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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  Best 31K Ive ever spent. - 2003 Audi A4
  By Khaled Jaber - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Okay, for the longest time I wanted a BMW 330i car but all that changed when I test drove the Audi A4. Well, to put it simply ... its the best German car that I drove in a while. IT FUN, FAST, SAFE and LOOKS GREAT.

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  Do anything - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By onefastaudi - May 29 - 4:43 am

  This is such an amazing car, you can be flying down the highway at 120 mph in total comfort, then go offroading at 15 mph in the rocks and mud, go drive at 60 mph in the snow in total safety, and carry (inside) 10 feet long molding back from home depot. Very good canyon carver too. This is the ultimate SUV crossover. Does it all, does it well.

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  Fun Car - 1998 Audi A6
  By Jon Payson - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Very Nice Warking car

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  Lease a new Audi not a new one - 1997 Audi A4
  By cjhaar - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I was very excited to get this car at first. For the first year and a half I loved it then things went horribly wrong. Even though the car was "Audi Assured" the oil pump went out because it was not maintained properly before I got it. Thus causing the oil pump, turbo (twice), cam, and head to fail totalling $7K in repairs. Plus the dealer I took it to, Jordan Motors in Des Moines Iowa took over a month to fix it. Then I got in to a small collision and it was over $6K just to fix it. Dont buy this car or any car from them unless you can get it fixed for free. Even then dont buy anything from them.

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  Audi S8 - 2003 Audi S8
  By Larry V-man - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Audi S8 is a FUN car. Kind-of uncomfortable - but a real FUN car!

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  Amazing - 1995 Audi S6
  By Skeptik - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Simply one of the best, most underestimated cars ever built.

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  Beware of Timing Belt Nightmare!!! - 1997 Audi A4
  By badaudi - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I was so excited to purchase my Audi. Now, I cant wait to sell it ASAP. I have had very expensive repairs, extensive headaches, and extraordinary POOR customer service. I specifically asked if timing belt should be changed at 60,000 miles. I was told "NO, manual states 90,000." I was driving 70mph and my timing belt completely blew at 61,000 miles and I almost lost my life when the car stopped suddenly. Audi refuses to assist in any way (or show concern), even though the part was found to be, essentially, defective. Very expensive repair. Buyer Beware! I have been contacted about a pending class action lawsuit for this.

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  Sexy Silver Arrow - 2003 Audi A6
  By jlawrence - May 27 - 2:00 am

  This model of the A6 will be discontinued after 2004 and maybe the 2.7T engine as well. Im sure the new A6 will be great but the current one is an ageless work of beautiful automotive sculpture. For those who are not aware of the care and attention to detail Audi puts into its materials and craftmanship, you simply will not find better at any price below six figures- see for yourself. . The 2.7T engine is a jewel and provides intoxicating acceleration. I can only imagine what the RS6 with the 450hp biturbo V8 feels like.. Combine this excellent engine (Wards 10 Best Engines 2000/01) with the Quattro and Sport suspension and you have an unbeatable package

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  Best in Class - 1995 Audi S6
  By love my S6 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned...incredible handling, and you get every one of the 227hp on demand - its much more powerful than other vehicles with similar hp ratings. It looks like a family sedan on the outside, but gives the driver a special thrill. Maintainence is expensive, although Ive only had a single repair in 121000 miles....

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  Audi - My Car - 1999 Audi A6
  By Mthiran - May 26 - 2:00 am

  About 6 years ago I moved up from Volkswagen to Audi. At the time a switch purely based on the Fact the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche are owned by the same xompany : VAG Gmbh. The Difference was noticably. Audi isnt the problematic car it was in the 80s and early 90s. It has come along way, Aside from design and comfort, reliability is definately a selling point. Aside from that, Reeves Import Motor Cars in Tampa has a service department second to none.