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History of the Audi brand, list of Audi models of all time

History of the Audi brand, list of Audi models of all time

History of the Audi brand, list of Audi models of all time

The history of the popular automobile brand Audi begins in the distant 19th century. With the emergence of the automotive industry as an industry, talented engineer August Horch founded a small automobile factory in 1899. This year is considered the beginning of the now world-famous manufacturer, even though the enterprise itself is not a direct “ancestor” of Audi, as the cars produced were called “Horch.” It was the foundation of this company in 1899 that ignited August’s strong interest in the automotive industry.

However, talented engineer August did not want to stop and leave the automobile industry. He borrowed 200,000 marks from friends and acquaintances, which was a huge amount at that time, and began to establish a new enterprise. He also wanted to name his new factory and brand after his own surname. However, his former companions from the previous production sued him, and the judge ordered August to change the name of the newly established company. August had to work hard to come up with a new name. But chance intervened. August’s surname – Horch – translates from Latin to “listen.” And the son of one of the engineers, who studied Latin at school, in the presence of August, was conjugating the verb “audire” (meaning “to listen”). And the name for the new brand was born by itself – it was a synonym for “Horch”: Audi – “listen!” In fact, August even liked the imperative form of the verb more than the original option with his own surname.

Over the next 20 years, the new Audi brand successfully conquered the market and the hearts of fans. Audi cars gained fame for their reliability, power, and comfort, which these cars could provide. Although the performance of that time may not be seen as “achievements” for a modern person, it was a breakthrough for the early 20th century. Audi models took top positions in sports competitions. Celebrities and the “upper class” drove Audi cars. The real breakthrough came with the Audi Type R model, which was released in 1928. From a technical perspective, the car was at a “space-age” level. A powerful eight-cylinder engine with 100 hp confidently accelerated the convertible to a rapid 110 km/h by the standards of that time.

Birth of the “rings” or the history of the Audi logo

The now-famous “four rings” began their history in 1932. At that time, the Auto Union AG alliance was born. It included four automobile manufacturers:

• Audi;
• DKW;
• Horch;
• Wanderer.

Logically, each ring in the logo represented one of these manufacturers. In Germany, before World War II, this alliance was the second-largest and is rightfully considered the forerunner of the modern Audi AG group.

Over the next 7 years, leading up to the beginning of World War II, the alliance made an impressive leap in all directions. Each of the alliance members conquered different market niches, which contributed to the overall success. Horch offered the best-class convertibles and limousines. Wanderer built the most progressive roadster called W25K. DKW’s cars were the first to pass crash tests successfully. And Audi’s cars introduced front-wheel drive for the mid-range class. In the world of sports, Auto Union’s cars and their drivers had no competitors and firmly established themselves as champions.

By 1938, almost 23,000 people were working at the company’s factories, Auto Union held 23.4% of the car market, and its capital reached a record 238 million marks for those years.

In the post-war period, until the mid-60s, the once-legendary alliance went through difficult times. Eventually, the problems led to the dissolution of the alliance, a change of ownership, and a series of relocations across German cities. This led to Volkswagen Group acquiring 100% of Auto Union shares, and two years later, already under the umbrella of the giant, the newest development emerged – the Audi 100. This model successfully entered the mid-range class of cars. Further developments, released as Audi 50, Audi 80, and the new generation Audi 100 models, made the revived legend even stronger. The true triumph of the brand came in 1980 when the legendary Audi Quattro was released.

Audi cars returned to participate in rally sports competitions in 1982. The company made its presence known through a series of victories. The full range of Audi cars with all-wheel drive has been continuously and rapidly developing since then.

The present-day brand Audi AG was registered in the commercial register of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1985 with its headquarters in Ingolstadt. The corporation continues to grow and develop. The brand became famous for actively conducting its own technical research and development and then applying its knowledge in the construction of new models.

By the 1990s, the company’s products were no longer exclusively aimed at the mid-range class. Audi cars entered the premium segment. In 1994, with the release of the first “aluminum” creation in the form of the Audi A8 sedan, the brand took a worthy place among premium cars. In the same year, the future bestseller – the Audi A6 business-class sedan and station wagon, as well as the successful Audi A4 model, hit the assembly line.

Towards the end of the second half of the 1990s, the company expanded not only its range and improved its models but also increased its production volumes. This yielded results. By 1998, Audi AG had acquired the Italian brand Lamborghini. The experience and a set of technical developments, as well as German precision and diligence, breathed new life into the Italian supercar legend. A second wind also came to Ducati after Audi AG acquired the company in 2012.

Significant Growth of Audi in the 21st Century

The corporation expanded its capacities by opening new plants in different parts of the world. In 2016, the first Audi production facility in the United States was opened. The modern plant in San José Chiapa, Puebla state, Mexico, is designed for an annual production capacity of up to 150,000 cars. The first Audi Q5 rolled off the assembly line.

As of now, the company employs 85,000 people. Its products, top-class cars and motorcycles, are supplied to more than 100 countries worldwide. Production is carried out at 17 facilities located in 13 countries. Currently, the company is actively developing technologies aimed at the environmental friendliness of its products. One of the latest products is the Audi e-tron. In the future, according to the company’s management statements, all Audi models will be electric. It is expected that the production of vehicles with internal combustion engines will cease in 2033, and by 2025, Audi plans to introduce more than 20 models of electric vehicles to the market.

It’s pleasing to note that the original concept laid down by the founder, August Horch, continues to bring joy even today. Engineers, just like 100 years ago, are working on cutting-edge solutions and continue their research.

List of Audi Models

• A1

  2 generations, 2011 – present

• A1 CITYCARVER

  1 generation, 2020 – present

• A3

  7 generations, 1999 – present

• A4

  8 generations, 1996 – present

• A4 ALLROAD QUATTRO

  2 generations, 2016 – present

• A5

  4 generations, 2007 – present

• A6

  8 generations, 1994 – present

• A6 ALLROAD QUATTRO

  2 generations, 2012 – present

• A7

  3 generations, 2010 – present

• A8

  7 generations, 1994 – present

• A8 L EXTENDED

  1 generation, 2016 – present

• A8 L SECURITY

  1 generation, 2014 – present

• E-TRON

  2 generations, 2018 – present

• Q2

  1 generation, 2017 – present

• Q3

  4 generations, 2011 – present

• Q4 E-TRON

  1 generation, 2022 – present

• Q5

  2 generations, 2008 – 2020

• Q7

  3 generations, 2006 – present

• Q8

  1 generation, 2019 – present

• R8

  4 generations, 2006 – present

• RS Q3

  3 generations, 2013 – present

• RS Q8

  1 generation, 2020 – present

• RS3

  2 generations, 2011 – present

• RS4

  3 generations, 2012 – present

• RS5

  4 generations, 2010 – present

• RS6

  4 generations, 2002 – present

• RS7

  3 generations, 2014 – present

• S3

  6 generations, 1999 – present

• S4

  8 generations, 1997 – present

• S5

  4 generations, 2009 – present

• S6

  6 generations, 1994 – present

• S7

  1 generation, 2020 – present

• S8

  5 generations, 1996 – present

• SQ2

  1 generation, 2019 – present

• SQ5

  2 generations, 2013 – present

• SQ7

  2 generations, 2017 – present

• SQ8

  1 generation, 2020 – present

• TT

  4 generations, 1999 – present

• TT OFFROAD

  1 generation, 2014 – present

• TT RS

  2 generations, 2009 – present

• TTS

  3 generations, 2007 – present