What Model Audi's Are Made in the Us

American motorists shopping for a German machine gained an boosted option in 1970: Audi.

It wasn't a first-up; the business firm'south history is a latticework of mergers and take-overs that began in 1910. Some of its predecessors (notably Auto Union-owned DKW) briefly sold cars on our shores, but they never managed to merge into the mainstream. Audi every bit we know it appeared in the United states 50 years ago, and its beginnings were markedly humble. Its success was far from guaranteed, especially in the difficult context of the 1970s.

Information technology was positioned, as Peugeot would later put information technology, "betwixt the Bugs and the Benz." Its line-up included two models called Super ninety and 100 LS, respectively, and it managed to sell just seven,961 cars in 1970. This was not a glittering result; MG -- which exclusively sold tiny roadsters -- outsold it by nearly 22,000 units. And however, half a century later, Audi stands proud as a major actor in the luxury machine segment that recorded 224,111 sales in the U.s.a. in 2019. It built its success on innovation and, more recently, design. We're celebrating the 50th ceremony of Audi's American partitioning by looking at some of the cars that deserve credit for its success.

100 LS (1968)

While the Super 90 was essentially a iv-stroke evolution of the DKW F102, the 100 LS was an entirely new model adult secretly and launched in Frg in 1968. Sales in the United states of america started two years later. The range originally included two- and four-door sedans both equipped with the same 115-horsepower, 1.eight-liter four-cylinder engine. It spun the front wheels via a fully-synchronized four-speed transmission transmission.

Audi charged $3,695 for the two-door variant of the 100 LS, a sum that represents $24,580 in 2020. It was markedly more expensive than the Super 90 all the same it represented a vast bulk of the company's sales in 1970; 6,557 units were sold that year. That effigy swelled to 18,179 in 1971 cheers in role to the addition of an optional 3-speed automatic manual. Many motorists got their first impression of an Audi in a 100 LS.

Fox (1973)

Known every bit the 80 in Europe, the Fox is the unsung hero that carried Audi through the 1970s. Information technology fabricated its American debut for the 1973 model year as a replacement for the Super 90, the firm'southward entry-level model -- it's on the same branch of the family tree as the modern-day A3. The Trick's 75-horsepower, ane.5-liter 4-cylinder engine gave information technology a 100-mph top speed and a nil-to-60-mph fourth dimension of 12.7 seconds, statistics that were respectable for the era and the segment. It was outsold by the 100 in 1973 just several factors reversed the situation the following twelvemonth.

Audi fabricated the four-door 100 more expensive halfway through 1973, a move that increased the Fob's appeal. And, the model directly benefited from the 1973 oil crisis, which sent motorists flocking towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. The Flim-flam became Audi's best-seller in 1974 and it remained in the top spot through 1977. Almost 150,000 units were sold in the United States, yet it's one of Audi's almost obscure vintage models in 2020.

5000 (1978)

Audi launched the 5000 during the 1978 model yr to supersede the 100 LS. It arrived as a large, stately sedan that showed motorists the brand's more than upmarket side. It was the first in a long, on-going line of Audi models equipped with a five-cylinder engine and information technology came standard with a generous list of features including cruise control, tinted windows and trunk carpeting (don't laugh; it was a big deal at the time). In full, 20,761 buyers took home a 5000 in 1978, a number that increased to 28,276 in 1979, when the ameliorate-equipped 5000S was released.

The 5000 successfully moved Audi up the automotive manufacture'south echelons during the 1980s and information technology laid the groundwork subsequently flagship sedans (similar the original A8) were congenital on. Its replacement, the 2d-generation 5000 made its debut in 1984 with a sleeker design and an available wagon variant. The nameplate was later tainted past claims of unintended acceleration that nearly torpedoed Audi's American segmentation. In 1989, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fully (and quietly) vindicated Audi after a long investigation.

Quattro (1983)

Audi'southward American sectionalization launched the rally-bred Quattro in 1982 every bit a 1983 model. It was based on the Coupe, which in turn was an development of the 4000, but the similarities were only skin-deep. It received meliorate brakes and an independent rear intermission to allow drivers who wanted to channel their inner Michèle Mouton make the almost of the turbocharged, 2.i-liter five-cylinder engine rated at 160 horsepower. Although the Coupe was offered with an optional three-speed automatic transmission, the Quattro was only equipped with a five-speed manual.

Pricing started at $35,000 in 1983, a sum that represents about $90,000 in 2020. That figure fabricated it about equally expensive equally a Porsche 911 SC Cabriolet. Audi envisioned the Quattro as a depression-volume halo model, and it remained that way during its entire product run. In 2020, it's 1 of the firm'due south most sought-after classics.

A4 (start generation, 1996)

The first-generation A4 cemented Audi's reputation as a luxury automaker in the Us. It made its debut for the 1996 model twelvemonth as a replacement for the 90. Front-wheel drive came standard, just most buyers went with optional Quattro all-wheel drive (10,027 of the 15,288 A4s sold in 1996 had it). The just engine initially bachelor was a ii.8-liter V6 that made 172 horsepower and 184 pound-anxiety of torque, though a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder joined the range in 1997 as a base engine.

Buyers lusted later on the original A4'southward crisp, clean lines and its sharp handling. It apace became Audi'due south all-time-selling model in the United States; annual sales more than doubled between the 1997 and 2000 model years. Expanding the range with a station carriage called Avant and a 250-horsepower variant named S4 increased its appeal.

In 2020, the A4 remains the core of the Audi range. Information technology will enter the 2021 model twelvemonth with significant updates including more than ability, a 12-volt mild-hybrid arrangement, and, fittingly, standard Quattro all-wheel drive.

TT (starting time generation, 2000)

Introduced in Deutschland in 1998, the original TT was a design masterpiece that brought concept car styling to the exhibit flooring at a price many enthusiasts could afford. Audi resisted the urge to launch a high-end supercar with a six-digit toll tag. Instead, it kept evolution costs in check by building the TT on the same basic VW Group platform equally the Audi A3 and VW's Golf, Jetta and New Beetle. Information technology defenseless its German and Japanese rivals completely off-baby-sit.

Sales on the American market started during the 2000 model year. At launch, the TT was only offered as a coupe powered by a ane.8-liter four-cylinder engine tuned to 180 horsepower. Model year 2001 brought a convertible (which could be optionally ordered with gorgeous baseball glove-like stitching on the seats) and a 225-horsepower model equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive. Audi made a six-cylinder engine bachelor later in the product run.

In 2020, the TT is well into its third generation and has remained truthful to its roots.

Allroad (first generation, 2001)

Audi decided non to follow Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus into the burgeoning luxury SUV segment. It instead added a taller, more audacious-looking version of the A6 Avant named Allroad to its American line-up for the 2001 model year. The wagon gained a top-adjustable suspension that immune owners to punch in more ground clearance when needed, and it came with a twin-turbocharged, ii.7-liter V6 rated at 250 horsepower. Quattro came standard; how could it not in a wagon like this? All told, the Allroad was reasonably capable off the beaten path only it remained enjoyable to drive on the pavement (and less truck-like than SUVs in its price range).

America's waning dear affair with station wagons convinced Audi to enter the SUV segment with the original Q7 introduced for the 2007 model twelvemonth. It put the American-spec variant of the Allroad on the back burner every bit information technology expanded its line-up of crossovers and SUVs, and although an A4-based Allroad is now in its 2nd generation after returning for 2013, the A6-based Allroad has made a comeback in the The states for 2020.

R8 (first generation, 2008)

Audi bridged the gap between its Le Mans-winning prototypes and its street-legal cars when it launched the get-go-generation R8, its first series-produced mid-engined model, in 2006. Information technology shared some components with the Gallardo simply it was more merely a re-skinned Lamborghini. It was notably congenital effectually a space frame made with aluminum and magnesium to keep weight in check, and it went on auction with a straight-injected V8 engine roaring a couple of inches away behind the commuter'due south ears. Quattro over again came standard, and enthusiasts could ask Audi to bolt the V8 to a six-speed transmission manual with a gated shifter. They were improve for information technology as the single-clutch automated manual wasn't the smoothest operator.

Audi announced the availability of a naturally-aspirated, 5.two-liter V10 in 2008 and it unveiled the driblet-top Spyder at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show. In 2020, the R8 is in its second generation. It's exclusively offered with a V10 engine, and it's no longer bachelor with a stick, but Audi briefly offered a rear-wheel drive model named RWS.

A7 (first generation, 2012)

The stylish Sportback Concept unveiled in 2009 morphed into the beginning-generation A7 introduced in 2010 equally a 2012 model. Audi stylists drew inspiration from the 100-based Coupe Due south that wasn't sold in the United states to give the sedan a fast-sloping roof line. Its proportions were spot-on; Autoblog called information technology Audi's design leader when we drove it for the first time in 2010. And, as nosotros predicted, it proved that the long-continuing belief that Americans don't buy hatchback is false. It's the dinky ones with an ungainly silhouette that we're not hugely interested in.

Besides paving the way for an A5 Sportback and second-generation A7, the get-go-generation would influence the entire automotive industry as even mass-market sedans like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata would eventually mimic its roof line, if not the hatchback trunk.

RS6 Avant (quaternary generation, 2020)

Audi entered the hot-rodded station railroad vehicle segment in 1994 with a piffling bit of help from Porsche. The 80-based RS2 Avant introduced at the previous twelvemonth'south Frankfurt car prove wasn't the first wagon with the heart of a supercar, but it completely redefined the segment and lured other carmakers into information technology. Enthusiasts in the United States had to adore it from beyond the swimming; information technology was never sold here. The first three generations of the RS6 Avant were forbidden fruits, too, but that changed for 2020 when the fourth-generation model (pictured) made its debut.

Information technology was worth the wait. It shares its front end end with the 2d-generation RS7 Sportback, it packs a four.0-liter V8 twin-turbocharged to 591 horsepower, and information technology was developed with the American market in mind from the beginning. Quattro comes standard, and it tin can send up to 85% of the engine'south power to the rear wheels when needed. Sales began during the 2020 model yr. Audi marketing dominate Hildegard Wortmann told Autoblog response to the model has been extraordinary, which isn't surprising considering how long some take been waiting for it.

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What Model Audi's Are Made in the Us

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