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Audi has one of the richest histories in automaking. Ingolstadt has been a reputable premium brand for many decades. This is due to its equal parts of high-quality luxury cars and innovative technical solutions like the Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Audi’s current lineup includes exclusive sedans, SUVs and crossovers. But the real reason Audi is so popular is because of its balance of sportiness and elegance.
Audi’s first years were turbulent. After a period of uncertainty following World War II, Volkswagen took over all Auto Union stakes in the mid-1960s. This was to benefit from the expertise of NSU and its future product lines.
Audi 100 was the first model in the current stage of the brand. It is more than 50 years old. These are Audi’s most famous cars.
AUDI 100 (1968 – 1976)
This model was developed by Dr. Ludwig Kraus, Chief Engineer, in 1968. It introduced Audi to the upper-middle-class market segment. The Audi 100 quickly became a bestseller.
Ludwig Kraus, a 1965 Audi executive, wanted to increase the range of Audi vehicles and thought introducing a model within the executive segment was the best way to do so.
Audi sold more than 800,000 units of its 100-series model, and the Ingolstadt plant was quickly out of capacity.
The Audi 100 was renowned for its drag coefficient, which became the benchmark in the segment. It also featured the first fully galvanized bodywork in an executive sedan and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The Audi 100 was powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 100 horsepower.
AUDI QUATTRO (1980 – 1981)
It is almost impossible to have not heard of the following members on our list. Audi’s Quattro was brought to the Geneva Motor Show in 1980. This wasn’t just any car.
It’s still a groundbreaking model in Ingolstadt after more than 40 years. The technology that brought about this unique coupe has been extended to virtually the entire current lineup of the brand, including the Etron.
Audi’s all-wheel-drive system was included in the Quattro, along with a 2.1-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine that can produce 203 horsepower. This powertrain was unique to a passenger car, making the Quattro one of the most exciting sports cars ever.
The Quattro made a significant contribution to the world of competition by introducing Audi’s all-wheel drive to the World Rally Championship. Some of its most fierce rivals soon adopted this.
AUDI SPORT QUATTRO EVO 2 (1984 – 1986)
The Audi SportQuattro E2 was one the most famous cars in motorsport history. The car was known by racing drivers as “The Monster.”
The Sports Quattro is the perfect example of how brutal and demanding Group A Rally was. Maintaining a straight line with the car’s power and torque was nearly impossible. The chassis couldn’t handle it.
The Sport Quattro S1 was introduced in 1984 as an evolution of the Audi Quattro. It used the same 2.1-liter five-cylinder inline engine. Although it produced 450 horsepower, 354 pound-feet torque and 354 horsepower, some claimed it was closer to 500 horsepower.
Audi designed a body kit that included a huge rear wing and a full body kit to keep the car as close as possible to the ground. The car could go from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. The factory’s last remaining units produced more than 600 horsepower in the 1986 Group B Rally season.
AUDI V8 (1988 – 1993)
It is a new, exciting car. This was Audi’s first car within the luxury sedan segment.
The 200 was unsuccessful, as were the 200 and C3. Both of these engines were based on the Audi 100. The V8 was the third version of this concept. The V8’s fundamental feature was the removal of the small engines from the 200. Audi instead chose to invest in larger, more powerful, 3.6-liter and 4.2-liter 8-cylinder engines.
The 3.6-liter engine produced 250 horsepower, 250 pound-feet torque and acceleration times of 0-60 mph in under 10 seconds. It also has a top speed of over 143 mph.
The 4.2-liter engine produced 295 horsepower and 295 pound-feet. It was the most powerful and accelerated from 0-60 in 7.7 seconds using the automatic transmission and 6.8 seconds using the six-speed manual gearbox.
AUDI S2 (1990 – 1993)
It’s not easy to replace a model like the Audi Quattro. Audi proved it in 1990 when they had to keep the Quattro, the base for the Group B rally.
The Audi 80/90 coupe was the inspiration for the S2. It came with the 5-cylinder, 2.2-liter turbo engine of the Audi 200. It was equipped with 20 valves and 220 horsepower. It inherited the Audi V8 grille. On it was the small badge bearing the initials S2, the equivalent of the M in BMW.
It was visually striking, but the handling, mainly due to its soft suspension, was more about comfort than performance. It was more like a GT than a true sports car.
The engine was quiet but hampered by its weight and gear ratios. A gearbox that was too slow to be considered a sports coupe had a top speed of 153 miles per hour.
AUDI R2 AVANT (1994-1995)
It was the fastest car on the market at 155 mph when it first came out in 1994. We’re talking about Audi RS2 Avant. This model was created in a joint venture between Audi and Porsche. It became a legend in the 90s.
Both companies collaborated because they weren’t yet in the same group. Audi wanted to compete against the BMW M3. Porsche was not in a very good financial position, so this stage of its history is well-known for its many projects for other motor manufacturers.
Audi supplied the body, the chassis for the 80 Avant, and additional components. Porsche handled the rest. It started with a 2.2-liter Inline-five engine, which produced 315 horsepower and a torque of 302 lbs. The RS2 Avant could go from 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds.
AUDI TT (1998-PRESENT)
Audi produced the first TT in 1998. It featured simple, rounded forms, a drop from the roof and a pleasing silhouette. This coupe didn’t conform to the aggressive lines of the sports coupe segment.
The Audi TT was developed on the Volkswagen Golf IV platform. It featured a 1.8 turbo engine producing 180 horsepower or 225 horsepower. In both cases, it also had an optional Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It was also available in a roadster body for eight years.
DSG gearbox was introduced to the TT for the first time. It was previously the fourth-generation Volkswagen Golf R32.
Audi introduced a 3.2-liter VR6 engine to its TT lineup in 2003. It produced 250 horsepower and 236 lb/ft torque to all four wheels. It reached speeds of 155 mph and was able to accelerate from 0-to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds.
AUDI RS4 BB7 (2006 -2008)
Audi’s RS4 B7 was launched in 2006 when SUV hype had almost destroyed the market for this model of vehicle. Every RS4 edition has won in many categories, especially on slippery and corner surfaces. The RS4’s racing record in rallying makes it a great choice.
The Audi RS4 B7 has many things I love, including the sleek, widened body and the most beautiful wheel design I have ever seen. The boosted sedan concept fascinates me the most, especially the RS4 with its naturally-aspirated 4.2-liter V8 that produces 420 horsepower and 317 pound-feet. This is mated with a six-speed manual transmission.
Bucket seats are another highlight of this car. They emphasize the car’s racing and sporty character and help keep the occupants in their place while turning at high speeds.
AUDI A1 QUATTRO (2012-PRESENT)
The Audi A1 Quattro tops the range for this small car from Ingolstadt. The 2.0 TFSI turbo direct-injection 4-cylinder engine produces 256 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet torque. It is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The suspension is McPherson on the front axle and four-link at the rear. It’s firmer than other A1 models. The tiny sports car has an electronic differential and an ESP that activates sports mode on demand.
Its strikingly beautiful design stands out because of its muscular build.
The A1’s 2-liter TFSI (and its Quattro system, which hides beneath its skin) can accelerate the vehicle from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds to reach speeds of 152 mph and 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.
AUDI R8 (2006) – PRESENT
Impossible. It was impossible. This design was far from Audi’s traditional lines and offered a performance rivaling the industry’s best. They were wrong. Audi did the impossible. The first-generation R8 proved that Audi could create an amazing sports car, but it also proves that it can be used for everyday living.
The R8 was the first Audi car we saw in 2007. It had one of the most powerful engines Audi has ever produced hidden under its rear hood. The RS4’s naturally-aspirated 4.2 V8 produces 420 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque.
