Last updated on June 9th, 2021
Audi is a manufacturer of luxury car that has, for over a hundred years, been producing some of the most revolutionary and technically-advanced vehicles available on the market. The company is headquartered in Germany and have the responsibility to produce a range comprising 50 different car models to markets in the United Kingdom.
There is world-class quality and state-of-the-art technology in all Audi vehicles, including an impressive German manufactured engine. Audi is renowned for producing road cars and they also have a successful history of producing racing cars.
50 Interesting facts about Audi
1. August Horch, the founder of Audi, started working under the tutelage of Mercedes-Benz founder, Karl Benz as a young German engineer. Following a working relationship of three years, August Horch started his own venture.
2. In 1899, A. Horch and Cie, a highly successful, multi award-winning car manufacturing company, was founded by August Horch. However, in 1909, there was a disagreement with investors and Horch made the decision to start a new company. Thus, Audi came to be.
3. The name Audi resulted after legal issues forced Horch to drop ‘Horch’ from the name of a new company he created named August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH, after parting ways with A. Horch and Cie. Horch, when Latinize, means Audi and Audi in Latin means ‘to listen’ or ‘to hear.’
4. In 1932, the Horch and Audi brands reunited and joined forces with the companies Wanderer and DKW to form the Auto Union.
5. The four interwoven rings on the Audi logo are representative of the four companies that make up the Audi Company (Auto Union AG) – Audi, Horsch, DKW and Wanderer.
6. Audi has ties with Porsche, a fellow VW Group company, which was established in 1933, when Ferdinand Porsche assisted in building the Auto Union grand prix racers.
7. The Porsche 924 entry-level sports car which was launched in 1976 was equipped with the Audi 100’s fuel-injected VW 2.0-litre engine.
8. The Audi RS Model resulted from a collaboration with Porsche. The grille, brakes and tailgate of the model have the Porsche logo.
9. In 1960, the auto union was acquired by Volkswagen from Daimler-Benz’s and this was the turning point for Audi as well.
10. Following the Volkswagen acquisition, Audi began concentrating on research and was rebranded into the one that exists today.
11. Audi is listed among the pioneers of using aluminium in car manufacturing that quickly recognized the many benefits of this lighter metal.
12. The benefits of this metal include improved safety, driving dynamics and fuel efficiency.
13. The five-cylinder turbo engine of the Audi RS3 uses aluminium construction as opposed to cast iron; this makes the engine about 26 kilograms light.
14. The Audi R8 model also uses carbon fiber and aluminium materials, which assists in establishing the lower weight of the car.
15. In 1991, the company presented the Avus Quattro and the Quattro Spyder, which are two high-profile concept cars that are made from the more innovative material.
16. In 1994, the Audi A8 limo was launched with an all-aluminium body.
17. In the year 2000, Audi boldly introduced an aluminium city car which was dubbed the A2.
18. With the launch of the Type K in 1921, Audi was the first automaker in Germany to introduce the left-hand drive design and the second automaker in the world. This was viewed as being among the most technologically-advanced vehicles of its time.
19. In 1938, the company carried out the first crash test for their cars. Audi is noted as being the first company to conduct the crash test.
20. During the decade of the 1970s, the Audi 50 was introduced after a quest for small economy class. This car was actually the first entry from Germany into the expanding supermini class of small, affordable vehicles for comfortable and practical use in confined city spaces.
21. At that time, Audi was actually attempting to produce a car with affordability in mind. The company’s desire to become a luxury-oriented manufacturer was a part of a revolution that came later on.
22. The design of the Audi 50 was the brainchild of Claus Luthe, a renowned German engineer who played a role in the creation of classic BMW designs, the Volkswagen K70 and other models from Audi.
23. The Audi 50 introduced a remarkably extraordinary set of specifications for an economy car at that time, even though, by today’s standards a 50 to 60 HP does not seem impressive.
24. The car was admired for its smart fuel efficiency and sharp engineering.
25. The Audi 50 was available in LS and GL engine formats. The superior GL model was equipped with an additional 10 horsepower; this boosted it from 50 to 60. It also had a more sophisticated interior in comparison to the LS model.
26. Late in the 1970s, a decision was made by Audi executive to rebrand the Audi name. This resulted in their marketing goals being geared towards the higher-end luxury market and the creation of the sophisticated Audi brand that currently exists.
27. Ever since the 1970s, following decades of rear-wheel-drive vehicles like the Beetle and its spin-offs, Volkswagen was inspired by the front-drive lead from the Audi.
28. The 1973 VW Passat was the first key model.
29. The VW Golf, which is the most famous hatchback in the world, debuted in 1974.
30. In 1971, Audi introduced its legendary advertising slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik,” which means “progress through technology.”
31. In 1977, the Audi 100 was introduced as the very first production five-cylinder petrol engine in the world.
32. The Audi 100 was the biggest car developed by the company and there were three versions available.
33. In 1980, the Quattro system was introduced by Audi; this system is responsible for giving the company its competitive edge.
34. Audi later developed a motorsport edition of the 1980 Quattro which featured the same drive train mix of all-wheel drive and turbocharged five-cylinder engine.
35. On its rally debut in 1981, the Quattro caused quite a stir when it went pass a rear-wheel-drive Lancia Stratos at the 10-kilometer in spite of starting a full minute behind.
36. The Quattro from Audi went on to gain victories in the World Rally Championships for the following three years, with victories for the constructors in 1982 and 1984 and titles for the drivers in 1983 and 1984.
37. The TT RS, the fastest edition of the iconic sports car from the company, and the RS3 and RSQ3 are among the few available models that are still outfitted a five-cylinder engine.
38. The success of Audi in motorsport began with rallying; however, the company has had a story of incredible domination since its entry into the well-known Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race.
39. Audi stamped its mark Audi on motor racing and also gained great acclaim in the World Rally Championship.
40. Audi stopped international rally racing in 1986 following an accident that claimed the lives of three spectators, after the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove into the crowd.
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