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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  Outstanding German car - 2004 Audi TT
  By spartan2oo5 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever had

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  Almost Perfection - 2003 Audi A6
  By ike1 - October 11 - 2:00 am

  This A6 is awesome. Being a big guy legroom is great. Perfomance, power, handling, all great. Totally great machine so far. No road noise, large truck, and free maintenance for 50,000. Cant go wrong. L

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  Fun sedan - 2018 Audi A4
  By Audi Specialist - October 9 - 11:41 pm

  The all new Audi A4 sure is a fun sedan to drive

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  Love this car - so far - 2000 Audi A6
  By hibby - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I purchased it two weeks ago, but am loving it so far. Style, comfort, I love just looking at it as well as driving it. Great car

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  The Best of the Best - 2004 Audi A8
  By Eiger - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Incredible vehicle. The looks, the technology, the ergonomics, the performance, its all here. Compared to equilly equipped S Class or 7 Series, its a bargain. You also stay "under the radar" as far as broadcasting ostentatious wealth.

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  Fundamental design flaw - 2000 Audi S4
  By Florida Owner - October 8 - 2:00 am

  There is a reason Audi stopped selling ars with the 2.7 liter engine. The engine is flawed BY DESIGN. The 2000-2002 S4s (B5 platform) all came with K03 turbo chargers. Given the way the 2.7 liter engine in the S4 was designed, this turbo does not have adequate cooling to prolong its life. IT WILL FAIL, even if you dont race or chip the car. When the turbos fail, it requires removal of ENTIRE ENGINE to replace them. This is close to $6000 in labor and parts. The problem can be avoided in the future by replacing the K03 with K04 turbos, but its expensive. This flawed design has contributed to the lousy resale value. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! STAY AWAY!

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  TT - 2004 Audi TT
  By Audios - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Aesthetically, the TT is still one of the most pleasing cars around, inside and out. The TT drives like a go-kart turn the wheel and the car goes with rigidity and assurance. There are cars with more power available (and more power and less weight would be a good thing for the TT), but quarter-mile times and top speed are not what TT drivers should be looking for. The TT comes into its own on windy country roads, where it is simply a blast to drive.

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  Awesome car - 1997 Audi Cabriolet
  By Barrie - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This car was given to me by my dad, who loves audis. If youre looking to buy a car with a good name and good looks, this is definently a great pick! I havent had any problems with it, though sometimes the automatic top is stubborn.

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  2000 Audit A4 1.8T Quattro - 2000 Audi A4
  By Rel_Dave - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Has been a great car. Second owner - came off a lease. Had it chipped - not really worth the $500. Had to have the mass air sensor replaced at 30,000 miles - know issue with VW and Audi.

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  A fun family hauler - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Greg - October 6 - 10:50 am

  No problem with the car, once you know how to get off the line no problem with the turbo lag. The only issue I have is these front brakes, have only 54,000 miles on it and I am on my second set and the warping happened again after 5000 miles of driving. Always use permium fuel 91 or higher and the mileage I get is about 25-30 miles, mostly urban driving.