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Audi AG is a 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, Horch and DKW, the former having incorporated the historic Audi company which was founded in 1910.

Audi's corporate tagline is Vorsprung durch Technik, meaning "Advancement through Technology" or "Head Start through Technology". This German-language tagline is also used in other European countries, including the UK, and in other markets, such as Latin America, Oceania and parts of Asia including Korea, Japan. The American and Canadian tagline is "Truth in Engineering".

A3

In the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, Audi launched the second-generation of the A3, the Typ 8P, designed by Walter de'Silva. Originally launched as a three-door hatchback only with four cylinder engines, it featured a new mechanical platform (the PQ35 platform), a redesigned and more spacious interior, new petrol engines with Fuel Stratified Injection and standard six-speed gearboxes (except on the base 1.6).

In mid 2003, the line was updated with two sports models, a 2.0 Turbo FSI version with 200 PS (147 kW) and a 3.2 VR6 engine (for the first time) with 250 PS (184 kW). Quattro four wheel drive and the S-Tronic semi-auto gearbox were introduced as optionals (quattro is standard on the V6) on every model 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) and over.

A new five-door body, dubbed Sportback, was introduced in June 2004. Unlike the previous generation, the new A3 Sportback is 8 cm (3 in) longer than the base three-door body, and includes improved rear cabin space and a larger luggage compartment (370 litres). It also received the new front grille originally introduced in the A8 W12.

In 2005, the S-Line trim level, with new sporty decorative elements, became available in certain models, and the 3-door received the same frontend as the Sportback. For the first time, the A3 became available in the North American market, exclusively with the Sportback body, with the base 2.0 TFSI introduced in 2005 and the 3.2 V6 quattro following in 2006. In the Spring of 2005, Audi began a massive alternate reality game to advertise for the A3, known as The Art of the Heist.

In April 2006, the lineup was expanded with the introduction of a more powerful 2.0 TDI with 170 PS (125 kW). In August 2006, Audi announced the arrival of the S3 version, which became the new range topper. The 2.0 TFSI engine was uprated to 265 PS (195 kW), thanks to a higher turbo pressure of 1.2 bar, and is available with a standard 6-speed manual and Quattro. The second generation S3 is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds. The springs and dampers were tuned for a harder setting, and ride height lowered by 25 mm (1 inch). 225/40 R18 tyres are standard.

In January 2007, the normally aspirated 2.0 FSI was replaced by a new turbocharged 1.8 TFSI engine, with 160 PS (118 kW). It is available in front-wheel drive only.

In the fall of 2007, Audi will introduce a new 1.4L TFSI engine for the A3 and a new "e"-model . The "e"-models, Audi's equivalent of Volkswagen's Blue Motion, is available with the 1.9L TDI engine, and offers a more ecological car, with a CO₂ emission below 120 g/km.


A4

Audi released the first official pictures of the B8 series A4 in August 2007 and unveiled the car to the public at the September 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. Saloon and Avant models are offered.

The B8 A4 substantially shares the same underpinnings as the A5 coupé. Compared to prior A4 chassis, the front axle is moved forward with respect to the engine. This effectively moves the engine mass further aft, improving the weight balance and handling by more evenly distributing the weight on all tires. The estimated static front/rear weight ratio of the B8 is approximately 55:45, depending on body style and engine selection.

The B8 A4has increased in length by approximately 12 cm over the prior B7, offering increased rear seating legroom. The boot (trunk) has also increased to 480 litres (17 cu ft) for the saloon (sedan) version.

A5

The A5 is the coupé variant of the 4th generation A4 (B8) sedan and estate that was launched at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. The A5 marks Audi's return to the mid-size coupé market since the (B3/B4) Audi 80-based Coupe model ended production in 1996 - the Mk 2 (B6/B7) A4 spawning a convertible variant but not a coupé.

The A5 debuts the new Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which is planned to underpin the next generation A4, A6 and A8 models. The platform is notable for its departure from Audi's trademark "overhung" engine mounting position over the front axle, in favour of the powertrain being located behind the front axle - in an effort to achieve a more even weight distribution (55:45) between the front and rear wheels.

The Audi A5 is the next model to be released following the second generation TT and R8 models. The A5 has adopted many elements of the Nuvolari quattro concept. The A5 will début with the 3.2-liter FSI V6 engine delivering 265 PS (261 hp/195 kW).


A6

The new A6 (C6) was released in 2005. Designed by Walter de'Silva, the new model is visually an evolution of the C5, but is longer (492 cm), incorporates the new Audi trademark single-frame grille, and features more sophisticated technology. Most notable is the MMI (Multi Media Interface) which is a system controlling in-car entertainment, satellite navigation, climate control, car settings such as suspension configuration and optional electronic accessories through a central screen interface. This has the advantage of minimizing the wealth of buttons normally found on a dashboard by replacing them with controls which operate multiple devices using the integrated display.

On the engine side the new FSI direct injection technology was introduced for the first time outside the race track. Although the line of engines represents the same progression as the former model, all engines were new. The Multitronic automatic transmission continues as an alternative alongside a new 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox available in the high end models. quattro four wheel drive is available in most of the lineup, and standard in the most powerful models. quattro is not available on the Multitronic variants of the A6 but is available on the manual and Tiptronic gear systems. Conversely the Tiptronic system is only available on the quattro variants of the car. The 6-speed manual gearbox is available with the 3.2L engine but not for the North American market as sales of C5 manuals were slow.

In 2005, the new Audi A6 won the World Car of the Year award.

Like the previous model, the A6 is available with other body options. The Avant arrived during the course of 2005, while in China, a longer version was introduced in the same year, named A6 L. The allroad (now called "A6 allroad quattro) model made its debut in 2006 and as before is an off-road ready version of the Avant available with either a 2.7 or 3.0 diesel or a 3.2 or 4.2 petrol. The sporting S6 was introduced in the Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales beginning in early 2006. It is powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.2 L V10 FSI producing 435 PS (320 kW).

A mighty RS6 will be on sale early 2008. This will be powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.0 L V10 TFSI producing 580 PS (426 kW).

On the 01/22/2008 spy photos of the mid-life facelift A6 appeared on the internet (http://www.caradvice.com.au/9714/2009-audi-a6-spy-photos). The images show a slightly redesigned front bumper, new rectangular fog lamps as well as bigger air-intakes to the left and right of the grille.


A8

The second-generation A8 built on Audi's D3 platform was introduced in early 2003. The model was longer than the previous generation, with room for four or five large adult occupants in the cabin depending on rear seat configuration.

Two body variants of the second generation A8 are offered, the A8 and the long-wheelbase A8L. The A8L adds five inches of rear legroom.

Audi restyled the D3 platform A8 range slightly in 2005, endowing all variants with a taller, wider single-frame grille inspired by that of the Nuvolari concept car. The top-of-the-line 12-cylinder W12 version was the first model to be equipped with this grille; V8 models were outfitted with the new grille the following year. In addition to the styling update, new engines became available to European and Asian market customers. The entry-level 3.0 L V6 was replaced with a new 3.2 L unit featuring FSI, which it shares with the new A4.

The second-generation A8 introduced the 4.2 L Diesel V8 engine. Generating 240 kW (326 PS) of power, this is the most powerful diesel engine Audi has ever offered in a passenger automobile. The engine uses two turbochargers and two intercoolers, with each turbocharger functioning exclusively for one bank of four cylinders.

For MY 2008, the A8 received new electronic safety systems. "Audi Side Assist" detects cars in the A8's blind spots. "Audi Lane Assist" helps when the driver attempts to change lanes without signaling first.


TT

In August 2004, Audi announced that the next-generation TT will be made of aluminium and would go into production in 2007. A TT concept (the Audi Shooting Brake) was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. This concept featured angular styling and a "shooting brake" 2-door hatchback body style.

Audi revealed the second-generation TT, internal designation Typ 8J, on April 6, 2006. It is constructed of aluminum in the front and steel in the rear to enhance its balance and is available in front- or all-wheel drive. The production car uses either the 3.2 L VR6 engine, with 250 PS (247 hp/184 kW), or a 200 PS (197 hp/147 kW) version of Audi's direct injection 2.0 L four. Better known as FSI, Fuel Straight/Stratified Injection, the technology was derived from the Le Mans race cars and offers improved fuel efficiency as well as an increased power output. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with the DSG as an option, and quattro all-wheel drive is standard with the V6.

Audi's new active suspension, Audi Magnetic Ride, is available as an option and is based on Delphi's MagneRide magneto rheological dampers (which means that the suspension will automatically adjust depending on the current road conditions). The new TT also features an improved rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds greater than 120 km/h (75 mph) and retracts again at 80 km/h (50 mph). The spoiler can also be manually controlled by the driver via a switch on the dash . It is again be offered as a 2+2 coupé and as a roadster.


R8

The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car introduced by the German automaker Audi in 2007.

The first appearance of the car was in 2006, appearing at auto shows and events all over the world. The R8 is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, as Audi has full ownership of subsidiary Lamborghini S.p.A. Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, which was based on the earlier Audi RSQ concept vehicle, appearing at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show and 2003 International Motor Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There is some confusion with the name which the car shares with the Le Mans winning R8 LMP. Originally, many thought the car would be called the R9 (as there is a gap in numbering left when Audi announced the R8's successor, the diesel-powered R10).


Q7

The Q7 utilizes a modified version of the Volkswagen 7L platform. Based on the Audi Pikes Peak Quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use and was not meant for serious off-road use where a transfer case is needed,but in an offroad test through the Australian Out-Back it fared remarkably well for a luxury "soft roader". Although it lacks a low-range transfer case, it has a central differential lock and an adjustable-height air suspension which helps in offroad situations. The production model was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. Audi South-Africa runs a very tough offroad course with the Q7 where it actually proves itself a better off-roader than most would give it credit for.

In early 2005, Nissan sued Audi over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name. Audi is using the "Q" for the designation of their quattro all wheel drive system used in production cars for over twenty-five years (Audi's "quattro" trademark is actually an umbrella term for several types of all wheel drive systems developed by Haldex AB, Torsen and Borg-Warner, the latter being used in the Q7). Nissan's Infiniti marque had been using Q as the name for sedans (the Q45) and SUVs (the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.

A settlement between Audi AG and Nissan was reached in late 2006. The agreement stipulates that Audi will only used the Q-prefix for two models, the Q5 and the Q7.


A6 allroad

Audi announced the second generation allroad in the spring of 2005 and released it in the summer of 2006. Unlike the previous model, this new model will be called Audi A6 allroad (unlike the previous version, which was merely called Audi allroad). The car features again quattro four-wheel drive system and adaptive air suspension. The A6 allroad is powered by two FSI gasoline engines, a 3.2 L V6 and a 4.2 L V8, and two TDI engines, a 180 PS (132 kW) 2.7 L and a 233 PS (171 kW) 3.0 L. The Tiptronic gearbox is standard on the 4.2 V8 and the 2.7 TDI, but optional on the 3.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI. The suspension can be raised by up to 60 mm to provide ground clearance of 185 mm. The car features a number of off-road styling cues including larger bumpers and sills. In some European markets, the new A6 allroad is more expensive than the larger Q7, but air suspension is an expensive option in the Q7. In its native country, Germany, it costs a few hundred euros less than the Q7.

The second generation is currently not available in North America.

Audi launched the Audi Q7 full-size luxury SUV in 2006, which shares its platform with the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg. To date, the A6 allroad model has received critical acclaim thanks to a lower price than the larger Q7, an enjoyable driving experience, some off-road credentials and a superb quality cabin. A smaller and sportier Q5 is expected to be introduced to compete against mid-size SUVs such as the Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.