{{Infobox Company
| {{flagicon|USA}}Never Follow
| company_name = '''Audi AG'''
| company_logo = [[Image:Audi logo.png|200px]]
| company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ([[Xetra (trading system)|Xetra]]: [http://deutsche-boerse.com/dbag/dispatch/en/isg/gdb_navigation/home?module=InOverview_Equi&wp=DE0006757008&foldertype=_Equi&wplist=DE0006757008&active=overview&wpbpl= NSU]) |
| foundation = [[1910]], [[Zwickau]], Germany
| founder = [[August Horch]]
| location_city = {{flagicon|GER}} [[Ingolstadt]]
| location_country = [[Germany]]
| key_people = [[Rupert Stadler]], <span style="font-variant:small-caps">chairman</span>
| industry = [[Automotive industry]]
| products = Luxury [[Automobile]]s, [[Internal combustion engine|Engines]]
| locations = production locations: [[Ingolstadt]] & [[Neckarsulm]], Germany<br>[[Györ]], [[Hungary]]<br>[[Brussels]], [[Belgium]]<br>[[Curitiba]], [[Brazil]]<br>[[Changchun]], [[China]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| revenue = {{profit}} [[euro|€]] 28.432 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] (2005)
| net_income = {{profit}} [[euro|€]] 1.409 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] (2005)
| parent = [[Volkswagen Group]]
| slogan = [[Vorsprung durch Technik]]<br>Truth in Engineering (America)
| subsid = [[Lamborghini|Lamborghini S.p.A.]],<br>[[SEAT]],<br>[[Cosworth|Cosworth Technology]]
| homepage = [http://www.audi.com/ Audi corporate website]
| footnotes =
| intl = yes
}}


'''Audi [[Aktiengesellschaft|AG]]''' is a [[Germany|German]] [[automobile manufacturer]] with headquarters in [[Ingolstadt]], [[Bavaria]], and has been an almost wholly owned (99.7%) subsidiary of the [[Volkswagen Group]] since 1964. The company evolved from [[Auto Union]], [[NSU Motorenwerke AG|NSU]], [[Horch]] and [[DKW]], the former having incorporated the historic Audi company which was founded in 1910.

Audi's corporate [[tagline]] is ''[[Vorsprung durch Technik]]'', the English translation meaning ''Advantage through Technology'' or ''Head Start through Technology''. This German-language tagline is also used in other [[Europe]]an countries, including the [[United Kingdom|UK]], and in other markets, such as [[Latin America]], [[Oceania]] and parts of [[Asia]] including [[Japan]]. The American and Canadian tagline is ''Truth in Engineering''.

== History ==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Audi NSU range (1969).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Press photograph of the then newly merged Audi NSU range, 1969.]] -->

=== The origins of Audi ===
[[Image:Audi Typ E (1923).jpg|thumb|250px|Audi Type E]]

The company traces its origins back to 1899 and [[August Horch]]. The first [[Horch]] automobile was produced in 1901 in [[Zwickau]]. In 1909, Horch was forced out of the company he had founded. He then started a new company in Zwickau and continued using the Horch brand. His former partners sued him for [[trademark]] infringement and a German court determined that the Horch brand belonged to his former company. August Horch was forced to refrain from using his own [[family name]] in his new car business. Horch immediately called a meeting at the apartment of Franz Fikentscher to come up with a new name for his company. During this meeting Franz's son was quietly studying Latin in a corner of the room. Several times he looked like he was on the verge of saying something but would just swallow his words and continue working, until he finally blurted out, "Father - [[Audi alteram partem|''audiatur et altera pars'']]... wouldn't it be a good idea to call it ''audi'' instead of ''horch''?". "Horch!" in German means "Hark!" or "listen", which is "Audi" in Latin. The idea was enthusiastically accepted by everyone attending the meeting. <ref>{{cite book
| title = A History of Progress - Chronicle of the Audi AG
| publisher = Audi AG, Public Relations
| year = 1996
| pages = 30
| url = http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=gahp
| isbn = 0-8376-0384-6}}</ref> It is also popularly (but incorrectly) believed that Audi is an [[acronym]] which stands for "Auto Union [[Germany|Deutschland]] [[Ingolstadt]]".

Audi started with a 2612 [[Cubic centimetre|cc]] (2.6 liter) [[four cylinder]] model followed by a 3564&nbsp;cc (3.6 L) model, as well as 4680&nbsp;cc (4.7 L) and 5720&nbsp;cc (5.7L) models. These cars were successful even in sporting events. August Horch left the Audi company in 1920. The first [[Straight 6|six cylinder]] model, 4655&nbsp;cc (4.7 L) appeared in 1924. In 1928, the company was acquired by [[Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen|Jørgen Rasmussen]], owner of [[DKW]], who bought the same year the remains of the US [[automobile manufacturer]], [[Rickenbacker (car)|Rickenbacker]] including the manufacturing equipment for eight cylinder engines. These engines were used in ''Audi Zwickau'' and ''Audi Dresden'' models that were launched in 1929. At the same time, six cylinder and four cylinder (licensed from [[Peugeot]]) models were manufactured. Audi cars of that era were luxurious cars equipped with special bodywork.

=== The Auto Union era ===
[[Image:Speed,-August-1937-.jpg|thumb|300px|Cover of the 1937 English motor sport magazine with an Auto Union racing car on a banked track]]

In 1932 Audi merged with [[Horch]], [[DKW]] and [[Wanderer (car)|Wanderer]] to form [[Auto Union]].

Before [[World War II]], Auto Union used the four interlinked rings that make up the Audi badge today, representing these four brands. This badge was used, however, only on Auto Union racing cars in that period while the member companies used their own names and emblems. The technological development became more and more concentrated and some Audi models were propelled by Horch or Wanderer built engines. During World War II, the Horch/Auto Union produced the [[Sdkfz 222|Sd-Kfz 222]] armored car, which was used in the German army during the war. It was powered by an {{Auto hp|81|0}} Horch/Auto Union [[V8]] Engine which had a top speed of 50 miles per hour.

Another vehicle which was used in World War II to shuttle German military officials safely was known as the Kraftfahrzeug (KFZ 11) or the Horch Type 80. The military used it as a light transport vehicle.

=== The four-ring logo ===
The Audi emblem is four overlapping rings that represent the Auto Union. The Audi emblem symbolizes Audi amalgamation of Audi with DKW, Horch and Wanderer: the first ring represents Audi, the second represents DKW, third is Horch, and the fourth and last ring Wanderer.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.carlogo.info/audi-audi-logo_blog-bid-29.htm
| title = Audi Logo
| author = Car Logo
| accessdate = 2007-09-10
}}</ref>

=== Pause and a new start ===
Auto Union plants were heavily bombed and partly destroyed during [[World War II]]. After the war, Zwickau soon became part of the [[German Democratic Republic]] and the Auto Union AG got broken up and named VEB Automobilwerk Zwickau. The new Firm was launched in Ingolstadt still using the old name. Many employees of the destroyed factories in Zwickau came to Ingolstadt and restarted production of cars under the DKW label. These cars were equipped with two stroke engines. They based on a pre war construction and were also built in Zwickau in a very similar way.

[[Image:Audi 75 in Rothenburg.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Audi 75]]]]
In 1958 [[Daimler-Benz]] acquired 87% of Auto Union and in the next year 100%. In 1964 [[Volkswagen]] bought the factory in Ingolstadt and the brands of the Auto Union. The time of two stroke engines came to an end in the middle of the sixties. Customers were more attracted to the comfortable four stroke engines. In September 1965 the last DKW model, the [[DKW F102]], got a four stroke engine implanted and some changes of front and rear. Volkswagen dumped the brand DKW because of its two stroke smell, "relaunching" the Audi brand. The model was classified internally as the [[Audi F103|F103]] and sold as simply the "Audi" (the name being a model designation rather than the manufacturer, which was still officially Auto Union), but later came to be known as the Audi 72. Developments of the model were named for their horsepower ratings and sold as the Audi 60, 75, 80, and Super 90. These models sold until 1972.

In 1969, Auto Union merged with [[NSU Motorenwerke AG|NSU]], based in [[Neckarsulm]] near [[Stuttgart]]. In the 1950s NSU had been the world's largest manufacturer of [[motorcycle]]s but had moved on to produce small cars like the [[NSU Prinz]] (the TT and TTS versions are still popular as vintage race cars). NSU then focused on new rotary engines according to the ideas of [[Felix Wankel]]. In 1967, the new [[NSU Ro 80]] was a space-age car well ahead of its time in technical details such as aerodynamics, light weight, and safety, but teething problems with the rotary engines put an end to the independence of NSU. Today the Neckarsulm plant is used to produce the larger Audi models, the R8, and the '''"RS"''' model range.

The mid-sized car that NSU had been working on, the [[VW K70|K70]], was intended to slot between the rear-engined Prinz models and the futuristic [[Ro80]]. However, Volkswagen took the K70 for its own range, spelling the end of NSU as a separate brand.

=== The modern era of Audi ===
The new merged company was known as "Audi NSU Auto Union AG", and saw the emergence of Audi as a separate brand for the first time since the pre-war era. Volkswagen introduced the Audi brand to the United States for the 1970 model year.

The first new car of this regime was the [[Audi 100]] of 1968. This was soon joined by the [[Audi 80]]/Fox (which formed the basis for the 1973 [[Volkswagen Passat]]) in 1972 and the [[Audi 50]] (later rebadged as the [[Volkswagen Polo]]) in 1974. The 50 was a seminal design in many ways, because it was the first incarnation of the [[Volkswagen Golf|Golf/Polo]] concept, one that led to a hugely successful world car.
[[Image:Audi quattro.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Audi Quattro]]]]

The Audi image at this time was a conservative one, and so, a proposal from chassis engineer [[Jörg Bensinger]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsID/2050225.007/country/gcf/audi/audi-quattro-the-early-years
| title = Quattro, The early years
| accessdate = 2006-11-02
}}</ref> was accepted to develop the [[four-wheel drive]] technology in [[Volkswagen]]'s [[Iltis]] military vehicle for an Audi performance car and [[Rallying|rally]] racing car. The performance car, introduced in 1980, was named the "[[Audi Quattro]]," a turbocharged coupé which was also the first German large-scale production vehicle to feature permanent [[all-wheel drive]] through a center [[differential]] (not counting the earlier British [[Jensen FF]], produced in small numbers). Commonly referred to as the "Ur-Quattro" (the "[[Ur-]]" prefix is a German [[augmentative]] used, in this case, to mean "original" and is also applied to the first generation of Audi's S4 and S6 sport sedans, as in "UrS4" and "UrS6"), few of these vehicles were produced (all hand-built by a single team) but the model was a great success in rallying. Prominent wins proved the viability of all-wheel drive racecars, and the Audi name became associated with advances in automotive technology.

In 1985, with the Auto Union and NSU brands effectively dead, the company's official name was now shortened to simply "Audi AG".

In 1986, as the Passat-based Audi 80 was beginning to develop a kind of "grandfather's car" image, the type 89 was introduced. This completely new development sold extremely well. However, its modern and dynamic exterior belied the low performance of its base engine, and its base package was quite spartan (even the passenger-side mirror was an option.) In 1987, Audi put forward a new and very elegant [[Audi 90]], which had a much superior set of standard features. In the early nineties, sales began to slump for the Audi 80 series, and some basic construction problems started to surface.

This decline in sales was not helped in the [[United States|USA]] by a ''[[60 Minutes]]'' report which purported to show that Audi automobiles suffered from "unintended acceleration". The ''60 Minutes'' report was based on customer reports of acceleration when the brake pedal was pushed. Independent investigators concluded that this was most likely due to a close placement of the accelerator and brake pedals (unlike American cars), and the inability, when not paying attention, to distinguish between the two. (In race cars, when manually downshifting under heavy braking, the accelerator has to be used in order to match revs properly, so both pedals have to be close to each other to be operated by the right foot at once, toes on the brake, heel on the accelerator; a driving technique called [[heel-and-toe]]). This did not become an issue in Europe, possibly due to more widespread experience among European drivers with manual transmissions.

''60 Minutes'' ignored this fact and rigged a car to perform in an uncontrolled manner<!-- Citation is at the article for 60 Minutes -->. The report immediately crushed Audi sales, and Audi renamed the affected model (The 5000 became the 100/200 in 1989, as it was elsewhere). Audi had contemplated withdrawing from the American market until sales began to recover in the mid-1990s. The turning point for Audi was the sale of the new A4 in 1996, and with the release of the A4/6/8 series, which was developed together with VW and other sister brands (so called "platforms").

In the early part of this century, Audi set forth on a German racetrack to claim and maintain several World Records, such as Top Speed Endurance. This effort was in-line with the company's heritage from the 1930's racing era "[[Siver Arrows]]".

[[Image:AudiA5.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Audi A5]]]]
Currently, Audi's sales are growing strongly in Europe. 2004 marked the 11th straight increase in sales, selling 779,441 vehicles worldwide. Record figures were recorded from 21 out of about 50 major sales markets. The largest sales increases came from Eastern Europe (+19.3%), Africa (+17.2%) and the Middle East (+58.5%) {{Fact|date=February 2007}}. In March of 2005, Audi is building its first two dealerships in India following its high increase in sales in the region.

Audi has recently started offering a computerised control system for its cars called [[Multi Media Interface]] (MMI). This comes amid criticism of BMW's [[iDrive]] control, essentially a rotating control knob designed to control radio, satellite navigation, TV, heating and car controls with a screen. MMI has been widely reported to be a considerable improvement when compared to BMW's iDrive. (BMW has since made their iDrive more user friendly.)

MMI has been generally well-received, as it requires less menu-surfing with its mass of buttons around a central knob, with shortcuts to the radio or phone functions. The screen, either colour or monochrome, is mounted on the upright dashboard, and on the A6 and A8, the controls are mounted horizontally. However, an "MMI Like" system is also available on the Audi A3 and A4 models when equipped with the optional Navigation System.


== Models ==

=== Current models ===
* [[Audi A3|A3]]
* [[Audi S3|S3]]
* [[Audi A4|A4]]
* [[Audi S4|S4]]
* [[Audi RS4|RS4]]
* [[Audi A5|A5]]
* [[Audi S5|S5]]
* [[Audi A6|A6]]
* [[Audi S6|S6]]
* [[Audi RS6|RS6]]
* [[Audi A8|A8]]
* [[Audi S8|S8]]
* [[Audi TT|TT]]
* [[Audi R8 (road car)|R8]]
* [[Audi allroad quattro|A6 allroad quattro]]
* [[Audi Q7|Q7]]

=== Discontinued models ===
* [[Audi 50|50]]
* [[Audi F103|Audi and Audi 60/72/75/80/Super 90]]
* [[Audi 80|80/90/4000/Coupé/Cabriolet]]
* [[Audi 100|100/200/5000]]
* [[Audi A2|A2]]
* [[Audi Quattro|Quattro]]
* [[Audi RS2|RS2]]
* [[Audi S2|S2]]
* [[Audi UrS4/S6|UrS4/S6]]
* [[Audi V8|V8]]

=== Hybrid vehicles ===
{{Main|Audi Hybrid Vehicles}}

=== Racing models ===
* [[Audi Quattro|Sport Quattro]]
* [[Audi R8 Race Car|R8 LMP]]
* [[Audi R10|R10 LMP]] ''(current model)''
* [[Audi Sport|Sport]]

=== Prototypes and concept cars ===
* [[Audi A1|A1]]
* [[Audi A7|A7]]
* [[Audi Allroad Quattro Concept|Allroad Quattro Concept]]
* [[Audi Avantissimo|Avantissimo]]
* [[Audi Avus quattro|Avus quattro]]
* [[Audi Le Mans quattro|Le Mans quattro]]
* [[Audi Nuvolari quattro|Nuvolari quattro]]
* [[Audi Pikes Peak quattro|Pikes Peak quattro]]
* [[Audi Q3|Q3]]
* [[Audi Q5|Q5]]
* [[Audi Roadjet|Roadjet]]
* [[Audi RSQ|RSQ]] ''(from [[I, Robot (movie)|I, Robot]])''
* [[Audi Shooting Brake|Shooting Brake]]
* [[Audi R-Zero]]


== Auto racing ==
Audi has competed in numerous forms of [[auto racing]]. Audi's rich tradition in motorsport began with the [[Auto Union]] in the 1930s. In the 1990s Audi dominated the Touring and Super Touring categories of motor racing after success in circuit racing Stateside.

=== Rallying ===
[[Image:1985 Audi Quattro S1.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Audi_Quattro_S1|Audi Sport Quattro S1]]]]

In 1980 Audi released the [[Audi Quattro|Quattro]], an [[all wheel drive]] turbocharged car that went on to win [[rally racing|rallies]] and races worldwide. It is considered one of the most significant rally cars of all time because it was one of the first to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of all-wheel-drive in competition racing. Many critics doubted the viability of all-wheel-drive racers, thinking them to be too heavy and complex, yet the Quattro was to become a successful car. Leading its first rally it went off the road, however the rally world had been served notice AWD was the future. It won competition after competition for the next two years. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}

In 1984 Audi launched the short-wheelbase Sport Quattro car which dominated races in [[Monte Carlo]] and [[Sweden]] with Audi taking all podium finishes but succumbed to problems further into [[World Rally Championship]] contention. After another season mired in mediocre finishes, [[Walter Röhrl]] finished the season in his Sport Quattro S1 and helped place Audi second in the manufacturer's points. Audi also received rally honors in the [[Hong Kong]] to [[Beijing]] rally in that same year. [[Michèle Mouton]], the first female WRC driver to win a round of the World Rally Championship and a driver for Audi, took the Sport Quattro S1, now simply called the S1 and raced in the [[Pikes Peak|Pikes Peak Hill Climb]]. The climb race pits a driver and car to drive up a 4,302 meter high mountain in [[Colorado]] and in 1985, Michèle Mouton set a new record of 11:25.39 and being the first woman to set a Pikes Peak record. In 1986, Audi formally left international rally racing following an accident in Portugal involving driver Joaquim Santos in his Ford RS200. Santos swerved to avoid hitting spectators in the road, and left the track into the crowd of spectators on the side, killing three and injuring 30. [[Bobby Unser]] used an Audi in that same year to claim a new record for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb at 11:09.22.

=== Motorsports in the USA ===
In 1987, Walter Röhrl claimed the title for Audi setting a new [[Pikes Peak]] record of 10:47.85 in his Audi S1 which he retired from the WRC two years earlier. The Audi S1 employed Audi's time-tested 5-cylinder turbo charged engine and generated over 600&nbsp;hp (447&nbsp;kW). The engine was mated to a 6-speed gearbox and ran on Audi's famous all-wheel drive system. All of Audi's top drivers drove this beast, Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist, Walter Röhrl and the female driver, Michèle Mouton. The Audi S1 enjoys a 0-60&nbsp;mph (0-100&nbsp;km/h) time of 2.3 s. This Audi S1 started the S-series of cars for Audi which now represents an increased level of sports options and quality in the Audi line-up.

As Audi moved away from rallying and into circuit racing, they chose to move first into America with the [[Trans-Am Series|Trans-Am]] in 1988.

In 1989, Audi moved to [[International Motor Sports Association|IMSA]] [[IMSA GT Championship|GTO]] with the [[Audi 90|90]], however as they avoided the two major endurance events (Daytona and Sebring) despite winning on a regular basis, they would lose out on the title.

=== Touring cars ===
In 1990, having completed their objective to market cars in the United States, Audi returned to Europe turning first to the [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft|DTM]] series with the [[Audi V8]], then in 1993, being unwilling to build cars for the new formula, they turned their attention to the fast growing [[Supertouring]] series, which took place nationally, first in the [[French Supertourisme]] and [[Italian Superturismo Championship|Italian Superturismo]]. In the following year, Audi would switched to the German [[Super Tourenwagen]] (known as STW) and then to [[British Touring Car Championship]] (BTCC) the year after that.

The [[FIA]], having difficulty regulating the [[quattro (all wheel drive system)|quattro®]] system and what impact it had on the competitors, would eventually ban all four wheel drive cars from competing in 1998, by then Audi switched all their works efforts to sports car racing.

By 2000, Audi would still compete in the US with their [[Audi RS4|RS4]] for the [[SPEED World Challenge|SCCA Speed World GT Challenge]], through dealer/team [[Champion Racing]] competing against Corvettes, Vipers, and smaller BMWs (where it is one of the few series to permit 4WD cars). In 2003, Champion Racing entered an [[Audi RS6|RS6]]. Once again, the quattro all wheel drive was superior and Champion Audi won the championship. They returned in 2004 to defend their title but a newcomer, Cadillac with the new Omega Chassis CTS-V, gave them a run for their money. After four victories in a row, the Audis were sanctioned with several negative changes that deeply affected the car's performance. Namely, added ballasts and Champion Audi deciding to go with different tires and backing off the turbos boost pressure.

In 2004, after years of competing with the TT-R in the revitalized DTM series, with privateer team [[Abt|Abt Racing/Christian Abt]] taking the 2002 title with [[Laurent Aïello]], Audi returned as a full factory effort to touring car racing by entering two factory supported [[Joest Racing]] [[Audi A4|A4s]].

=== Sports car racing ===
[[Image:Audi R10 1.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Audi R10]]]]

Beginning in 1999, Audi built the [[Audi R8 Race Car|Audi R8 LMP]] to compete in [[sports car racing]], including the [[Le Mans Prototype|LMP900]] class at the [[24 hours of Le Mans]]. The factory supported Joest Racing team won at Le Mans three times in a row (2000 — 2002), as well as winning every race in the [[American Le Mans]] Series in its first year. Audi also sold the car to customer teams such as [[Champion Racing]]. In 2003, two [[Bentley Speed 8]]s, with engines designed by Audi and driven by Joest drivers ''loaned'' to the fellow VW company, competed in the GTP class and finished the race in the top two positions, while the Champion Racing R8 finished third overall and first in the LMP900 class. Audi returned to the winner's circle at the 2004 race, with the top three finishers all driving R8s: Audi Sport Japan Team Goh finished first, Audi Sport UK Veloqx second, and Champion Racing third.

At the 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans, Champion Racing entered two R8s along with an R8 from the Audi PlayStation Team [[Oreca]]. The R8s (which were built to old LMP900 regulations) received a more narrow air inlet restrictor, cutting power, and an additional 50&nbsp;kg of weight compared to the newer LMP1 chassis. On average, the R8s were about 2-3 seconds off pace compared to the [[Pescarolo Sport|Pescarolo]]-[[Judd (engine)|Judd]]. But with a team of excellent drivers and experience, both Champion R8s were able to take first and third while the ORECA team took fourth. The Champion team was also the first American team to win Le Mans since the Gulf Ford GT's in 1967. This also ends the long era of the R8; however, its replacement for 2006, called the [[Audi R10]], was unveiled on [[December 13]], [[2005]].

The R10 employs many new features, including a twin-turbocharged diesel engine. Its first race was the 2006 12 Hours of Sebring as a race-test for the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans, which it later went on to win. Audi has been on the forefront of motorsports, claiming a historic win in the first ever diesel sports car at 12 Hours of Sebring. Audi has achieved the title as the most dominant motor sport power since the start of the 21st century, continuing its long and storied motor sport heritage.


== Technology ==
Audi produces 100% [[galvanize]]d vehicles to prevent corrosion, and was the first mass-market vehicle to do so, following introduction of the process by Porsche, c.1978. Along with other precautionary measures, the thus achieved full-body [[zinc]] coating has proved to be very effective in preventing rust and [[corrosion perforation]]. The body's resulting durability even surpassed Audi's own expectations, causing the manufacturer to extend its original 10-year [[warranty]] against corrosion perforation to currently 12 years.

An all-[[aluminium]] car was brought forward by Audi, and in 1994 the [[Audi A8]] was launched, which introduced aluminum [[space frame]] technology (called ''Audi Space Frame''). Audi introduced a new series of vehicles in the mid-nineties and continues to pursue leading-edge technology and high performance. Prior to that effort, Audi used examples of the Type 44 chassis fabricated out of aluminum as test-beds for the technique. At one time, a copy of this body was fitted with a turbine engine, gaining a World record for mpg in a full-sized car, approximately 200mpg.

The all-aluminum concept was extended to the company's new [[sub-compact]], the [[Audi A2]] which was launched in 2001, although this model was withdrawn from production late in 2005 as the costs of producing an all-aluminium small car proved too high for many buyers looking for a small semi-luxurious car. The aluminium body has proved better suited to larger executive models such as the large A8 saloon.

In all its post Volkswagen-era models, Audi has firmly refused to adopt the traditional [[rear wheel drive]] layout favoured by its two arch rivals [[Mercedes-Benz]] and [[BMW]], favouring either [[front wheel drive]] or [[all wheel drive]]. To achieve this, Audi has usually engineered its cars with a longitudinally mounted engine mounted in an "overhung" position over the front wheels - in front of the axle line. While this allows for equal length driveshafts (therefore combatting [[torque steer]]), and the easy adoption of all-wheel drive, it goes against the ideal 50:50 weight distribution. For this reason, most still believe that BMW has the edge over Audi in terms of dynamic prowess, although this will be addressed with the forthcoming [[Audi A5|A5]] coupe in 2007, and the B8 A4 range, which will feature the engine mounted behind the front wheels.

In the 1970s, two vehicle manufacturers Audi and [[Subaru]] designed their own [[all wheel drive]] systems in passenger vehicles. In the 1980s, all-wheel drive systems in cars became a fad, and other German manufacturers like [[Porsche]], [[BMW]] and [[Mercedes-Benz]] offered all-wheel drive systems in their cars to compete in the marketplace, along with [[General Motors Corporation|GM]], [[Ford]], [[Toyota]] and others. The all-wheel drive system in the Mercedes-Benz vehicles were riddled with problems right from the design sheet. The system also was not popular in Porsche vehicles because owners wanted the traditional performance of the [[rear wheel drive]] they got used to in older Porsches. Although Porsche and Mercedes-Benz offer all-wheel-drive systems in some cars and trucks today, neither manufacturer is as well-known for all-wheel-drive technology as is Audi. Audi has recently applied the ''[[quattro (all wheel drive system)|quattro®]]'' badge to models such as the A3 and TT which do not actually use the quattro system as in prior years, with a mechanical center differential, but with the Swedish Haldex electromechanical clutch AWD system.

In the 1980s, Audi was the champion of the inline 5 cylinder, [[Engine displacement|2.1/2.2 L]] engine as a longer lasting alternative to more traditional 6 cylinder engines. This engine was used not only in production cars but also in their race cars. The 2.1L inline 5 cylinder engine was used as a base for the rally cars in the 1980s, providing well over 400 [[horsepower]] (298 kW) after modification. Before 1990, there were engines produced with a displacement between 2.0L and 2.3L. This range of engine capacity was a good combination of good fuel economy (which was on the mind of every motorist in the 1980s) and, of course, a good amount of power.

Through the early 1990s, Audi began to move more towards the position of being a real competitor in its target market against global luxury leaders Mercedes-Benz and BMW. This began with the release of the Audi V8 in 1990. It was essentially a new engine fitted to the Audi 100/200, but with noticeable bodywork differences. Most obvious was the new grille that was now incorporated in the bonnet.

By 1991, Audi had the 4 cylinder [[Audi 80]], the 5 cylinder [[Audi 80|Audi 90]] and [[Audi 100]], the turbocharged [[Audi 100|Audi 200]] and the [[Audi V8]]. There was also a coupe version of the 80/90 with both 4 and 5 cylinder engines.

Although the five cylinder engine was a successful and very robust powerplant, it was still a little too different for the target market. With the introduction of an all-new Audi 100 in 1992, Audi introduced a 2.8L V6 engine. This engine was also fitted to a face-lifted Audi 80 (all 80 and 90 models were now badged 80 except for the USA), giving this model a choice of 4, 5 and 6 cylinder engines, in sedan, coupe and cabriolet body styles.

The 5 cylinder was soon dropped as a major engine choice; however, a turbocharged 230 hp (169 kW) version remained. The engine, initially fitted to the 200 quattro 20V of 1991, was a derivative of the engine fitted to the Sport Quattro. It was fitted to the Audi Coupe and named the S2 and also to the Audi 100 body, and named the [[Audi S4|S4]]. These two models were the beginning of the mass-produced S series of performance cars.

The [[Audi A8]] replaced the [[Audi V8|V8]] in 1994, with a revolutionary aluminium "Audi Space Frame" (ASF) to save weight. The weight reduction was offset by the quattro all-wheel drive system. It meant the car had similar performance to its rivals, but superior roadholding.

The next major model change was in 1995 when the [[Audi A4]] replaced the [[Audi 80]]. The new nomenclature scheme was applied to the Audi 100 to become the Audi A6 (with a minor facelift). This also meant the S4 became the [[Audi S6|S6]] and a new S4 was introduced in the A4 body. The S2 was discontinued. The [[Audi Cabriolet]] continued on (based on the Audi 80 platform) until 1999, gaining the engine upgrades along the way. A new [[Audi A3|A3]] [[hatchback]] model (sharing the [[VW Golf|Volkswagen Golf]] Mk.4's platform) was introduced to the range in 1996, and the radical [[Audi TT|TT]] coupe and roadster were debuted in 1998 based on the same underpinnings. Another interesting model introduced was the [[Mercedes-Benz A-Class]] competitor, the [[Audi A2]]. The model sold relatively well in Europe, however, the A2 was discontinued in 2005 and Audi decided not to develop an immediate replacement.

The engines available throughout the range were now a 1.4L, 1.6L and 1.8L 4 cylinder, 1.8L 4-cylinder turbo, 2.6L and 2.8L V6, 2.2L turbo-charged 5 cylinder and the 4.2L V8. The V6s were replaced by new 2.4L and 2.8L 30V V6s in 1998, with marked improvement in power, torque and smoothness. Further engines were added along the way, including a 3.7L V8 and 6.0L W12 for the A8.

At the turn of the century, Audi introduced the [[direct-shift gearbox]], or DSG, a manual transmission drivable like an automatic transmission. The system includes dual electrohydraulically controlled clutches instead of a [[torque converter]]. This is implemented in some [[Volkswagen Golf|VW Golfs]], [[Audi A3]] and [[Audi TT|TT]] models. The engine range was continually upgraded, with a 2.7L twin turbo V6 being offered in the Audi S4, A6 and allroad, while the 2.8L V6 was replaced by a 3.0L unit.

In 2001, Audi released a high performance version of the A8, dubbed S8. It featured a {{Auto horsepower|360|0}} 4.2L V8 with 317 torque.

New models of the A3, A4, A6 and A8 have been introduced, with the aging 1.8 litre engine now having been replaced by new FSI ([[Fuel Stratified Injection]]) engines. Nearly every petrol model in the range now incorporates this fuel-saving technology, including the following:

[[Image:2007 Audi R8 Engine.JPG|250px|thumb|FSI engine.]]
Petrol engines:
*1.6 litre 4 cylinder {{Auto bhp|115|0}}
*2.0 litre 4 cylinder 150 bhp (Slowly being phased out in order to make way for TSI engines - see section below)
*2.0 litre 4 cylinder {{Auto bhp|200|-1}}
*2.0 litre 4 cylinder {{Auto bhp|220|0}}
*3.2 litre V6 250-260 bhp
*4.2 litre V8 {{Auto bhp|350|0}}
*4.2 litre V8 {{Auto bhp|414|0}}
*5.0 litre biturbo V10 {{Auto bhp|573|0}}
*5.2 litre V10 {{Auto bhp|450|0}}.

Other engines on sale and featuring in products of the Audi brand include:

*1.6 litre 4 cylinder {{Auto bhp|102|0}}
*1.9 litre TDI {{Auto bhp|105|0}}
*2.0 litre TDI {{Auto bhp|140|0}}
*2.0 litre TDI {{Auto bhp|170|0}}
*2.7 litre TDI {{Auto bhp|180|0}}
*3.0 litre TDI {{Auto bhp|233|0}}
*4.2 litre TDI {{Auto bhp|326|0}}

All TDI models are diesels.

As a premium member of the VW Group, technologies are frequently first introduced to the mass market in Audi vehicles before being 'trickled down' to more value oriented brands such as VW, [[SEAT]] and [[Škoda Auto|Škoda]]. Recent examples of this include a number of the FSI engines mentioned above, as well as the quick-shifting DSG automatic gearbox option.

[[Twincharger|TSI®]] technology was introduced to the Volkswagen Golf early in 2006. These engines use, initially at least, a capacity of 1.4 litres combined with both a turbo- '''and''' super-charger to produce a high power output, with lower levels of harmful carbon dioxide emissions and improved fuel economy when compared with a non-turbo or super-charged engine of a high capacity, such as 2.0 litres. The 1.4 litre TSI engine currently on sale in VW's Golf produces outputs of 140 and {{Auto bhp|170|0}}. These engines have proved popular amongst the motoring press in Britain and could soon be filtered into the Audi range, with a possibility of featuring in the A3 and A4 models, as well as maybe featuring in [[SEAT]] and Skoda's model ranges sometime soon.

Audi has publicly set a goal to surpass BMW and the luxury and safety leaders Mercedes-Benz in global sales by 2015 and have made giant strides to the achievement of this goal since.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}

== See also ==
{{commons|Audi}}
* [[Audi Centre of Excellence]]
* [[Audi Driving Experience]]
* [[Audi Channel]]


== External links ==
* [http://www.audi.com Official website]
* [http://www.audi.com/audi/com/en2/tools/glossary.html Audi glossary]


== References ==
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{{Audi}}

[[Category:Audi]]
[[Category:Volkswagen]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers]]
[[Category:Sports car manufacturers]]
[[Category:Bavaria]]
[[Category:Baden-Württemberg]]
[[Category:Saxony]]


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