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 - 2002 Audi A4
  By Hankdoll - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Was skeptical about buying a first model year car. Additionally, our last 1999 A4 was plagued with mechanical issues. However, Audi service is excellent and made up for our troubles. We took the plunge and bought this car anyway (for a wagon, its gorgeous). 6000 miles thus far with no problems. Car is much better all around than previous model. Very happy with purchase.

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  audi a6 - 1998 Audi A6
  By pbenster - October 17 - 2:00 am

  great car. elegant interior. very stable - 100 mph feels like 60. excellent audio system. quattro sucks up the road like a Hoover. most comfortable power seats ever. looks and drives like new after 80k miles. good hiway mileage. hardly a scratch on the bumper after 45 mph rear end collisionin LA ($5k damage onoffending 2002 Camry font end). Tasteful and understated. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  Too Tempermental !! - 1998 Audi A6
  By phuston723 - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought used with 35 K miles. Since I bought it two weeks ago, it has spent 1 and 1/2 weeks in shop with electrical problems. I love this car- when it works. I dont have the time or patience to continue taking it in for repairs. Im very disappointed. If I can unload it, it will be back to Japanese cars for me.

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  The Best of Sports Cars - 2004 Audi TT
  By Bill LaRoche - October 17 - 2:00 am

  No need to go into detail.......The best of the pst 4 sports cars Ive owned...flawless............

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  Everyday is raceday at Le Mans - 2002 Audi TT
  By MNR - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Have had the ALMS for just over a year and a half and i never get tired of looking at it. Got the Avus silver with red leather interior and its the most beautiful interior ive ever seen in a car regardless of price. Being single, this car doesnt dissappoint. Great handling car, could use better steering feel and weight and less turbo lag. Definately need a radar detector with this one.....

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  Probably wont buy another one... - 1998 Audi A4
  By cgray88 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  For about 2 years, it was by far the BEST used car I ever owned... Then I hit 60,000 miles... Since then the car was in the shop every other week. My brakes gave out, tie rods were shot, 4 tires had to be replaced, ignition coil replaced, headlights replaced twice, speaker blew, cd player stopped working, fuel pump went out, trunk stopped opening, alternator kicked it, and the AC compressor died. Finally, I decided to give up and sell it, and literally the day before, the timing belt broke. It has now been at the dealer for 2 months, as of yesterday. All told, approx. $8800 for repairs since 60,000 miles (and I never did get the AC fixed). Bah.

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  a great performance - 2004 Audi A8
  By acebase - October 15 - 2:00 am

  as a former bmw 7 series driver i have found that the audi 8 is far superior in ease of driving. the mmi is very easy to use and the luxury interior is unsurpassed.

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  GREAT CAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2001 Audi A8
  By jackscam - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Why pay the big boys what they want, this car is right there with them. This is pure heaven. My warranty goes until 2007. what a deal.

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  THE CAR TO HAVE.. - 1998 Audi A4
  By ARMAN - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY AUDI I HAVE OWNED MY AUDI FOR 2 YEARS AND I LOVE IT AND I CANT SAY SO MUCH GOOD STUFF ABOUT IT IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR I READ A LOT OF LETTERS POSTED ON THE INERNET ABOUT PEOPLE HATEING IT ITS THE WAY YOU MAINTIN THE CAR IF YOU DONT TAKE CARE OF IT IT WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF YOU ITS LIKE YOUR TEETH IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT IT WILL TAKE CARE IF YOU.I PERSONALY DONT SEE MY SLEF DRIVING ANYTHING ELES. IF YOU WANT PERFORMANCE YOU WILL LOVE AUDI IT IS THE CAR TO HAVE TO DRIVE. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER MAKE AND MODELS OUT THERE YOU CAN CHOISE FROM BUT AUDI STANDS OUT.

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  love it cant wait - 2004 Audi TT
  By lover_87 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  i can not wait untill the 3.2 audi tt coupe comes out i just love it