Audi Moves To Number One Premium 4WD Carmaker

Audi is the only "premium" AWD carmaker. So of course they are #1.

But an argument can be made weather or not Audi is a Premium brand. Just because the cars are premium prices doesn't make them premium vehicles. The A3 isn't any more "premium" than a VW Golf. The A4 is one of the lowest ranked premium sedans among its competition. I'm sorry but there are some Audis that wouldn't look out of place at a Volvo dealership.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 5:26:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

and here i am being the devil's advocate again...

audi's awd isn't necessary unique or awesome in any sense of the word. audi doesn't showcase its awd applications in any of the racing arenas (no wrc, transsyberian rally or even nurburgring) to make audi's system special. audi uses torsen and haldex awd systems. audi's original diff-lock quattro system died more than 20 years ago when audi started using torsen's system. nowadays, even hyundai can license haldex awd systems for their vehicles.

i think people give them too much credit for being a german carmaker that focuses on awd for performance only because they refuse to make RWD sports cars, even though sports cars like nissan gt-r (uses attesa) and mitsubishi lancer evo (uses AYC) outperform audi on the tracks.

— validus00 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 5:41:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Never heard of this award.

"Believe it or not, it is not an off-road vehicle manufacturer which received the title of the world's leader in the 4WD premium segment."

Believe it or not, real off-road vehicle manufacturers don't give a rats ass about luxury or comfort.

I'd love to see the Q5's AWD go up against a Jeep YJ's real 4WD system.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 6:42:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

I agree with lexsucks, are there any other premium awd manufacturers? And as for offroading, the torsen system blows, hell look at how easily rally cars using it are screwed if they crash with one wheel in the air.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 6:55:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

All the haters rise from their coffins. How is Audi not a premium carmaker fool? Priced an A8 or R8 lately?

— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 10:12:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

What about Lamborghini?? They are AWD, nnd they are great!

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 11:32:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Lame, i would like to see one day go by without a stupid article about Audi being posted on this site.

In other news BMW is the top premium RWD manufacturer, wait..they are also the top premium car manufacturer overall, period.

— carcar3334 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 12:14:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

Haters will hate.
Audi is taking over!
I've owned a 06 BMW 3 series, currently own 2010 MBZ GLK350 and 09 Audi A4....and the Audi is by far the best car I've ever owned.

— BobbyJ (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 12:29:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

The people on this site are ridiculous. I don't even like most of Audi's line-up, but they are most-assuredly a premium brand. Just because you don't like them threatening the sales of Mercedes and BMW doesn't mean you get to decide whether or not they are a premium brand. And for that matter, both Mercedes and BMW also have cars that would "look right at home at a Volvo dealership." (Hell, BMW's interiors would look at home at a Honda dealership.)

Regardless of what you think you know about Audi's cheaper offerings, clearly you've never driven the A5, the A6, the A8, or the R8, all of which I would currently choose over their BMW equivalents.

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 1:09:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

While Audi came out first with Quattro, the 4matic and X-drive are equally as deserving for this status. One reason why. No one who buys an Audi, BMW or Mercedes really uses them for off-roading. City commuting for soccer moms and people who like to be sitting high on the road. The G Wagon is a fully capable SUV that can tackle some rough terrain. For Audi they would have to drop down to economy to use a finely put together (and luxurious) Touraeg.

That is also why their cars are so heavy. That darn quattro system.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 10:56:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Pretty much every Audi comes with Quattro, they will soon be like Subaru where every car and every model only come AWD.

Audi is the luxury Subaru more than the luxury VW.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 12:41:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Audi's AWD system doesn't even utilize Torque vectoring, or active yaw control. Anyone who says that Audi's AWD system is the best is completely clueless. Fanboys are ruining the internet with their lies.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 2:02:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

So is Quattro doomed to be the next Vtec. Oh wait, fanboys call it VTEK, LOL!

"My Vtec kicked in" is now "My Quattros kicked in"
"Listen to my Vtecs Yo" is now "Watch my Quattros boi!"

oh man I gave myself a good laugh on that one.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 4:02:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

1dott8,
How well does Range Rover sell? Maybe if people wanted a Luxury offroader, they wouldn't have been bought and sold and nearly disappeared so many times.

Range Rover reliability is hardly anything to brag about. May be nice to own but it'd probably break quite easily once it leaves the safety of paved roads.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 7:13:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1