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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  classic - 2002 Audi TT
  By autobahnfarher - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Most reviews about sports cars in the states are written by americans for american cars, american muscle cars are not the same as european sports cars. Dont compare european cars with american cars, they dont mean the same thing, its not always about 0 to 60, but how you feel when you arrive or how you feel when driving. This car has lines and character that should make it a desirable collector car later in life. Today its a great car and fun to drive. It looks good, drives well and certainly is a great car to drive.

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  What a ride!!!!!! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Trigger - July 20 - 2:00 am

  The car is outstanding, the 2.7T engine just launges the car. Along with the ability to travel MACH speed the car provides oustanding comfort and superb road handling with it quattro all wheel drive. Wonderful car, I enjoy it more everyday, would recomend it to anyone.

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  Fun Car - 1994 Audi 90
  By Tims car - July 19 - 2:00 am

  A little underpowered but it gets you there. A sharp looking car with lots of luxury features, from leather heated power seats to power sun roof make this an overall cool car.

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  Im glad I am not alone with all the mnx! - 2000 Audi A4
  By Angela - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my A4 in Feb since I needed a safe AWD car in Colorado...It only had 28K mis. However, my Check Engine light has been on more then its been off. I have had to replace the secondary air pump ($460). I have had to replace the O2 sensor ($230) and the mass air flow sensor ($270) and I actually did the installation myself to save money. Audi was no help-in fact Rick from Ed Caroll in Fort Collins, CO tried to con me into thinking I had a oil leak that was going to cost another $600 to repair! Dont buy this car if you think you can do simple mnx on it--it is too complex!I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AUDI!

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  S6 the amazing machine - 1995 Audi S6
  By dns s6 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  as a previous audi owner, I never imagined what the S6 would be like. My first audi was an A4 with a V6 and Tiptronic transmission, which performed very well, but nothing compared to the S6. The S6 is truly one of the best performing sedans on the road, given its Quattro AWD System and its 5 cylinder turbo and 5-speed transmission, as well as its looks and interior features, i.e. leather bucket seats. It is definetly a high quality well built machine.

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  Audi TT - still the best - 2000 Audi TT
  By jaz50y - July 18 - 2:00 am

  As one of the earliest TTs, had some recalls and small failures, like window motors and cd changer, but all repairs have resulted in no follow-up problems. Still the best looking car on the road, still smells new inside, still a pleasure all the way around.

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  Awsome car - 2004 Audi A8
  By Yaudi - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car i ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Bang for the buck! - 2009 Audi A4
  By MrJimmy - July 17 - 11:50 am

  Great car for the money. Just bought this car for my wife, looked at BMW X6 - seats only 4? 3 series SUV I wasnt impressed with, I drive a 335i and we needed a winter car. Front end, very aggressive styling and they did a better job with the back end too. Enough for 5 people, dogs and luggage.

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  Fun car, but HORRIBLY unreliable - 1993 Audi 90
  By JDukakas - July 17 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but a major problem. It was fun to drive for about 1,000 miles after I bought it, then the troubles began. In a span of about 6 weeks, I experienced a blown head gasket, ruptured CV joint, and an oil leak as well as problems with the alternator, fan belt, and coolant leaks. This car is appealing at first glance, but it has a history of these problems. BUYER BEWARE.

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  Great Wagon - 1996 Audi A6
  By only1sam - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Exceptional deal at 10,000 cash and 31,000 miles on odometer. Receiving poor gas mileage, but rest of vehicle is fantastic. A tad bit slow for todays driving.