Audi Retakes Crown As Market Leader For All-Wheel Drive in the Premium Segment

One in three Audi models is fitted with quattro four-wheel drive: in 2006 Audi recorded an all-time highest quattro installation rate of 33.1 percent. Having produced a total of 306,318 quattro vehicles in 2006 (2005: 219,288), the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer has now risen to become the market leader for four-wheel drive in the premium segment. According to Audi boss Rupert Stadler: “quattro means more than traction – the word represents emotion, driving safety and performance, it stands for engineering competence and a dynamic spirit. Over 2.3 million quattro models have rolled off the production line at Audi so far – a figure that speaks for itself.”

The launch of the new Audi Q7 played a major role in the rise in the proportion of quattro models by six percentage points compared to the previous year. In total 72,188 of the sports utility vehicles, which are 100-percent four-wheel drive, were produced in 2006. Production of the RS 4 model family was also well up on the previous year at 7,639 units (2005: 569).

“Audi equips a greater proportion of its vehicles with four-wheel drive than any other manufacturer”, said Ralph Weyler, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales. “That is especially true of our saloons and Avant models. We have the unique selling proposition that all of the models in our current range are available with four-wheel drive.”

mitchatlexusofmarin - 2/5/2007 11:42:31 AM

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“Audi equips a greater proportion of its vehicles with four-wheel drive than any other manufacturer”, said Ralph Weyler

That's funny- Subaru claims 100%. Isn't that more than 33%?

AlexTx - 2/5/2007 11:55:18 AM

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I'm sure he is talking about the Luxury segment.

IamEvilHomer - 2/5/2007 12:04:25 PM

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subaru? come on

BMWRocks - 2/5/2007 12:33:06 PM

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This article is talking about Premium Segment

chewy - 2/5/2007 1:23:18 PM

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Great news, I also found this interesting.

Production of the RS 4 model family was also well up on the previous year at 7,639 units (2005: 569).

MercBasher - 2/5/2007 1:29:13 PM

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Congratulations Audi on adding more weight and reducing fuel consumption on a higher percentage of your vehicles than BMW, Mercedes etc.

PlanoA4 - 2/5/2007 1:50:16 PM

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And more safety and control too, you forgot that one...

530N52 - 2/5/2007 1:58:26 PM

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Both BMW and MB are increasing AWD offerings and sales. In this one area they are following Audi. BMW 530xi AWD adds 177lbs and has 1 less mile per gallon. If you want AWD, it's worth it.

AlexTx - 2/5/2007 2:04:26 PM

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It's funny....the A4 2.0T even with Quattro still has better fuel economy than the car in its class.

Larry - 2/5/2007 3:21:54 PM

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I did not know that 2/3 of all Audi cars are front wheel drive, that is another gripe I have about Audi front wheel drive ???, a front wheel drive, VW engine, VW platforms. Cadillac, Acura,Infinti, Lexus - rear drive or all wheel drive. Audi the best of the front wheel drive luxury cars.

Bill - 2/5/2007 3:33:44 PM

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Acura has a ton of FWD luxury cars. TL and TSX ring a bell?

AlexTx - 2/5/2007 3:37:50 PM

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Lexus ES is FWD....

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2007 6:52:26 PM

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Infiniti I was FWD...

The low-end Acuras have always been FWD...

Cadillac's DTS has FWD...

Lexus ES...

I could go on.

Seriously, what's wrong with FWD? There's nothing "inferior" about it. RWD provides better handling, FWD provides better traction.

EvoAudi - 2/5/2007 8:03:13 PM

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NSX

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2007 6:56:24 PM

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"Only a 3rd of Audi's entire line-up is AWD? I was under the impression the ratio was much higher! What are the other models?"

Will, I couldn't reply to this comment because the "show comment" button wasn't working as usual.

No, only a third of them are SOLD with FWD. In America, it's about 70/30 AWD bias in the model range. That's not the proportion of AWD cars SOLD here- just the ones that are on sale.

FWD Audis:

A3 2.0T
A4 2.0T sedan
A4 3.2 sedan
A6 3.2 sedan
New TT 2.0T

quattro-equipped models:

A4 2.0T sedan (optional)
A4 2.0T Avant
A4 3.2 sedan (optional)
A4 3.2 Avant
S4 sedan
S4 Avant
S4 Cabriolet
RS4
A6 3.2 sedan (optional)
A6 3.2 Avant
A6 4.2
A8
A8L
W12
New TT 3.2
Q7 3.6
Q7 4.2

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2007 6:56:45 PM

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Oh, and S6 and S8.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2007 6:58:03 PM

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Aargh, I forgot the A4 Cabriolet.

FWD:

A4 2.0T Cabriolet
A4 3.2 Cabriolet

AWD:

A4 2.0T Cabriolet (opt)
A4 3.2 Cabriolet (opt)

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2007 6:58:45 PM

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AND THE A3 3.2 IS STANDARD WITH QUATTRO.

Damn, I forgot a lot.

AmazingBimmer - 2/5/2007 7:42:36 PM

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everyone forgets they have to offer quattro. the regular version is a fwd pig. It has been acknowledged by audi as well. funny to see you guys cover it up.. who the hell wouls buy a fwd a8? WHO WHO WHO?. NOBODY!!!!. get it through your thick skulls, this car is nothing but a gussied up Plebian VW!

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2007 10:08:13 PM

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Oh and, that's why FWD A8 isn't sold here.

Audi makes quattro standard on many of their cars, simply to be different.

You'd be saying they were a "BMW wannabe" if their products had RWD.

They don't HAVE to offer it. They created it, they started an AWD revolution, and they chose to keep it going.

Is that such a problem for you?

I love it when you don't respond to my comments when I'm right, and you're wrong, which is, oh... 100% of the time.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2007 10:05:46 PM

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When has it been acknowledged by Audi?

If you remember, a year or two ago, Audi executives proposed switching to RWD platforms. However, dealers felt the project would alienate current customers and it would be costly to commit to.

Seriously, WHAT IS SO HORRIBLE ABOUT FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE?

Give me ten reasons why I should buy a RWD BMW 1 Series to replace my FWD Audi A3.

Larry - 2/6/2007 1:11:47 AM

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i am surprised that two-thirds of audi sales are front wheel drive cars. front wheel drive like many cheap american buicks, mercury, a front wheel drive A8 $70,000 cars, Audi should sale nothing but Quattro. S4 you have fwd drive a3 the same thing as a 20,000 VW golf. I am not a audi fan

S4cabriofoxone - 2/6/2007 9:07:52 AM

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We don't have a FWD A8. Obviously, there is a lot of demand for FWD Audis!

If Audi sold nothing but quattro, you idiot, they'd LOSE two-thirds of their sales! A lot of people can't afford AWD models, as you should know.

Larry, a new BMW-owner just got an account on this site. He's looking to trade in his 3 Series, and drove the A3 2.0T DSG, FWD. He was so impressed that he immediately became an Audi fan. It's THAT good. You have no idea what you're talking about- I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't even seen one. I see about three a week.

"front wheel drive like..."

Two-thirds of Lexus sales, the ES and RX.

Two-thirds of Acura sales, the TL and TSX.

One-fifth of Cadillac sales, the DTS.



What was the point of the gramatically incorrect "I am not a audi fan" at the end of your post? I gathered.

I also have an Audi S4 Cabriolet... the same thing as a $67,000 Audi S4 Cabriolet.

If I wasn't impressed with the A3, I wouldn't have bought it. I probably would've bought a 325xi or year-old 330xi instead. What would you be saying then, huh?

AmazingBimmer - 2/6/2007 8:45:31 PM

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S4. you are truly a moron. I will answer you when you dont use circular logic. They have to use AWD in their effort to mask the lowly underpinnings of theri cars. Why dont you respond?. Cat got your tongue.. and BTW, JackA**. the FWD A8 is offered in germany. GET THAT THROUGH YOUR SKULL!!. you shoudl have finished college.. could have bought the bmw or porsche