Written by Audi AG
Audi AG is the German premium car maker behind the four rings, and it is best known for quattro all-wheel drive, the A4 and A6 and its 13 Le Mans wins. This guide covers the current Audi lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its racing history, now including Formula 1.
Audi AG at a Glance
Founded 1909–1910 Audi Automobilwerke registered in Zwickau in 1910
Founder August Horch Who had earlier founded Horch
Headquarters Ingolstadt Bavaria, Germany
Owner Volkswagen Group 100% since 2020
Sales 2025 1,623,551 cars Audi brand; revenue €65.5 billion
Leadership Gernot Döllner CEO since 2023
Audi AG Model Lineup
Audi AG sells a slightly different range in each region, so the list below shows its core models in 2026, grouped by type. Since 2024 the A5 has replaced the A4, and Audi has rebuilt most of its range with new gas, plug-in hybrid and electric models. In addition, fast RS versions are offered for many models, while the R8 sports car ended production in 2024.
Cars (3)
Compact car
Audi A3
Gas Hatchback & sedan
In North America, the A3 is Audi’s smallest car, so it is the entry point to the brand, and the fourth generation was updated in 2024. It is also sold as a Sportback hatchback and as a sedan.
Mid-size car
Audi A5
Gas Mild hybrid Plug-in hybrid
Since 2024 the A5 has taken over from the A4 as Audi’s mid-size car. It is also offered as an Avant wagon in Europe, while it is built in Neckarsulm.
Executive car
Audi A6
Gas Mild hybrid Plug-in hybrid
The new gas-powered A6 premiered in March 2025, so it now sits alongside the electric A6 e-tron. It is also sold as a sedan and as an Avant wagon.
SUVs (3)
Mid-size SUV
Audi Q5
Gas Mild hybrid Plug-in hybrid
The third-generation Q5 arrived in 2024, and it is also sold as a coupe-style Sportback. The Q5 has long been Audi’s best-seller, with 334,480 sold in 2023.
Large SUV
Audi Q7
Gas Plug-in hybrid 7 seats
The third-generation Q7 arrived in 2026, which makes it the first all-new Q7 in more than a decade. It offers up to seven seats.
Flagship SUV
Audi Q9
Gas V6 7 seats
The Q9 is Audi’s new full-size seven-seat SUV, and it was revealed in July 2026. It is also the largest and most luxurious SUV Audi has built, and deliveries begin in late 2026.
Electric (4)
Electric car
Audi A6 e-tron
Electric Sportback & Avant
The A6 e-tron is built on the PPE platform, which Audi developed together with Porsche. About 37,000 were delivered in 2025, and it is also sold as an Avant wagon.
Compact electric SUV
Audi Q4 e-tron
Electric Zwickau
The Q4 e-tron is Audi’s compact electric SUV, built in Zwickau since 2021. In addition, a reworked version arrives in 2026.
Electric SUV
Audi Q6 e-tron
Electric PPE platform
The Q6 e-tron is Audi’s best-selling electric car, with about 84,000 delivered in 2025. It is built in Ingolstadt, while it shares its platform with the Porsche Macan Electric.
Electric gran turismo
Audi e-tron GT
Electric All-wheel drive
The e-tron GT is Audi’s electric sports sedan, and it is closely related to the Porsche Taycan. It is built in Neckarsulm, while the RS e-tron GT is one of the most powerful Audis ever built.
What Is Audi AG?
Audi AG is a German maker of premium cars, headquartered in Ingolstadt and owned by the Volkswagen Group. Its story began when August Horch founded Horch in 1899. After he left that company, he started a new one in Zwickau, and because he could no longer use his own name, he called it Audi, the Latin word for “listen”, like “horch” in German.
Then in 1932 Audi joined Horch, DKW and Wanderer to form Auto Union, whose four rings stand for those four companies. After the Second World War, Auto Union was rebuilt in Ingolstadt, and then Volkswagen took it over in 1965 and revived the Audi name. Later, quattro all-wheel drive, aluminum bodies and diesel racing wins made Audi a leading premium brand.
Today Audi AG also manages Lamborghini, Bentley and Ducati motorcycles, as well as its own Formula 1 team. In 2025 it delivered 1,623,551 Audi cars, while US tariffs and tough competition in China have reduced its profits in 2026.
Audi AG History
Audi AG grew from August Horch’s second car company into one of the world’s leading premium brands, and it has changed names several times along the way.
- 1899 August Horch founds his first car company, Horch, in Cologne.
- 1910 After leaving Horch, he registers Audi Automobilwerke in Zwickau.
- 1932 Audi, Horch, DKW and Wanderer merge to form Auto Union, so the four rings are born.
- 1936 Bernd Rosemeyer wins the European Grand Prix title in an Auto Union Silver Arrow.
- 1949 Auto Union restarts in Ingolstadt, West Germany, after the war.
- 1965 Volkswagen takes over Auto Union and then revives the Audi name.
- 1968 The Audi 100 arrives and soon becomes a big success.
- 1969 A year later, Auto Union merges with NSU of Neckarsulm.
- 1980 The Quattro debuts at Geneva and brings all-wheel drive to fast road cars.
- 1985 The company is renamed Audi AG.
- 1994 The A8 introduces the aluminum Audi Space Frame, so the car is much lighter.
- 1998 The TT goes into production, while Audi buys Lamborghini.
- 2000 Audi wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time.
- 2006 The R10 TDI becomes the first diesel to win Le Mans.
- 2018 The e-tron SUV, Audi’s first fully electric production model, premieres.
- 2026 The Audi F1 team makes its debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March.
Iconic Audi Models
These six cars shaped the reputation of Audi AG, from the pre-war Silver Arrows to the first Audi supercar.
1936–1937
Auto Union Type C
Grand Prix car V16
The Type C had a supercharged 6.0-liter V16, which was mounted behind the driver. In 1936 Bernd Rosemeyer drove it to the European championship, the team’s only drivers’ title.
1968–1994
Audi 100
Sedan Aerodynamics
Because it sold so well, the Audi 100 secured the brand’s future, and its third generation had a very low drag coefficient of 0.30. In 1990 it also introduced Audi’s first TDI diesel engine.
1980–1991
Audi Quattro
All-wheel drive Turbo
The Quattro was the first German high-volume car with permanent all-wheel drive, so it was a big step forward. As a result, it changed rallying, and 11,452 were built in Ingolstadt.
1994–2002
Audi A8 (first generation)
Aluminum body Luxury sedan
When it arrived, the first A8 was the first car with the Audi Space Frame, an aluminum body that saved weight. It also put Audi on equal terms with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
1998–2006
Audi TT (first generation)
Coupe Design icon
The TT was named after the Isle of Man TT races, because NSU once competed there. Its round, simple Bauhaus-style design made it one of the most recognized cars of its time.
2006–2024
Audi R8
Mid-engine V10
The R8 was Audi’s first mid-engine supercar, and it was also the first car with headlights using only LEDs. Production ended in early 2024.
Who Owns Audi AG?
Audi AG is wholly owned by the Volkswagen Group, which bought the last outside shares in 2020. However, Audi also leads its own group of premium brands, so it manages Lamborghini, Bentley and Ducati. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Parent company Volkswagen Group Wolfsburg, Germany · 100% owner
This page Audi AG Ingolstadt, Germany · Audi and AUDI brands
100% Lamborghini Italian supercar maker, bought in 1998
Managed Bentley British luxury brand, under Audi since 2022
100% Ducati Italian motorcycle maker, bought in 2012
100% Audi F1 team Former Sauber team, racing as Audi since 2026
Sister brands and partners
Audi also shares platforms and engines with other Volkswagen Group brands, especially Porsche.
- Porsche (PPE electric platform, shared with the Macan Electric)
- Volkswagen (parent company)
- FAW and SAIC (joint ventures that build Audis in China)
- AUDI (China-only electric brand with SAIC, launched in 2025)
In addition, Audi closed its Brussels plant in February 2025 after building the Q8 e-tron there, and plans for a US plant have been on hold since January 2026 because of tariffs.
Former brands
- Horch (founded 1899) August Horch’s first company, later a luxury brand within Auto Union.
- DKW (founded 1916) A maker of two-stroke motorcycles and small cars within Auto Union.
- Wanderer (joined Auto Union in 1932) The fourth ring of Auto Union, which built mid-size cars.
- NSU (merged 1969) The Neckarsulm maker of the Ro 80, whose plant still builds Audis.
Audi AG Accomplishments
The record of Audi AG rests on quattro all-wheel drive, lightweight technology and one of the most successful racing programs of recent decades.
1,623,551
Cars delivered in 2025
The Audi brand also delivered 223,032 fully electric cars, up 36%.
13
Le Mans wins
Between 2000 and 2014, Audi won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 13 times in 16 starts, so it rarely lost.
2006
First diesel Le Mans win
The R10 TDI became the first diesel-powered car to win Le Mans, and then the R18 e-tron quattro gave Audi the first hybrid win in 2012.
2
WRC manufacturers’ titles
The Quattro won the World Rally Championship in 1982 and 1984, while Michele Mouton became the first woman to win a world rally in 1981.
2024
Dakar Rally win
Finally, Carlos Sainz won in the RS Q e-tron, the first car with electric drive to win the Dakar.
12
DTM drivers’ titles
In addition, Audi drivers won Germany’s top touring car series 12 times between 1990 and 2020.
1994
Aluminum car body
Later, the A8 became the first car with the Audi Space Frame, which made aluminum bodies practical in large numbers.
1980
quattro all-wheel drive
The Quattro brought permanent all-wheel drive to a high-volume road car, and it is now offered across the range.
Audi Racing History
Audi AG has raced since the Auto Union Silver Arrows of the 1930s. Its greatest modern success came at the Circuit de la Sarthe, home of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while it also won many DTM titles at tracks such as the Hockenheimring. In addition, Audi has raced in Formula E, and since 2026 it has run its own Formula 1 team.
24 Hours of Le Mans, 2000–2014
Audi at Le Mans
13 wins Diesel and hybrid
In total, Audi won Le Mans 13 times with the R8, R10 TDI, R15 TDI plus and R18. Its diesel and hybrid cars were the first of their kind to win the race, before Audi left endurance racing after 2016.
World Rally Championship
Quattro in rallying
1982 and 1984 titles Group B
The Quattro changed rallying with all-wheel drive, so Audi won the manufacturers’ title in 1982 and 1984. Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist also won drivers’ titles, while the Sport quattro won Pikes Peak.
Rally raid, 2022–2024
RS Q e-tron at the Dakar
2024 win Electric drive
The RS Q e-tron used electric motors, while a gas engine acted as a generator. Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz won the 2024 Dakar Rally with it, which made it the first car with electric drive to win.
Formula 1, 2026–today
Audi in Formula 1
Works team Former Sauber
After buying the Sauber team, Audi entered Formula 1 in 2026 with its own power unit. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto drive for it, and they had scored 17 points after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September 2026.
Talk Audi With Other Owners
Audi owners have plenty to share, whether it is a classic Quattro or a new Q6 e-tron. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to an Audi community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- quattro and RS models
- Electric Audi ownership
- Maintenance and repairs
- Classic Audi and Quattro
- Tuning and coding
- Buying used
- Audi clubs and events
- Formula 1 and motorsport
Audi AG FAQ
What does Audi mean?
Audi is Latin for “listen”. August Horch could not use his own name for his second company, so he chose the Latin version of “horch”, which means “listen” in German.
Who owns Audi AG?
Audi AG is wholly owned by the Volkswagen Group. In turn, Audi manages Lamborghini, Bentley and Ducati within Volkswagen’s premium brand group.
What do the four rings mean?
The four rings stand for Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer, the four German companies that merged to form Auto Union in 1932.
Where are Audis made?
Audis are built mainly in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Zwickau in Germany, as well as in Győr, Hungary, in Mexico and in China with joint-venture partners FAW and SAIC.
What is the best-selling Audi?
The Q5 has long been the best-selling Audi, with 334,480 sold in 2023. Among electric models, the Q6 e-tron led in 2025 with about 84,000 deliveries.
Is Audi in Formula 1?
Yes. Audi AG bought the Sauber team and has raced in Formula 1 as a works team since 2026, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto as drivers.
How many times has Audi won Le Mans?
Audi has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 13 times, between 2000 and 2014. Only Porsche has won the race more often.
What happened to the Audi A4?
From 2024 the A4 was replaced by the new A5 sedan and Avant, because Audi first planned to give electric models even numbers. However, Audi later dropped that plan, while keeping the A5 name.
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Compare Audi AG with its sister brands and its biggest rivals.
Photo credits
- Header image: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Audi A3 (8Y facelift) in Stuttgart: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi A5 (B10) sedan in Stuttgart: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi A6 (C9) sedan in Stuttgart: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi Q4 e-tron electric SUV: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Third-generation Audi Q5 (GU) in Stuttgart: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi Q6 e-tron electric SUV: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Third-generation Audi Q7 SUV: https://www.youtube.com/@barturban, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2026 Audi Q9 seven-seat SUV: Autowizja, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi e-tron GT electric gran turismo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Auto Union Type C Grand Prix car…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1992 Audi 100 2.8 quattro sedan: OSX, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- 1985 Audi Quattro coupe: Calreyn88, CC0, cropped and resized.
- First-generation Audi TT coupe from 1999: Øyvind Vik, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- First-generation Audi A8 (D2) with aluminum body: Jengtingchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2010 Audi R8 Spyder V10: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi R10 TDI diesel Le Mans winner…: Joachim Köhler, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi Sport quattro S1 and Rallye quattro…: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi RS Q e-tron Dakar Rally car: Grunty89, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Nico Hulkenberg in the Audi R26 at…: Liauzh, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Audi A6 Sportback e-tron performance in Daytona…: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.