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:

• 

  Awsome - 2003 Audi TT
  By TTTim - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Those who say the TT isnt a performer..it depends on the driver. Motor Trend even said its almost up to Boxster S on back roads. If u want something fast in a straight line get a Camero SS. Ive raced Boxsters and smoked them on back roads. Also you can do so much with the 1.8 litre engine, eventually getting it well past 300 hp. You dont need anything faster..trust me.

• 

  Difficult to ask for more.... - 2003 Audi TT
  By zegypt - July 24 - 2:00 am

  The Audi TT Coupe is a very interesting car in many ways. It is a head-turning attention getter that has one of the most amazing interiors of any car Ive ever seen, much less owned. The power, while criticized by some reviewers, is more than adequate unless you plan on racing regularly (not me). You get a great deal of car for the price, with very few problems. As for comfort, you get a nice ride that, again, is adequate for most anyone. The controls are excellently placed. Functionality is almost perfect, except for the flaws below.

• 

  NEW TO PERFORMANCE CARS - 2003 Audi TT
  By M H DIAMOND - July 24 - 2:00 am

  THIS WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A PERFORMANCE CAR, THE CLOSEST I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH PRIOR WAS THE MITSUBISHI 3000GT. THIS AUTO IS A REAL KICK TO DRIVE AN HAVE THE TURBO KICK IN TO ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED, THE AWD MADE IT GREAT ON TIGHT TURNS LIKE ENTERING OR LEAVING A THRUWAY AQT HIUGHWAY SPEEDS. THE BASEBALL GLOVE LEATHER INTERIOR CAUGHT EVERYONES ATTENTION WHEN RIDING WITH THE TOP DOWN.

• 

  Looks aint everything - 2003 Audi TT
  By ToplessDude - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Unreliable, poor gas milage, unsecure steering, cramped cockpit, lousy ride after a few hours...but WOW!!! It LOOKS GREAT!!

• 

  TTs a blast to drive - 2003 Audi TT
  By group911 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in Idaho Falls & drove it home it was an absolute kick in the pants on the wide open highways across Wyoming.

• 

  I LOVE MY TT - 2003 Audi TT
  By atomskier - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY TT. IT HANDLES GREAT, IT LOOKS AWESOME WITH THE TOP UP OR DOWN.

• 

  TT Lover - 2003 Audi TT
  By Gatortomk - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Loved the styling at first sight, but what really sold us was the comfortable, roomy interior when we took it out for a test drive! WOW! Its just what we wanted in a convertible, quick, easy, lots of FUN. Not a copycat design has all the features you could want for comfort and convinence. The maintenance plan was a big plus too. The seats hold you in while youre doing those impossible sharp turns...those tires really hold on tight and no body roll to speak of. Driving it everyday to and fron work with the sun and wind in my hair is a great attitude adjuster...LIFE IS GOOD!

• 

  nice ride - 2003 Audi TT
  By vlad5404 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  no problems with my 2003 TT 225 coup. Test drove- boxster, lost it in a curve at 70 tt held on, Z350 - nice power nice exterior, plastic iterior not functional for golf clubs- lexus 430- heavy, hated the shifter and the 911- excellent a little too pricy and again golf club issue. Live in NE and no problem with al the snow wehad great car lots of looks and comments

• 

  BamBams TT love affair - 2003 Audi TT
  By Bambam - July 24 - 2:00 am

  excellent , used to drive a Boxter and now would only get an Audi

• 

  LOVE THE TT - 2003 Audi TT
  By Brock M. - July 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the BEST sports car out there. I have done extensive research on cars and this car is by far the best for the money. I LOVE it!