Which car rerpresents the Audi brand the most?

[PC Valkyrie]

Which car in today's Audi lineup best represents the brand?

For me, this is a tough one. I have a bit of difficulty identifying what Audi represents as a brand. "Quattro" obviously sticks out, and that is a defining feature on almost all of their cars.

The B5 A4 was a very important car for Audi back in the 1990's. It was that car which put Audi back on the map as a legitimate high-end car maker. Prior to that, not many Audi's stood out from the crowd.

Today, the A4 remains a strong competitor. The A6 and A8 are great cars technically and they perform well, but they still lack the prestige associated with the competition (BMW 5/7 series and MB E/S-class), in my opinion. Audi is trying to break new ground with cars like the R8, but this process will take time.

So in the end, I'm still not sure what car I would choose. By default, I choose the A4, because I think that is the backbone of the company.

Make sure you check out the BMW and MB forums, because I will post a similar question there.

 

[PanterroR]

Really a tough one, but i'd go with A4 since it's the "oldest" one...

 

[Imhotep Evil]

A4.

 

[Bruce]

A4 is my choice.

 

[DaSilva]

Audi A6

 

[Mr. M]

In my eyes it's the R8. It's all a modern Audi is about: 'cool', impeccable attention to detail, futuristic design. It's also the car that might point to certain design cues for the future of Audi. It's the pinnacle of what Audi can do thus far.

 

[Tumbo]

For me, it's the A4, especially with the B5 and B7. And of course the S4/RS4.
A8 very close in second place.

 

[donau]

Also voted A4 but in my mind including the S4 and RS4 in the same lot.

For myself though - S6.

 

[Yperion]

I voted for A8 cause no other Audi has made such a big impact. It was so good that the competition is still trying to catch up.

 

[Giannis]

A4 all the way...

 

[Tumbo]

This baby

 

[Deleted member 182]

I voted for A8 cause no other Audi has made such a big impact. It was so good that the competition is still trying to catch up.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Funny that the TT wasn't included in the list, because it would have been an absolute shoo-in up until just recently.

The TT represented the Audi brand in the late 90s, but now I'm not sure any car really carries the banner anymore. It should be the design jewel of the brand, but I think the new design falls short of being edgy and aspirational, which the previous TT made look easy.

To me, the A4 is a fine car, but doesn't carry a strong enough identity. The midlife facelift felt like a mulligan - using hindsight carried over from the Nuvolari concept.

Personally, I have to go with the A3 Sportback. I feel as though its a car that executes Audi's message in a way that owes little to the competition. The car appears comfortable and genuine in its skin and delivers quality that's arguably unmatched in its segment. The A6 comes in close second.

 

[MikeJ]

I'm gonna go with the A6. To me, it has always been the 'defining' Audi (and usually my favourite).

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Funny that the TT wasn't included in the list, because it would have been an absolute shoo-in up until just recently.

Sorry, I completely forgot about the TT!! It should have been a choice in the poll, but I can't add to it now.

 

[LaArtist]

i dont know.. seriously this is not bashing of audi..
but all of those above seems like good cars in every class..
but no car that dominates its segment and is a definition of the brand imho..
like the S class for MB or the 3er for BMW..
i would have voted for the TT if it was in there..
right now i cant vote

 

[Choleric]

I voted for A8 cause no other Audi has made such a big impact. It was so good that the competition is still trying to catch up.

Co-sign

 

[klier]

This baby

That car exactly. From that car on, Audi started making serious competition with the other two.

 

[cawimmer430]

I voted the A6. IMO, Audi's are sporty cruising cars that offer safety, comfort, sport and Quattro and the A6 represents these values the best IMHO. It's big, comfortable and spacious - something I always think off when I see older Audi's like the Audi 80, 100 etc.

 

[EnI]

Interesting that in BMW & MB polls a result is very homogeneous:

MB: S-class leading 28/39 (72%) (MB = luxurious large sedan)
BMW: 3er leading 32/41 (78%) (BMW = sporty compact sedan)

While in an Audi poll the result is not so clear.

I guess some who claim Audi has a problem with their / image / position / what is Audi standing for / are right after all.

Although this poll is far from being representative, yet it shows Audi brand still hasn't got a very clear image - and they have a lot of work to do to make it clear.

Excellent products, but no clear image / position. Something like eg. Lexus is suffering from.