Liviu Marcus
Audi epitomizes the German car manufacturer trope. Engineering, aesthetics, efficiency, reliability, history – all of the highest order. The list of qualities could go on, but the bottom line is the brand sits right up there in the global automobile picture as one of the most respected and revered, both on and off the track.
Staying away from racing pedigree, Audi’s record in the commercial market is outstanding, not least down to the constant stream of excellence rolling off their production line. The question is if you had to pick the best production Audis of all time, what would you go for?
A tough one, we know, but here are four names that undoubtedly belong near the very top of the list.
Audi TT
The hairdresser’s car, right? A tough tag to stomach for the manliest of men back through the late 90s and early 00s who loved the TT’s aesthetics, but now that nonsense is long in the past, the TT can be appreciated for what it is – a design icon.
The car that gave Audi its identity from a design perspective, the TT is arguably the most recognizable creation from the brand that there is. An ever-present since 1998, today’s TTs have a more muscular and angular build than the original, more rounded offering, with plenty of bite under the bonnet, as well.
The Audi RS6/RS6 Avant
Nobody would expect an estate car to make this list, but a turbocharged, supercar rivaling family car is certainly worthy of note. The RS6 Avant is only one-half of the original beastly RS6 duo, with a saloon option carrying the non-Avant name tag. At 571hp, the second generation RS6 was the most powerful car Audi had ever released to the market. Today, only the Avant estate (or wagon, as Audi would tell you) has carried forward into its fourth generation, but it’s more of a monster than ever.
Get the Vorsprung pack and ceramic brakes on the latest model and you’ll be able to achieve speeds of up to 190mph while having space for a family of four and all the bags for your trip. A practical family wagon with supercar qualities – whose idea was that?
Audis – and we love it.
Audi Quattro
If you love your rallying, or even if you have any passing interest in the world of motorsport, there’s a good chance you’re somewhat familiar with the Audi Quattro. One of the most iconic World Rally entries ever, the Quattro boats eight WRC titles to its name. In production terms, it was the brand’s first car that offered AWD with a turbo engine to boot.
Such is the legacy of the Quattro, the name is now given to any Audi that offers AWD. In design terms, it’s also right up there with the TT in distinguishing the manufacturer in a cultural light and is undoubtedly one of the greatest Audis ever made.
Audi R8
Audi may be fiddling around with supercharged wagons, but they’re also happy to pump out legitimate supercars. The RS8, which has been around since 2006, is easily Audi’s most recognizable high-performance effort in today’s market and is one of the most desirable cars money can buy in 2021.
Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, the R8 is noteworthy in supercar terms for its handling and usability – often dubbed a great “my first supercar” option (good to know for when we’re all buying our first supercar). Again, the design is outstanding and instantly recognizable, and it’s likely we’re witnessing a true brand classic in its prime.
There’s no such thing as a bad Audi, whether that’s the second-hand A3 still doing the job for you after 10 years or one of their track-inspired monsters that cost a small fortune. Sometimes you’ve just got to step back and appreciate a brand for what it is, and the four rings of Audi deserve all the respect in the world.
