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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  TT4ME - 2003 Audi TT
  By NicholasB - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Although Ive only owned the TT for a little over a month, I am thoroughly pleased with every aspect of the car. The TT has plenty of power, excellent build quality, and, for a sports car, a comfortable ride. The four year old design still looks fresh and modern. It is a blast to drive!

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  Smooth German Machine - 1997 Audi A6
  By Jorgen - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This car performs amazing well in all types of weather. I can see why people love Audis so much. Just when you think that youre going to lose it in a snow or rain storm, the quattro system comes to the rescue. I will never go back to a rear or front wheel drive car again. Power is decent for a car of this size (but if you want a real rocket, look for the S6 version of this car [1995 model year]). The interior is first class and the body is vault solid.

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  Sweet ride - 1996 Audi A4
  By CanaDN - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car to move to Colorado and she is great! Even without Quattro she works great in the snow. Faster then the quattros i tried to. Lighter and more power at the wheels. Very Classy. The engineering is outstanding. The little things like auto down for all four windows. Easy open hood latch. All windows close with the turn of the key.

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  audi tt - 2000 Audi TT
  By tigra - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Bauhaus on wheels. Great syling, nice performance, lots of attention. Fun to drive and look at.

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  What a car! - 2002 Audi A6
  By Shauvin - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Wow! I was looking for something sporty and comfortable that could handle the miserable inland NW snow and ice. This babys the ticket! Unbelievable power and great braking. Extremely efficient cliamte control and great heated seats. Handles like a charm no matter how bad the roads are. Audi has come a long way from the old garage crashers and this car is the proof (I still hear the jokes though.) Acceleration is a little herky jerky (but once the turbos kick in, hang on!) The brakes are a little grabby too, but you get used to it.

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  (Red) Hot To Trot - 2006 Audi A3
  By Richard Cooper - August 2 - 4:53 am

  Just traded in my very yellow Mazdaspeed Protege for a base A-3. After a week I am pretty impressed with the cars performance and refinement. The car feels much quicker than the Mazda and vastly improved driveability. It is a little more like a wagon than a hot hatchback. I would probably wait for the VW GTI if I were more patient. Would have preferred the sport package +Bose radio but I couldnt seem to find one equipped that way without buying the Skyroof. The base radio and interior are OK but not as sporty unique as the Mazdaspeed Protege. The dealer was fairly uninformed about MP3, Satellite Radio and this new model in general. Still for $25K, a great buy!

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  s4best of the best - 2000 Audi S4
  By dusan - August 2 - 2:00 am

  like street racer and also audis big lover I can only say BEST OF THE BEST also I can say audi is my life.

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  almost bought the 530i - 2003 Audi A6
  By RoverChris - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I came "this close" to buying the 530i, but the lease number was too high...so I went and drove the audi just to make me feel better about paying more for the 530....but once behind the wheel, I fell in love with the car (a quatro 2.7T). It has more and better features, is more comfortable, is definitely faster and more responsive, and is priced LOWER. My lease price was nearly $100 less/month in the audi than in the 530. I also like that the body style is new rather than changing. It probably doesnt have the status of the BMW, but its close. Go drive one, youll love it.

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  great car - 2003 Audi A6
  By veilside350 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  My father just bought a 2003 Audi a6 2.7 biturbo. the car is supurb to almos any other vehicle in its class and price range. We got the premium version with On star, it has been very helpfuul in times because there are time were your cellphone doesnt have service and On star comes in handy. Also if there is an emergency just click the utton and help is on it way.

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  excellent driving - 2003 Audi A8
  By cape cod - August 1 - 2:00 am

  The A8L(2003) is one of the finest cars on the road today bar none.Performance is well balanced for a car of 2.2tons. the ride Quality is excellent its fit and finish are also excellent I longer I own it the more I enjoy it. Cape Cod