" work which helped for a short time, but then it came back. A week ago I hauled 4 bags of seed topper from Home Depot and the squeek went away for the most part. Im wondering if the problem could be related to the right rear strut mounting. Could a bushing be the culprit? Otherwise, the TT is a blast! The Quattro is fantastic in the wet when everyone else is lifting, the TT tracks along like its on rails. I give it a 9 overall.

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  Impressive - 2004 Audi TT
  By wdel - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Non conformist style. Geared for the individualist. Driving not for "xtreme"ist pleasure but raucous to plain old fun is available.

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  What a car! - 2004 Audi A8
  By William Wortman - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This is the next generation of luxury vehicles. The performance and safety featues are finally excedded by the styling and interior design. This is the ultimate high performance luxury vehicle for those who also want the stabilty of 4-wheel drive. The computer control system is unsurpassed by what BMW and Mercedes have to offer. This is finally a fun car to drive.

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  Problems with Audi TT - 2004 Audi TT
  By mit - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Not a 2004 TT, but a 2000. Problems encountered out of warranty: AC Compressor - $1,500. Cooling Fan - $300. Belt Tensioner - $280. Insulation fell into AC Blower - $275. Broken Wire to Turbo - $115. CD Changer Stopped Working - $350. Oyxgen Sensors - $700. Electrical problems come & go. Car is serviced regularly, never abused and looks like new, but hesitate to go more than 25 miles from home.