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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  No lights! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Debbie - March 22 - 5:07 am

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  This is a GREAT car, er...wagon! - 1997 Audi A6
  By KSpeece - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Even if it is a wagon, it is a kick-a** wagon. We have become firm belivers in ABS after almost having a head on collision with a moose near Yellowstone. The comfort level is outstanding, and the quattro AWD system has been perfect for our Colorado lifestyle.

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  A fun car to drive... - 2005 Audi A4
  By Paul V - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for the past month and I love every drive I take. The CVT transmission is so smooth its a little disconcerting at first. The sport mode is a much peppier ride and the 6 speed tiptronic is smooth and powerful. Excellent trunk space with neat extra features such as cargo-net hold-downs. The Premium Package really rounds out the comfort with leather seats and power sunroof. The stock sound system is plenty powerful and sounds great, with another nice feature; when you turn on the system it can default to a preset volume, so youll never be blasted out of your seat from playing loud music on the way home from the night before...

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  A great looking Wagon - 1999 Audi A6
  By Louisa - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I loved the car but found that it lacked in the initial pick-up but once it got going, it WENT. The newer models have more pick-up. The hardware is a bit flimsy but Audi has been very good about replacing items.eg:rear drink holder face plates and the latch on the trunk emergency pack (this has broken several times just by the routine daily opening and closing of the trunk.)

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  30 Something Family Man - 2002 Audi A6
  By TCA6 - March 21 - 2:00 am

  After looking at all the competition in this market I chose this car because of its Style, Performance, Safety and Utility. Style- Love the look outside and the interior. Performance- 250 HP Auto with Tip. Very intertaining Safety-All the right airbags, Traction control, and AWD. Utility- 4dr, 4 adult fit well and a large trunk. I love driving this car. It is not too big or too small. I can take 3 other adults in the car and know that they will all be very comfortable. The performace of the twin turbo is good. I have never "needed" more that it delivers. However I would not turn down more power.

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  TT is King - 2002 Audi TT
  By derek - March 21 - 2:00 am

  its nice

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  Second A6 in Three Years - 2002 Audi A6
  By slntmn - March 20 - 2:00 am

  The A6 is an understated, fun car to drive. I like the body styling because it is clean and not ostentatious, like a BMW or Mercedes. The interior is well appointed and meets my needs. The drive is smoothe and the handling is very good. I have had very good results from my 1999 A6 (Same Body Style). That car had 75,000 miles on it. The ride has always been smoothe. Minor discrepancies were electrical problems with the power windows and an earlier fuel gauge problem. However, the dealership was great and took care of the problem immediately. The 2002 model is similar, but has a larger engine. The features I like are the 6 CD changer that is located in the dash.

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  TT= FUN FUN - 2002 Audi TT
  By bldiver - March 20 - 2:00 am

  After test driving several coupes the TT is not only lots of fun in the highway and country roads but its an eye catcher for city driving. after 8 months no complaints.

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  great car....if only - 2002 Audi A6
  By car nerd - March 19 - 2:00 am

  In its first 20,000 miles the car has been flawless. No rattles, squeaks or glitches. The 200 hp V6 is peppier than expected but I wish they would make the wagon with a manual transmission, and ideally the 250 hp bi-turbo (but without the all-road lift kit) . With 4 blizzaks the car is unstoppable in snow/ice.

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  Living in Europe - 2002 Audi TT
  By 2wild4u - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle, have used it in the racetrack and has proven to be a purebread roadster. Excellent roadhandling but a a bit harder suspension is requiered over 120 MPH, Pretty good top too at that speed !! Hey that´s the advantage of living in Europe !!! 100 MPH + all the time!!