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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  s4 rocks - 2000 Audi S4
  By higginv - January 2 - 2:00 am

  This car does everything great. If you have the chance to own one go for it.Fit and finish is the best. Quattro is worth its weight in gold. All wheel drive rules. Turbos are still spinning fine !!! 30,000 trouble free miles.

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  happy so far! - 2000 Audi A6
  By jiw - January 2 - 2:00 am

  a bit leary of purchasing such a top- end $vehicle$ but we took the plunge anyway and bought a 2000 A6 with only 7,700 miles - coming off a lease. weve had our eye on this car for a while. a good friend owns one and loves it. we hope it doesnt soak us on costly repairs down the road! audi extended warranty looks excellent.

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  too many headaches - 2000 Audi A6
  By emcg - January 2 - 2:00 am

  I have finally had enough and am dumping the car...seems like every 6 months some sort of recall ABS light-4 times and counting,passenger window wouldnt operate, motor on drivers power seat went etc...As my warranty is almost up no way I am risking shelling out all sorts of $$$ for this car ... it was the Quattro that attracted me to this car living in the NE but reliability that will drive me away. As well I went to NY Car show last year and looked over 5 series BMW ...Audi may be second but it is a DISTANT second at that

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  My Little Rocket - 2003 Audi TT
  By Iglo99 - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Im 53 and wanted something fun to drive. Purchased the new 6 speed automatic(tiptronic) and The only thing I regret is that my wife fell in love with it to.

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  2 yr tt owner - 2001 Audi TT
  By llldks - January 1 - 2:00 am

  A few more small electrical problems than expected, ie, replace driver window twice and horn relay once. However always dependable driver. Onboard computer overly sensative but once you realize this and thqat mostly it will reset itself, becomes less annoying. Overall, a fun car to drive and the design is as momumental as an Jag XK120. I disagree with some of the editor ratings- excellent storage for this type of car. Slightly regret not having gotten the 225hp.

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  Better than BMW - 2003 Audi A4
  By 1/4 scale - December 30 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the most beautifully designed stationwagon on the market. I looked at Saab (too expensive), Volvo (no performance features), BMW (the 3-series is to small and the 5-series is over-priced), and the Ford Focus (well ...). The A4 Avant is a good value for $30,000, it will serve our family well and at the same time be fun and exciting to drive in the years ahead

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  Luxury Rag Top - 2004 Audi A4
  By audi-dudi - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I am thrilled with my new Audi. I have had convertibles before, but nothing like this! It is awsome. Would love to have the bigger engine, but the 1.8 tubo is hot with the tiptronic transmission. The Moro Blue Pearl with the dark blue top is gorgeous. This car is a great cruiser for my Smoky Mountains.

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  my Audi - 2004 Audi A4
  By T-A-G - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car. Needs a little more power but you can chip the Turbo model for about $600-700. Everything about it besides the power is great. A jewel of a car. Its one of the best kept secrets in the auto world. Dont let it out!

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  95 Audi A6 Quattro - 1995 Audi A6
  By mrshah - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I paid only $7500 for this fantastic car with only 60K miles. So far so good. I got rid of a Maxima GLE to get this A6 and so far my wife and I are both much happier.

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  Perfect Means Of Travel - 1999 Audi A6
  By Lliam - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for a month now and it still impresses me with the performance and touches that make driving it such a pleasure. The prior owner maintained it very well and it doesnt look or feel like a four year old machine. Im looking forward to a good dump of snow to really put it through its paces. It would have been perfect if it had a standard transmission, but on balance, the overall package more than makes up for it.