This company combines high technology with solid performance and styling that is very good-looking, but also a little understated. Most famously, the brand is known for its near-ubiquitous all-wheel drive.
Here on this blog, you’ll find everything you need to know to understand, decipher and shop for the current Audi (or pre-owned Audi) range.
Audi history
Audi is a German luxury car manufacturer based in Ingolstadt and owned by Volkswagen AG. The Audi name dates back to 1910, but VW merged several companies into the modern Audi in 1969.
Audi made its name in motorsport with the all-wheel drive rally champion Audi Quattro in the early 1980s. Volkswagen has positioned Audi as its top competitor to Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
How does Audi name its cars
Audi uses a simple naming format, mostly using letters and numbers:
– Base models have an “A” designation.
– Sportier luxury models have “S”. (The sportier “RennSport” models get “RS.”)
– Audi uses “Q” in its SUV range.
– “E-Tron” is used for electric cars.
The now defunct Audi TT and R8 existed outside of this nomenclature.
Audi pairs letters with numbers from 3 to 8. Larger numbers can mean different things. That could mean a bigger, more powerful car like the A8; this could mean an almost identical car with a different body style, like the Audi Q7 and Q8. (Whatever the difference, the higher number will be more expensive.)
Most Audi models offer Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels, with each level adding technology and luxury features.
Buying guide
Audi sedan, station wagon, hatchback, coupe and convertible models (A3/S3/RS 3)
The A3 is a subcompact, entry-level Audi. The current generation debuted in the 2021 model year.
The manufacturer also offers two sportier sedan variants. The S3 car uses the same 2.0-liter turbo-four as the Golf R; The RS 3 uses a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine that produces 394 hp of power and 481.44 NM of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h. in 3.9 seconds.
Body types: Sedan, Hatchback
Models:
Engines:
- 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharger
- Turbocharger 2.5 liter inline-5
Starting price (Current generation): €23,300
A4 / S4
The Audi A4 is a compact car that is offered as a sedan and a more rugged ‘Allroad’ station wagon. The current generation debuted in the 2016 model year.
The A4 sedan was one of the last models to lose the manual transmission in 2019. The Allroad was the only wagon in the Audi range until the recent arrival of the RS 6 Avant and A6 Allroad.
The A4 has one sportier model, the S4 sedan. Audi makes a wonderful 450hp RS 4 Avant wagon.
Body types: sedan, station wagon
Models:
Engines:
- 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharger
- 3.0-liter turbocharged V6
Starting price (Current generation): €34,900
A5/S5/RS 5
The Audi A5 is an A4 with a more expensive body: coupé, convertible or sportback. The Sportback, coupe and convertible share the same engine as the A4.
The S5 Sportback, coupe and convertible versions use the same 3.0-liter V6 as the S4.
The even sportier RS 5 sportback and coupe models use a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h. in 3.7 seconds. It has also earned the claimed “Ph.D. in execution.”
Body type: hatchback, coupe, convertible
Models:
- A5 Sportback/Coupe/Cabriolet
- S5 Sportback/Coupe/Cabriolet
- RS 5 Sportback/Coupe
Engines:
- 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharger
- 3.0-liter turbocharged V6
- Twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6
Starting price (Current generation): €29,650
A6 / S6 / RS 6 Avant
The A6 is a mid-size luxury sedan that was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The new A6 Allroad offers SUV-like functionality in a wagon package. The higher-performance version of the S6 updates to the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 it shares with the RS 5 and S7. The RS 6 Avant wagon is available with its (updated for 2024) 621 hp twin-turbo V8.
Body type: Sedan, Estate
Models:
- A6
- A6 Allroad
- S6
- RS 6 Avant
Engines:
- 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharger
- 3.0-liter turbocharged V6
- Twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6
- 4.0 liter turbocharged V8
Starting price (Current generation): €35,200
You can find other cars
If you are looking for used Audi cars – visit the BRC car center, there you will find a wide selection of Audi and other brands and “BRC leasing” will offer you the best offer for leasing a car.
