With sales panning over one hundred years of history Audi is a name to be proud of. Even the vintage models of years gone by strongly reflect the high standards in technology and design. Audi dealerships continue to relish in this reputation today and live up to the premium billing of Vorsprung durch Technik. This article takes a look at some of the models through history and why they have all contributed to creating the irreplaceable brand that it is today. Leading industrialist Friedrich Karl Flick made history in 1964 when he instigated that Volkswagenwerk AG acquired a majority stake in Auto Union GmbH. As a result the company became a fully-owned VW subsidiary two years later. A further three years later, Auto Union GmbH merged with NSU AG Neckarsulm and shortly the best-selling Audi 100 model was unveiled. By 1971 the legendary slogan Vorsprung durch Technik hit the advertising boards and it has not stopped running since, forty years later. One of the classic automobiles from the early days is the Audi 80. After much anticipation, the car eventually arrived in Audi dealerships in 1972. The Audi 80 GT and Audi 80 GTE both sported circular double headlights instead of the large single headlights. After an inspiring facelift in 1976, the design bore a stronger resemblance to the Audi 100, powered by the same engines used for the Type 80, but with outputs ranging from 40.5 kW (55 bhp) to 81 kW (110 bhp). Delighting customers in a range of styles, the Audi 80 was sold as a two-door and four-door salon and a coupe. The latter was the last to be released into the market, when in 1988, the sporty model became a favourite of Audi dealers. A few years on, another revolution began in the car industry when Audi released what became the first series-production vehicle to feature permanent four-wheel drive in 1980. The Audi Quattro, also known as the Urquattro (original quattro) was to continue in production for a full ten years, after its popularity became apparent, both on the road and on the race track. Again, the Quattro came in a number of styles, from the first series, to the sport Quattro (featuring a 2.1 litre engine and 306 bhp) to the big daddy, the sport Quattro S1, the definitive rally car. Throughout the following thirty years Audi never failed to delight their customers with their unique manufacturing styles, from the Audi A2, to the Audi A4 to the Audi A8 at the start of the twenty first century. The latter luxury saloon was marketed as the first series-production luxury saloon with a full aluminium body, developed to reduce weight and therefore fuel consumption. With an aluminium body, corrosion was also no longer a problem. Variants included the saloon, a long- wheelbase version, the Quattro (sporty model) and the A8 Security, (the pinnacle of power as the official state car and Federal Chancellor's car). With so many models to be proud of, Audi's four rings have become part of history as we know it. Regarded as one of the most prestigious automobile manufacturers in the world, Audi Dealerships have not had to struggle over the years to round up their customers; the brand alone sells itself.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
