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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  Performance w High Maintenance Cost - 1995 Audi S6
  By onefastdriver - June 16 - 2:00 am

  The S6 is truly an animal in the snow. It handles up to 12 " of snow with ease and outperformed my 4 runner. Performance is exceptional, but maintenance is costly, and any work done at the dealership is down right cost prohibitive. Electrical problems can be difficult to track down.

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  Audi S4: Boxster with 4 Doors - 2000 Audi S4
  By trulegnd - June 16 - 2:00 am

  --incredibly fast, nimble, comfortable, yet actually packs a back seat. --bought a used 2000 model for about 30k, about a year ago. The S4 is overall, the most satisfying and balanced car on the (used) market. It is very close to a Boxster with 4 doors. more stable than a 911, seats 4, and very snow capable, unlike the M3.

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  Cant ask for more - 1999 Audi A6
  By indidrvr - June 12 - 2:00 am

  My previous car was a BMW 325i (E36). I bought the A6 in 99 after we have our second child to have more room. Comparing to the BMW, the A6, I has more room, comfort, luxury less sportiness. This is my third year owning the car. Ive only experienced one problem. The steering got stiff. That was fixed under warranty. The Quattro is tremendous. I live in the hilly area of Portland, Oregon, where they dont salt or sand the roads when it snows. The A6 have no problem making it through the hills, even with stock tires. My 3 year lease is up next month. I will buy the A6 because I like it so much.

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  Audi A8L Review - 2002 Audi A8
  By MAISIEBINGO - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Car is fun to drive and handles the road very well. There have been problems w/ the navigational system as well as a warning light that never would go off even after being fixed once. The audio/radio system is not up to standard w/ Lexus or BMW. For a luxury car it should be better. Lastly , the clock is in front of the driver and cannot be seen be any other rider.

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  Terrific first few months - 2002 Audi A6
  By Groucho - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car in 2/02, easy to finace thru Audi, absolutely no reason to bring in afterward. A terrific first experience for my first Audi. (Im a defrocked BMW owner.)

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  audi a6 - 2002 Audi A6
  By kurt - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I looked for months before deciding in the audi a6. It was an easy choice to make after driving the bmw and mercedes. I spoke to a mechanic or two and the general consenus was that audi and subaru are the only 2 companies to get awd right. After driving the a6 you cant help but be impressed w/ quattro and the other features are top shelf as well.

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  pretty good car - 2002 Audi TT
  By Matt - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Well when I saw it I knew that I had to have it! It looks great and drives great. After owning a Porche I thought that there was no other car for me. But the Audi TT proved me worng. It is an awsome ride and is soo much fun to drive! I suggest that if you can afford it you get it!

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  Problem A6 - 1998 Audi A6
  By Charles Beall - June 7 - 2:00 am

  Nice design,easy to drive, frequent problems--brakes,ws washer pump,front bumper too low and has been pulled off four times when backing from curb(bad design) Trunk lock, glove box lock do not work, Interior pieces fall off.Cup holders do not work. Overall build quality poor. TOO FREQUENT MAINTENANCE. Would not purchase again.

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  It can only get better with an RS6 - 2002 Audi S6
  By aaron@audiowharehous - June 7 - 2:00 am

  The only thing I crave more with this car is twin turbos. If the RS6 Avant were coming soon I would be twice as happy. I just traded my S4 in on this and am glad I did so. The only thing I miss is the 6 speed but I can do without.

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  AUDI 100CS - 1992 Audi 100
  By GENE - June 6 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR/REPAIRS $$$$$/RELIABLE AND GREAT ON THE HIGHWAY!