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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  Streamlined Beauty - 2003 Audi A6
  By LB - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I hadnt considered an Audi, or even a wagon, until this one caught my eye in the showroom. After having test driven three or four other luxury brands, I got into the Audi and was sold without having to start the engine. The design of this car is flawless: refined, plush, intelligent, serene, and practical, and not at all flashy. Its a wolf in sheeps clothing too, especially when I engage the "sport" transmission. It holds the road like nothing Ive ever driven.

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  Streamlined Beauty - 2003 Audi A6
  By lb - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I hadnt considered an Audi, or even a wagon, until this one caught my eye in the showroom. After having test driven three or four other luxury brands, I got into the Audi and was sold without having to start the engine. The design of this car is flawless: refined, plush, intelligent, serene, and practical, and not at all flashy. Its a wolf in sheeps clothing too, especially when I engage the "sport" transmission. It holds the road like nothing Ive ever driven.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 1999 Audi A6
  By Not a car expert - April 9 - 2:00 am

  My wife really wanted this car -- I had favored a purchase of a Volvo. Now, we both enjoy the vehicle and find it incredibly comfortable, no hassle to maintain, and good to look at. It is true "German engineering" at its best in a reasonably priced package.

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  Excellent car - 1999 Audi A4
  By audivwnut - April 9 - 2:00 am

  So far this car is making my heart pound. It is quick, comfortable, well built, and very attractive to the eye. Every attention to detail has been made by Audi!

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  greatness - 1998 Audi A6
  By Maio - April 7 - 2:00 am

  best car ever. Is is true german iron. Extremely reliable.

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  can they improve it? - 2002 Audi S4
  By peritel - April 7 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Audi. I got one of the last S4s. I wont give it up easily. There is not much I would change, it has the classis A4 shape and proportions. I pray for cool wet days to humiliate just about anything else on the road. Yet I can take it to a business meeting and impress anyone. As always paint is awesome and the fit and finish of the interior is great.

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  best - 2001 Audi TT
  By everso - April 7 - 2:00 am

  this is the best car in the world. bar none.

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  Audi A4 3.0 Quattro 6spd manual - 2003 Audi A4
  By ManishHemkar - April 6 - 10:00 am

  This is an awesome car. I got it with the premium, sport package and Bose sound system. The handling is excellent on turns and highway and the ride is very smooth. The interior is very classy and quiet. The engine is powerful but lacks torque at low rpm, but once it hits 3000 rpm, it delivers. Overall, I just love this car. I wait to get into it and drive it! everyday!

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  Awesome 2009 A4 - 2009 Audi A4
  By John - April 6 - 3:20 am

  Just purchased the new A4- significant improvements over previous generation. Tested Mercedes C class, BMW 3 series, Infinti G35, Lexus IS before deciding on Audi. Vehicle has premium pckg, Technology pckg, B&O stereo system. All options worth the extra cost- stereo is wonderful, MMI much easier and intuitive than BMW, steering is very crisp, engine is very good, transmission very smooth, shifting in manual mode is great! As expected, interior is best in class and extra length to car has resulted in much better back seat space than previous versions- tall people will still find back a bit cramped though. Save money + stay with base engine- turbo is great!

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  Quattro. Love it and love my car. - 2002 Audi A4
  By a4me - April 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after looking at a new 325, a used M3, and a Lexus IS300. Ive put 16,000 miles on this car and the only issues Ive had came from the coil-pack problem that seemed to plague some of the 2002s. Both times, the dealer did whatever they could to get the car fixed. Besides that, this car has been a blast to drive! It looks and drives great! The 1.8T could use a little more low- end power, but I love the great gas mileage I get (avg. 29.5/mpg). By far, the best car Ive owned. I would like a little more power, but I guess Ill have to save up and place an order for the new S4.