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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  Too Good to be TRUE - 2005 Audi A4
  By AKF - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Car delivered last week. What an wonderful car!! Makes my old Sebring seem like a bucket of bolts. Great styling, ride, comfort, and lots of compliments and looks from everyone. Audi promised alot and delivers even more. This car truely makes you want to get up in the morning and go for a drive. If you are looking for a class car and dont want to be just another Joe in a Beamer or Benz...this is the car for you. I even got praise from my father-in-law who is the worlds biggest car critic! Lt. Silver metalic with black interior is a real head turner. V6 delivers exceptional power across all ranges. Lots of toys and comfort features. The interior quality is to die for!

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  4 wheel driftin - 1996 Audi A6
  By Brandon F1 - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Audis are great, fun in the rain, snow, anytime.

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  Great Car - 2003 Audi A6
  By Jealonso - January 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought the A6 with CVT. Audi is completely right in that you dont feel it shifting, but it still feels like an automatic, while getting better gas mileage. The interiors are just incredible. I also own a Lexus RX- 300 and there is no comparison to it. The Audi is far better in quality of materials, and I love the aviation-red controls. Finally, the Bose system is just spectacular.

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  This car is a major disappointment - 1997 Audi A4
  By Previous owner - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Always trusted German engineering and reliability, but this car is a complete disappointment. Regular maintenance and repairs would cost you an arm and a leg. Audi dealerships are not the best to deal with. My cars engine CRACKED at 80K (no hard driving) and the dealership had no idea that it cracked but suggested a whole list of other repairs. Paid them for the useless repairs and at the end they simply told me that a new engine is what I needed.

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  best all-round car - 2000 Audi S4
  By lee j - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive been through everything in this car! Love the acceleration,smooth power.Handling is great,typical oversteer for 4 wheel drive.Great long distance too.Gear shifting needs to be tighter.As strange as it sounds i got hit at 70mph on the passenger side last summer,to be honest the car saved my life.Quality build.Quality Car!

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  No Regrets Here! - 2002 Audi TT
  By K. Julien - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Handles great and it is extremely fun to drive...this car turns some heads! Great in all weather conditions. The interior warms up fast, even in single- digit temps. Drives solid like a larger vehicle with the manuverability of a sports car. I highly recommend getting the Bose Audio System for the ultimate TT experience! The sets are very comfortable and the manual transmission is smooth. A little disappointed that it doesnt have power seats, but the overall design and engineering of this car is superb-right down to the headlight spray/washer. Definately get the 225hp rather than the 180hp.

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  all good - 2001 Audi TT
  By ronp - January 18 - 2:00 am

  i bought my quatro roadster used,had 22000 on it whith the stock pilot mich on it i have driven through the nastyest winter in memory,,i cant belive this car makes it through snow storms.i dont know of any other sport cars that can do that,,,plus handeling is unreal,ive had many rx7 turbo..corvet,,and the like ,,none as good,,,fuel economy ,,awsome,,i love my tt

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  NOT MY FIRST WONT BE MY LAST - 1993 Audi 90
  By CHRIS ROE - January 17 - 2:00 am

  I started off with an Audi 5000 which was 14 years old before it was rear ended and totaled. After thinking I needed a Lincoln and Mercedes I gave in a few years later and purchased an Audi 90S. I was now back home. As with my other Audi I have experienced a good ride along with wonderful engineering. I am able to maintain and work on my Audi therefore avoiding the costly Dealership. The ride is excellent, acceleration is promt and handling is in your control.

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  Fun to drive - 1993 Audi 90
  By 93-90S - January 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought car in Oct 96 with 50k. Inherited it with what I found out to be the common head (92 & 93 6 cyl) and front end problems. Cost $1400 in 97 to repair. 4th catalytic converter on left side and 2nd on right which I have found out is also a common problem. Audi would/will not do anything about it. Gave up on cruise.

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  My Audi Rocks! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Varouj - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Test drove: BMW 540 - interior was too small, handling was good but not good enough MB E500 2003 - very nice, but $1000 gas guzzler tax! Infiniti M45 - interior too small even for a mussel car. Lexus 430 - nice but made me feel old (bad idea) Porche C2 - very nice but I am a famliy man and in need of seats in the back that can carry something more than just my tennis racket & gear. Finally, Test drove A6 4.2 Quatro. When I made the right turn going 40 with no breaks and the car did not skit and stuck to the road... That did it for me.