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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  L reg 1993 quattro 2.8 100E - 1993 Audi 100
  By BIGdave - July 21 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car second hand a few months ago and have found it one of the most luxurious, omfortable and eye- catching cars yet. Considering the car is 9 years old, no problems have occurred and it feels as a luxury car should. I hope it carries on running well in to the furture.

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  This Car Saved My Life - 1998 Audi A6
  By CarChick - July 20 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Not only does it look beautiful, but it is extremly safe. I walked away from a horrible accident w/ only a broken hand. I also got many compelements on the unique look of the car from total strangers. It was very fun to drive, but it did get poor gas mileage (19- 24mpg). The only complaint i have about the body is that the front end sits very low and can easily be damaged by concrete parking barriers. Granted I only had my A-6 for 4mos and 4,000 miles, but i would recommend the car.

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  ULTIMATE SPORTS SEDAN!!! - 2000 Audi S4
  By Lionheart13 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I happened to be in the position to "test drive" this car. I havent driven too many cars in my life, but this rates as the #1 experince ever. Not only does this car come stock w/ more than ample power coupled w/ the agility of the quattro drive system but this car has tons of aftermarket tuning potential. Twin turbo induction that is only steps away from running 90% of the nations cars off of the road. This car here is the true definition of Phenom. Move over BMW this IS the Ultimate Driving Machine.

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  Superb vehicle - 2000 Audi A6
  By Happy Days - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Nothing beats german auto engineering - A6 is very well though through, design is outstanding and performance is surprising. 4 wheel drive does make a difference. I am happy overall.

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  Why buy Mercedes? - 2002 Audi A6
  By johnv - July 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is great!! Leased this car . Black on black sport, premium, luxury, convience pkgs. For 46,800 you get the same space, performance, build quality,trim etc., as the mercedes E430 4matic for 15,000 less! Acceleration is strong with minimal turbo lag. Exterior design is aging, but very gracefully. The best bang for your buck midsize luxury car in my opinion. I am very pleased with this car. The salesman was also first rate, straightforward and no B.S. Very customer orientated.

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  A best car by AUDI - 2002 Audi TT
  By AZ - July 16 - 2:00 am

  A great car to drive in any wheather

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  Better value than SLK - 2002 Audi TT
  By wingsfan_nc - July 16 - 2:00 am

  About a year and a half ago I wanted to buy a convertible. I went down to check out the 3-series convertible, and the salesman wouldnt even take me seriously because I was 26. Looked at an SLK, and similarly equipped was around $47000. Got mine for just under 40k, and I tell ya, it gets more looks then either of those cars. More looks than a Boxter even. Sure, the Boxter is a better street performer.. But everybody has a Z3 and a Boxter. It has more headroom than the SLK too. Its everything a stylish roadster sould be. I love it. Audi has found a life-time customer.

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  audi a4 - 2000 Audi A4
  By steveharry - July 15 - 2:00 am

  great car fun to drive looks like a sports car. you feel safe car holds road very well

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  This car is a trap! - 2002 Audi A6
  By Clin - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2.8 avant in 1999. In the first 36 months, it worked fine. But only a week after the warrenty expired, the water pump broken, and cost me $1000 to fix. I had heard this kind of case before I bought the car, but I didnt pay much attention. Be careful, this car could cost you much more than you expected.

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  Best Value in Market - 2002 Audi A6
  By trajan - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought a loaded 3.0 CVT after shopping against the BMW 530i. With the same identical options, the Audi was $12,000 cheaper out the door while having more interior and cargo room than the BMW. Quality and reliability has been first rate. The CVT is a breakthrough technology for this size of car. The interior is the best in the industry. The A6 is simply the best value buy in the luxury car segment.