The German carmaker Audi has been around in one form or another since 1909, and has become one of the world’s most recognisable brands.
With famous models, such as the Quattro and R8, Audi has established itself as a brand that has become incredibly desirable, as it offers well-built premium models that are always looking forward in both design and technologies.
With all that in mind, here is a brief insight into the manufacturer and what cars they currently make.
Who are Audi?
The word Audi is the latinisation of Horch’s last name, which translates to ‘listen’. The ‘four-ring’ logo is the former Auto Union icon, which represented the four manufacturers – Audi, Horch, Dampf-Kraft-Wagen and Wanderer – that joined together to form the company in 1932.
The modern version of the manufacturer has been on the market since 1965, when Volkswagen acquired Auto Union from Daimler and renamed it in memory of original founder August Horch. Audi was then merged with NSU Moterenwerke in 1969, with the company keeping its title.
Since the late 60s, the brand has become one of the world’s top premium manufacturers under the stewardship of Volkswagen, who it shares platforms and technology with to advance the vehicle line-up.
Who owns Audi?
Audi has been owned by the Volkswagen Group since 1965 and the conglomerate currently owns 99.55 per cent of Audi’s shares. The other 0.45 per cent of the shares are free-floating for the general public. Audi themselves do own other companies though, with Lamborghini and Ducati included in the Audi Group corporate umbrella. The company also includes Audi Sport, which as well as helping with the development of tuned road models, produces the racing cars for customer teams in various motorsport categories.
Where is Audi made?
Audi models are made across 12 factories in ten countries, including two in Germany and China – where the brand has a large market share – and Brazil. Lamborghini uses a factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, to produce its supercars, while Ducati has sites in Italy, Thailand and Brazil. As a whole, Audi Group produced more than 2,088,187 cars and 55,451 motorbikes in 2016.
Audi 2017 models
As Audi tries to cater for any and all customers, it produces 13 base models that also have S and RS version co-developed by Audi Sport. Here is a brief rundown of the cars it currently offers.
A1
The smallest model that Audi offers, the A1 is aimed more for the younger driver and to be used in an urban environment. It has the same chassis as the Volkswagen Polo and has been on the market since 2010.
A3
Available since 1996, the A3 comes in ‘sportback’ or saloon guises and is seen as the first family car in the Audi line-up. Currently in its third generation, it also comes with e-tron plug-in hybrid and convertible versions.
A4
After five generations, the Audi A4 has become one of the world’s best executive saloons. Also available in an estate body, the A4 shares its chassis with many other Audi models, such as the A5, A6 and Q5.
A5
The model mainly seen in the sleek coupe guise also has sportback and cabriolet versions, which is roughly the same size as the A4. It has also been updated recently and comes with a wide range of technologies, as does the rest of the line-up.
A6
As the main large saloon, the A6 is known for its tuned estate version called the RS6. Also available with in an Allroad design, which takes inspiration from off-roading vehicles, the A6 range has been around since 1996.
A7
The largest coupe model on offer, the A7 is receiving an update before the end of 2017, with the new version coming to market in 2018. It has only been part of the line-up since 2010 and is only available as a ‘sportback’.
A8
The fourth generation A8 is the most technologically advanced model that Audi will offer from the start of 2018. Coming with autonomous capabilities and an almost-buttonless interior design, this is Audi’s most luxurious model.
Q2
The newest model in the Audi line-up, the Q2 is a compact SUV/crossover that has the city in mind. Based on the VW Group MQB platform, it shares its chassis with the VW Golf, Skoda Kodiaq and Seat Ateca.
Q3
On offer since 2011, the Q3 is a small SUV that can be seen as an excellent family car thanks to its raised ride position, great safety rating and decent comfort options. It had a mid-generation update in 2013, which refreshed the exterior and interior designs.
Q5
Seen as the mid-size SUV, the Audi Q5 has recently been released in its second-generation guise following its introduction to the market in 2008. It was the second Audi SUV to be released.
Q7
Currently the largest SUV Audi offers, the Q7 was also the first one to be released in 2006 and has become its flagship premium SUV. Currently in its second generation that was released in 2016, it also an e-tron version and comes with the latest Audi safety technology.
TT
The TT has evolved a lot since it was first revealed in 1998, but has always maintained a stylish exterior. Currently coming in a much sleeker body, the TT originally had a curvier body that is seen by many as a design classic.
R8
The fastest car Audi currently makes and arguably its most exciting model ever alongside the Quattro. The R8 has established itself as one of the best supercars on the market and is now in its second generation – sharing its base with the Lamborghini Huracan.