History of Audi

The modern history of the Audi company began long before its formation as a separate manufacturer within the Volkswagen group. In 1934, it was part of the Auto Union, an alliance of four well-known German brands, where it was initially engaged in the development of individual models under its own brand, and later as a technology supplier for cars under the same brand.

When in 1945 all Auto Union factories were either destroyed as a result of hostilities or dismantled and taken out of the country. In 1940, the company managed to change its place of residence, settling in Bavaria. This is where the revival of Audi began after the end of the Second World War.

In 1949, the first post-war trucks and motorcycles under the Auto Union brand were produced, the production of which fell entirely on the shoulders of Audi. However, in 1950, the company’s first post-war passenger car, the F89 P Master Class, appeared. The economic situation of Audi gradually worsened due to the growth in sales of Volkswagen and Daimler cars. So in 1958, Daimler-Benz bought a controlling stake in Auto Union, and a year later, Audi became a full-fledged subsidiary of Daimler Corporation.

By 1964, Audi was only losing money to its parent company, and there was little hope of a fix. Having put it up for sale, Daimler was sure that the eminent manufacturer was living out its last years. However, the company was completely bought out by Volkswagen, whose management decided to increase the brand’s image and recognition by releasing all new models under the Audi brand.

The first car produced at the Audi factories after the change of ownership was the Volkswagen Beetle, and at that time, in secret from everyone, the company’s chief designer was already working on creating his own car, which was to become the company’s new model for many years. So in 1968, the Audi 100, a middle-class model, saw the light of day. In 1969, Audi underwent a restructuring procedure, becoming a full-fledged independent brand. And in 1972, the company was headed by Ferdinand Piech, whose leadership period became the Golden Age for this brand. A turbocharger, Quattro all-wheel drive system were patented. In addition, Audi began to take part in the World Rally Championship, where 23 significant victories were won. In parallel with the sports program, the company is developing new technological solutions that could be used in the production of serial cars.

In 1993, Audi Gmbh acquired the British sports engine manufacturer Kossworth, as well as the Italian sports car designer Lamborghini and the Spanish firm Seat.

2003 saw the launch of the A3 and three completely innovative concepts, the Pikes Peak, Nuvolari and Le Mans, presented between January and September.

On September 12, 2005, Audi introduced its new brainchild – the Audi Q7 hybrid SUV. The uniqueness of this car lies in the fact that it is equipped with two high-tech engines. In 2005, the A8 model also enters the arena. The car engine is gasoline. The model is equipped with an automatic transmission, front-wheel drive.

In 2008, the company is actively releasing the Q7 model, an SUV with all-wheel drive on diesel fuel. The engine capacity of this model is 4.2 liters.

In 2009, the A4 allroad quattro premiered in Geneva, bringing together the very best of the A4 range. In the same year, manufacturers released the A5 Cabriolet, a four-seater with a fabric top. This year was also marked by the release of the A5 Sportback. This car combines the expressive dynamics of a coupe, the comfort of a traditional sedan and the impressive spaciousness of a station wagon. The A8 combines two important qualities for a car: dynamism and style.

In 2010, the Audi A7 Sportback premiered in Munich. The long bonnet, short front overhang, long wheelbase, sporty sloping C-pillars and the sharply sloping contours of the rear of the car give this model elegance and dynamism. This year was the first for the release of the R8 GT model. It is a two-door G2 class sports car.

In 2011, the company introduced the RS3 Sportback to the public. Its 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine develops 340 hp.

In 2012, the Audi RS4 Avant saw the light of day – an all-wheel drive station wagon of class “D”. The car can reach speeds up to 250 km / h. There is only one gearbox – a 7-speed robotic S tronic. RS4.

2013 was marked by the release of the RS7 Sportback. It is an all-wheel drive liftback class “E”. Under the hood of the Audi RS7 Sportback is a 4-liter V8 petrol with two turbochargers. This unit produces 560 hp. With. power.

In March 2014, the Audi S1 ​​made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show – this is a sports version of the B-class hatchback. Under the hood is a 2-liter turbocharged TFSI with a capacity of 231 hp. At the same time, the premiere of the S1 Sportback model took place. This car is powered by a 2-liter gasoline engine that produces 231 hp. With. power.

In June 2015, the premiere of the Audi A4 Avant, a class D station wagon with front or all-wheel drive, took place in Berlin. The power range is extensive – from 150 to 272 liters. With. It made its debut in January of this year at the Detroit Auto Show and the Audi Q7 is an SUV of the K2 class. The petrol engine accelerates it from zero to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.

Throughout its eventful history, the German company has achieved many awards and victories, conquered the World Rally Championship, the sports prototype championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most prestigious endurance race.

Unlike all other brands of the Volkswagen Group, Audi does not use the technology of the parent company, but, on the contrary, supplies it with its own. The company’s engineers produce and develop multi-platforms, on which almost all modern cars of the German giant are built, but few people know that Audi is not limited to mass-produced cars. Modern Audi produces a wide variety of car models, from urban hatchbacks to luxury luxury sedans and sports cars of its own design.