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:

• 

  exciting solidness - 2002 Audi S6
  By dhrmd - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Astounding performance, excellent build quality. Combines the best aspects of a performance car with a feeling of luxury and comfort. This car has been completely reliable and a constant joy to drive, all in a wagon package that adds unexpected utility for a family car.

• 

  fully pleased with my S4 - 2002 Audi S4
  By ross1113 - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Added a transmission chip for my tiptronic and an engine chip both from the very trustworthy folks at Stratmosphere. Result? The car was as transformed from a stock S4 as it is from a stock 1.8 A4.

• 

  hot looks, with a real soul - 2003 Audi TT
  By jebneb - March 7 - 2:00 am

  watch out for the first and second gear shifts, it needs to be tightened up. also make sure the seats are adjusted properly to your liking before you drive. seat adjustments are manual. once you kick into third gear, it is quick as lightning and the handling is great. also watch your head when entering. otherwise, it is an awesome, eye catching performance sports coupe.

• 

  Great Car - 2000 Audi S4
  By PNF - March 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. I have owned other high performance vehicles in the past (C4 Vette) and I have found that I enoy this one the most. The combination of practicality and high performance is unbeatable. I would recommend this car to anyone who is serious about owning a high quality, thoroughly enjoyable daily driver. Audi was crazy for stopping production of this one!

• 

  Tranny woes - 2002 Audi A6
  By S. Wild - March 6 - 2:00 am

  I love the styling, the power, the handling... but I hate the transmission! Would you ever shift into 5th at 25 mph? This car does. Its either bogged down or revved up around corners - a little frightening. Love the trip-tronic, but hubby doesnt do that. Ever. Youd better have a garage, cause this baby doesnt like New England winters - it whines and groans. And the wiper blades! Summer-type only, Audi-brand only ($25), that cant take any ice. The $90 rubber floor mats let water leak onto the carpet... Gimme my old Volvo AWD! Ok, so Ill miss the handling...

• 

  Sleeper Speed Demon! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Vpr - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for about 3 weeks and I have nothing but great things to say about it. I have the black on black one with 17" BBS rims and it looks amazing. The drive itself is amazing. If it is driven lightly then it is very well mannered and handles the road beautifully and very smoothly. However, if you begin to push harder the car responds like you wouldnt believe. The steering tightens up, turbos begin to push, and it turns into a low flying jet! This car simply rockets when asked to do so! Perfect balance between luxury and sport. Plus the Quattro is awesome in bad wether.

• 

  The Best - 2001 Audi TT
  By MaryBishop - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Folks I have owned many sports cars and this is a real winner - no problems - all fun!!!!!!!!

• 

  "Silken Rocket" as dubbed by AUDI - 2002 Audi S4
  By carpon - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car based upon a comparison with the BMW 3 series. The 3 series felt cheap on the inside as compared with the S4. This car has it all for the price. The turbo responds instantly, when you punch the gas its gone. Passing other vehicles has become a full time occupation.

• 

  Best of the best - 1995 Audi 90
  By jsmarcus - March 3 - 2:00 am

  The best Audi ever built. Period.

• 

  4 years and still impressed - 1999 Audi A6
  By Audi - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car since new in 1999. The car exceeds my expertations in reliability and quality. No problems to date & I get 25MPG on the highway. I just wish it had 30 more horsepower and a sport suspension.