Audi

Audi – German company specializing in car manufacturing. Makes a part of Volkswagen AG and headquartered in Ingolstadt.

Audi Company was established in 1909 by August Horch though its roots descend from currently non-existent Horch Company that used to be rather famous and conspicuous in the times of Third Reich. The Audi history started in essence after in 1899 August Horch, gifted inventor founded in Manheim the company named – “Horch and Co”. In four year the company moved to Zwickau.

In 1909 Horch being the main designer in the company constructed the first 6-cylinder engine model – the first in Audi history but occurred far from perfectness and put the company on the verge of bankruptcy. The situation exasperated Horch’s partners so that they insisted and hurried to expel Horch from the company that had been mainly established due to his efforts. Horch settled not far and set up new company with the same name.

This second enterprise was forging so well that Horch’s former partners decided to bring an action against new Horch Company in order to deprive it its name – “Horch”. The court decreed that new Horch could not bear this name more. But August Horch did not get confused at the court decision and renamed its company according to Latin variant of “horch” meaning – “audi” (“listen”).

Essentially this is way Audi history as a make and famous brand was commenced.
The first Audi model issued under name – Audi-A – appeared in 1910. This marked the fundamental point in Audi history. Next year was constructed Audi-B three of which Horch exposed for Auto Alpenwart Race 1911 of 2500 km length.

1912 marked in Audi history by the most famous Audi-C model that experienced serious examination in the conditions of Alpine races and reached respective results so that Audi-C model was subsequently called “Alpengizer” or “Alps Conqueror”.

The 1920s came very hard financially in Audi history and the company had to merge into another one in order to survive. That second company was DKW owned by Jorgen Skafte Rasmussen.

In 1932 economic crisis in Germany as world economic depression result urged an array of Germany car manufacturers to an “Auto Union” concern establishing. In fact, along with Wanderer and DKW it was joined by A. Horch competitors – Horch (the first). The concern owing to joint energies issued two models with front wheels drive line and Wanderer engines that gained constant market demand up to WW II.

After WW II Audi and other Auto Union members were nationalized and reformed into “Car Manufacturing Popular Enterprises Union” subdivision.
In 1949 The Auto Union was reformed due to Mercedes-Benz shares involvement. In 1950 Daimler-Benz concern purchased main Auto Union stock but sold it soon to Volkswagen launching new crucial turn in Audi history.

In 1965 when the deal was carried out Audi name became valid and applicable again. Soon after Audi issued new front-wheel drive model and up to 1969 its models line presented considerable variety allowing Audi to possess enviable sales volumes. Audi emblem – four circles – was preserved symbolizing the 1932 merging of four companies.

Audi 100 model appeared in 1968 as well as its successors Audi Quattro with all wheels driveline were conspicuous for sportive temper and drive for 4 wheels marking new milestone in Germany car industry. Essentially Audi Quattro model constructed in 1980 added intense push to automobile industry and brought worldwide renown to Audi, the Volkswagen concern subdivision. Audi Quattro in fact was light Gran Tourismo class car with outstanding stability suitable for rally. In rally Audi Quattro competitors could hardly be a match to the car and Quattro was participating exclusively successfully all rally races.

After in 1969 Volkswagen purchased Neckarsulmer Automobilwerke factory (NSU) and this fact affected Audi history as well. Thus Audi gained the name of Audi NSU Auto Union but 16 years after the company name was restored into Audi AG.

1970 year is notable In Audi history for launching scalable cars exporting to USA. First this concerned 90 Super model in sedan and estate versions added by new Audi 100. But since 1973 Audi put on export Audi 80 which unlike in European market had an estate modification. In fact, that model was an analogue of Volkswagen Passat Variant with extended comfort features package).

Later Audi models introduced to American market were imparted with special indices: Audi 4000 for 80 model, Audi 5000 for 100. But the recurring cases of manufacturer responsibility violation recurrence for its production in mid 80s led to Audi US export decrease.

In 1980 all wheels drive sportive coupe was drawing a great attention on Audi introduction stand at the Geneva International Auto Show. It was the first time when AWD attached high-powered car was offered in Quattro concept still used for lorries and off-roaders. In fact, the idea of such a car was born in winter 1976-77 during test runs of VW Iltis destined for Bundesver. Outstanding dirigibility of this car on icy and snowy roads generated the idea of applying the VW Iltis AWD system to serial Audi 80. As well the power encharged model with 2.2 200 h/p 5-cylinder turbo was developed.

In 1982 with Audi 80 quattro company history was marked by mass AWD manufacturing initiating. Gradually quattro concept was applied to other Audi series.

Basing on 80 model Audi constructed sportive Coupe introduced officially in 1993. The cabriole version of Coupe was created and debuted in 1991 at Geneva International Motor Show. In fact Audi 80 deserved to be a veteran in Audi history so was put off the production line in 2000.

In 1990 Audi presented new 100 (C4 factory index) attached the model with V6 2.8 cylinder engine enabling 174 h/p – the weight lightest and shortest in its class.

Audi A4 came as Audi 80 successor manufactured between 1986 and 1994. Audi A4 debuted in 1994; in 2001 gained estate body type – Avant as well as A4 Cabrio coupe-cabriole version.

The 1994 in Audi history was radiant for one more important and vivid model initiating. IN May of the same year debuted RS2 Avant with 2.2 liter 315 h/p injector-equipped turbo supercharged engine.

Next milestone in Audi history was connected with construction of Audi A3 based on VW Golf IV platform. The model serial manufacturing was commenced in 1997. In 1997 as well Audi also introduced Audi A6 sedan model in the frames of Geneva International Motor Show. Later in 1998 was constructed Audi A6 Avant estate body type. In 1997 summer all models based on C4 were put off as came new 4B-type platform and A6.

From the moment of unveiling Audi A2 concept in 1997 autumn to serial A2 manufacturing start in early 2000 passed over two years but this enabled Audi to create new family of car – European “B” size class.

1990s were marked in Audi history also by appearing an array of high powered sportive models.
First at 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show Audi demonstrated Audi S4/S4 Avante/RS4 – encharged sporty modification of A4 equipped with 2.7 V6 biturbo engine. In 1999 Audi showed off RS4 Avante modification with 2.7 V6 380 h/p features.
S6/S6 Avant sportive version appeared in 1996 autumn. While sporty Audi TT coupe came up at Geneva Motor Show 1998. In August, 1999 debuted Audi TT Roadster model which was first presented as prototype in 1995 at Frankfurt Motor Show.

The flagship among Audi sportive models – Audi S8 – extra powered 4.2 V8 and all wheels transmission came to auto stage in 1998.
Soon in 1999 was constructed Audi S3 featuring for 1.8 20 valves supercharged engine and AWD. Next, 2000 year Audi models history was marked by launching Audi Allroad model – off-roader based on A6 Avant platform.
Such an active models inventing and issuing by Audi proved company’s essential growth and thorough development.
Nowadays Audi is a component part of Volkswagen AG which experiencing serious raise which was enabled and provided by implementing new developments and technologies involvement.