Audi Cars & SUVs

When acquired by the Volkswagen Group in 1964, Audi was known in Germany as a small manufacturer of quirky front-wheel drive sedans, occupying the market space in Germany in a manner not unlike Sweden's Saab occupied - at the time - in Sweden. When formally introduced to the U.S., in a distribution agreement with Porsche, the marque was not fully established in the marketplace until it brought its quattro all-wheel drive system to rally courses and, later, U.S. showrooms.

After establishing a foothold in the U.S., Audi enjoyed dramatic growth via a move upscale with its almost futuristic 5000, along with the introduction of its quattro all-wheel drive system. Its market momentum, however, was waylaid by reports of unintended acceleration which, while inaccurate, were never successfully refuted by Audi management. It took the introduction, some ten years later, of the all-new A4 sedan for Audi to regain a semblance of its earlier momentum. Today, Audi's success is underwritten by an all-new A4, along with a host of upscale 4-doors (A6, A7 and A8), crossovers (Q3, Q5 and Q7), and coupes (A5, TT and R8). And nowhere in today's Audi showroom will you see an inkling to its one-time quirkiness; only high style, all-season capability and advanced technology.