Home » Car Reviews » Audi
Audi
2008 Audi A4 compact luxury sports sedan.2008 Audi A4. - enlargeSince its introduction to the U.S. market in 1970, Audi has come a long way manufacturing new cars that bundle high performance and lush, ornate interiors. If you are considering the purchase of an imported performance sedan, Audi should be on your list. Heading off the list is the 2007 and 2008 Audi A3 (MSRP $25,930 - $34,915,) a small family wagon with great engine response and a sleek look. The 2007 and 2008 Audi A4 (MSRP $28,900 - $39,750) offers a great convertible along with the fabulous hard-top sedan, a choice of engines [1], and the Multi-Media Interface, which controls the entertainment, climate control and navigation systems. The 2007 and 2008 Audi A6 (MSRP $42,950 - $56,300) has a comfy interior and is a favorite among those who prefer a bigger engine in their sedan (its V8 includes direct injection and generates 350 hp). [2] For those looking for a limousine or large sedan with all the amenities anyone could want, the 2007 and 2008 Audi A8 (MSRP $70,690 - $120,100) boasts a great ride, with a six-speed automatic transmission that adapts to your individual driving style plus new optional wheels and exterior colors. [3] The 2007 and 2008 Audi Q7 (MSRP $42,500 - $58,600) is a good off-road SUV with the power of Audi's quattro All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and V8 engine backing it up.
The 2008 Audi R8 coupe (MSRP $109,000 - $118,000) aims to compete with the Porsche AWD 911 and comes complete with a classy, minimalist interior and an exciting, powerful engine. The 2007 and 2008 Audi RS4 sedan (MSRP $66,910 - $81,900) closes the gap between a sports sedan and a sports car, giving speed and power in a lightweight package. The 2007 and 2008 Audi S4 (MSRP $48,610 - $57,975) is available in sedan, wagon, and convertibles styles, with either a six-speed manual, or six-speed automatic transmission, and a bevy of features like a sunroof, and silky, Napa leather upholstery. The 2007 and 2008 Audi S6 (MSRP $72,350) sedan is an extra-powered-up version of the Audi A6, with most of its plush features. The 2007 and 2008 Audi S8 (MSRP $93,300) sails through as the automaker's flagship sedan with its ultra-luxurious interior and its much-talked-about Lamborghini V10 engine. The 2008 Audi TT coupe and roadster convertible (MSRP $34,800 - $45,900) are perfect for those who value speed, luxurious comfort, and all-weather power in their vehicles.
Though not the most popular of the German import brands, Audi goes head-to-head with its counterparts churning out impeccable products of speed, total aesthetics and digital control - Audi's Multi-Media Interface was lauded as being light years ahead of BMW's iDrive. In the bigger picture, however, there are some areas where Audi trails a bit behind. When pitted against the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4 (also an AWD) has some stiff competition from BMW's more trendy convertible design. Also the 3 Series has been out in the market for thirty-plus years so BMW has had quite a head start tweaking and improving the products. While the BMW 3 Series has been dubbed the total package, Audi's A4 offers pretty much the same features as its counterpart and - barring the fact that AWD can be a bit of a gas guzzler regardless of the brand using it - is relatively lower-priced than the BMW 3 Series, which sells anywhere from $34,000 to $49,000.
The name "quattro" is associated with Audi's all-wheel-drive systems. Audi was catapulted to a more popular spot among its counterparts (BMW, Mercedes-Benz) in 1980 when it unveiled the Audi quattro - a turbocharged sports coupe, which used a technology only previously available in trucks and off-road vehicles. The quattro technology met with great praise and has since been a part of most of Audi's models. This automaker is also one of the few who opt to use aluminum space frame technology, resulting in an Audi vehicle weighing less than its steel-bodied competitors. This advantage plays a substantial role in boosting acceleration, better handling, and subduing vibrations and noises. Audi continues to push the limits of cutting edge technology, recently opting to use the Lamborghini Gallardo's V10 engine (both are owned by parent company Volkswagen Auto Group) in the Audi S8.
A look at Audi's reliability ratings [4] shows pretty good results for the 2004 models. The A4, A6, A8, S4 and TT models received great reliability ratings and had infrequent problems in the different reliability categories including engine, transmission and driveline, steering and suspension, brakes, heating and air conditioning, starting and charging, and accessories. And these Audis even showed improvements in areas with previously lower scores in earlier years.
Audis have been tested and proven to be safe, with standard safety features and equipment in every vehicle. For instance, the A4 and S4 sedans have received four stars (out of five) in frontal crash tests, while side-impact testing resulted in five stars for the front seat and four stars for the rear seat [5] from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with the Audi Q7 (with an optional lane assist feature that lets you know if you've left your lane) garnering five out of five stars in side and frontal crash tests.
Audi prices are comparable to its German counterparts, with product price ranges falling below BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and a bit higher than Volvo's. But Audis depreciate at a relatively greater rate than its competitors. Case in point: a 2006 Audi A4 1.8T convertible is now valued in the $32,000-range down from its original $37,340 MSRP, as opposed to a 2006 BMW 325Ci, which is now valued in the $37,000-range down from its original MSRP of $39,600.
As with other carmakers, Audi offers a wide range of options, with customization available, as well as special lease offers in selected areas. The 2008 Audi Q7, which proudly pronounces it has "no compromises," [6] has been known to outdistance the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz M Class with features like the Tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. And it is available in three trim levels: 3.6, 3.6 Premium, and 4.2 Premium. You'll have to make sure to sift through all the features they offer for the ones you want as they are grouped into different packages, though you can always ask for a quote if you want to customize.
Volkswagen purchased Audi in 1964, after a checkered history with a series of takeovers and reorganizations. [7] Its quattro all-wheel drive system paved the way for Audi's fame producing great all-wheel drive race cars. Though the quattro coupe, which introduced the technology no longer exists, the brand became associated with cutting edge technology and future advances in the car industry.
Upcoming Audi vehicles to watch for include the 2008 Audi TT-S, which is set to rival the Porsche Cayman S and BMW Z4 M coupe with an upped performance and revved up look, and the 2008 Audi S5 coupe, a high-performance model that features a 350-horsepower, V10 engine with interior upgrades and customizable trim.
Click here for more information on 2005 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 car prices, auto insurance, auto loans, car dealers, and car leases.
