AUDI Car History

The four rings:

          It's one of the most multi-faceted stories ever told in the history of the automobile. The Audi emblem with its four rings identifies one of Germany’s oldest-established automobile manufacturers. It symbolizes the amalgamation in 1932 of four previously independent motor-vehicle manufacturers: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. These companies form the roots of what is today AUDI AG.

History:

          The story of Audi began in 1899 August Horch founded Horch & Cie. in Cologne. It was there that he helped build his first car. After differences of opinion with the board, August Horch left the company and formed a second car company. Because his surname was already in use and was protected by trademark, he chose its Latin translation for the new company. So "Horch!" – or "hark" – became "Audi!". It was a brilliant idea that came from the son of one of August Horch's business partners.

          AUDI AG is a German company which produces cars under the Audi brand. It is part of the Volkswagen Group. The name Audi is based on a Latin translation of the surname of the founder August Horch, itself the German word for “listen!" Audi is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Current News:

          Audi Tradition keeps you informed on recent classic-car acquisitions, entries for rally and racing events, anniversaries, new publications, research into company history, current exhibitions in the Audi museum mobile and many other topics.

Some Series in Audi Cars:

          A3/S3: A new A3 sedan built on a platform shared with the seventh-gen VW Golf makes its debut this spring as a 2015 model. Europeans get a variety of A3s, but we only get a handsome, roughly $30,000 sedan that is likely to be powered by a 140-hp 2.0-liter turbo-diesel and a 210-hp 2.0-liter gas engine. Front- and four-wheel-drive models will be offered.

          A4: Horsepower rises from 211 to 220 on Audi's 2.0-liter turbo engine. Other than that, nothing but trim and package changes.

          A5: Coupes and cabriolets get the same up rated 220-hp version of Audi's 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo.

          A6: The A6 2.0T is upgraded to 220 horses, too, but the big news is the diesel-powered A6 3.0 TDI. Its 3.0-liter V-6 makes 240 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque while delivering 24 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

          A7/RS7/S7: The last word in low-roof Audi hatches is the 560-hp RS7. On sale this fall, the S8-spec 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 will send the RS7 to 60 mph in a claimed 3.7 seconds. Like its non-pea cocking brother, the A6, the A7 gets the same 3.0-liter V-6 diesel option for 2014. All A7s have five seats instead of four; the S7 still has four.

          A8: The A8 also gets the diesel treatment, courtesy of the aforementioned V-6. Available exclusively as a long-wheelbase model, the A8L TDI's fuel economy rings in at 24 mpg city and 36 highway.

          Q5/SQ5 (shown above): At the bottom of the Q5 line up, the 2.0T model gets the corporate bump to 220 horsepower. The mid-level Q5 3.0T benefits from a few minor trim changes. A new SQ5 model tops the line up with 354 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque from its supercharged 3.0-liter V-6. Audi claims a zero-to-60 time of 5.1 seconds.

          RS5 cabriolet: A convertible version of the 450-hp RS5 made its debut in 2013 and continues on next year.

          R8: As predicted in this space last year, the 2014 R8 gets a mid-cycle revision with subtle exterior changes. Keeping the R8 fresh, however, is an optional S tronic dual-clutch automatic that replaces the clunky single-clutch R tronic transmission. The six-speed manual is still available. A new V-10 Plus model brings 550 horsepower (25 more than the standard V-10) and a track-firm suspension, helping the R8 encroach on Italian supercar territory.

        The Audi R8 is an all-wheel-drive, mid-engine super car that shares a platform and numerous other mechanical components with the Lamborghini Gallardo. Despite its high performance capabilities, the R8's user-friendly nature and comfortable cabin actually make it suitable as a daily driver.

First introduced in 2008, the R8 now features Spyder (convertible) and V10 variants.