Audi was the last among the trio of famous German premium carmakers to enter India. And yet, the company leapfrogged rivals to become India’s bestselling luxury car brand within a couple of years of its debut. Some would attribute that success to Audi’s place in the Indian psyche which was shaped by Ravi Shastri famously winning an Audi car as the player of the tournament at the World Championship of Cricket in 1985. Others would attribute Audi cars’ unique blend of performance, luxury, and cutting-edge technology for the same.
But it also helped that Audi’s India portfolio offered several options, from thrill-a-minute cars like the RS to sublimely luxurious ones like the A8. Cut to today, and despite junking diesel power altogether, Audi cars in India remain popular with first-time and repeat luxury car buyers. Here are five reasons why we think that’s the case and why your next car should be an Audi.
Table of Contents
- 1. Audi’s Design Speaks a Timeless Language
- 2. Audi Cars are Thoroughbreds
- 3. There’s AWD and There’s Audi Quattro
- 4. Audi is THE Car to be Driven In
- 5. An Audi Can Be Your Second Home
- Conclusion: Put the (Four) Rings on It
1. Audi’s Design Speaks a Timeless Language
A timeless design is a hard thing to pull off, especially in the automotive world where designers usually can’t recycle design philosophies and elements from the past to innovate new designs. Moreover, designing a car is as much an engineering exercise as it’s a designing one because of challenges like achieving a low coefficient of drag.
But that is a problem Audi doesn’t face. An Audi car is instantly identifiable regardless of the generation to which it belongs. The company achieves this by relying on a few design elements that exude some of the brand’s values. For instance, the distinctive shoulder line in all Audi cars running from the edge of the headlights all the way up to the taillights is responsible for the sleek appearance people instinctively associate with the brand.
Similarly, the generous use of creases, long and flowing lines, rounded-out edges, and the signature trapezoidal grille confer Audi cars with a mature exuberance that stands the test of time. Next time you’re out on the road, just keep an eye out for any of the 1st-gen Audi cars launched in India and admire how well they’ve aged.
2. Audi Cars are Thoroughbreds
The aesthetic quality of Audi cars is rather deceptive as underneath all that elegance lies brilliant performance, especially of the straight line variety. For instance, the most affordable Audi car in India, the A4, is powered by a 2.0-litre engine (193 PS and 320 Nm) that helps bring up 0-100 kmph in just 7 seconds. At the higher end, you’ve got something like the full-electric RS e-tron GT (646 PS and 830 Nm) which clocks 0-100 kmph in just 3.3 seconds. In fact, the RS e-tron GT is also among the fastest-accelerating production cars in India with a ¼ mile run of just 11.110 seconds.
You can credit this kind of performance to Audi’s chequered motorsport history which is laced with achievements such as building the world’s first diesel-powered 24 Hours Le Mans race winner in the R10, the most successful Le Mans car in the R8, several touring championship-winning cars, and dominating rallying by introducing four-wheel drive tech to the sport.
3. There’s AWD and There’s Audi Quattro
Audi is considered a pioneer in the field of all-wheel drive technology. Tagged Quattro, the company’s AWD tech trickled down to road-going Audi cars after decades of fine-tuning and winning in rallying. For instance, while early-bird Quattro tech was entirely rear-wheel-biased, modern Audi cars have a permanent front-rear power split of 40:60. In smaller Audi cars, it’s entirely FWD with power sent to the rear wheels only when required.
Another reason why Quattro stands out among other AWD tech is that it relies on both electronic aids such as EBD and mechanical aids such as lock differentials to maximise traction under all conditions. This results in a more efficient distribution of power which further makes getting out of tricky situations easy and smooth. In other words, not only is an Audi car composed when traction goes haywire but also transmits that feeling of assuredness to the driver.
4. Audi is THE Car to be Driven In
From catching admiring glances to the sheer straight-line performance, the driver’s seat can seem like the best place to enjoy the Audi experience from. However, Audi cars are just as, if not more, rewarding to be experienced from the rear seat. For instance, among the German trio, Audi cars are easily the most refined in terms of power delivery. While you can see the hair-raising performance, you won’t feel it because of how refined Audi cars are.
Similarly, Audi cars are universally acknowledged to have best-in-segment ride quality because of their pliant suspension. Coupled with Quattro, this makes Audi cars perfect for India where patchy roads abound and a car’s traction is constantly challenged.
5. An Audi Can Be Your Second Home
Want to feel as fresh stepping out of your car as you feel when stepping out of your home? Audi cars have you covered. While their unmatched refinement, NVH control, and ride quality play a significant role in keeping occupants minty fresh, an even bigger role is played by Audi cars’ signature interior. The well-contoured, plush seats with adjustability and generous legroom prove that Audi’s reputation for being as comfortable as your living room couch is well-earned. In terms of technology, Audi offers the full suite with a full-digital instrument cluster, large infotainment units, multi-zone climate control, wireless charging, an optional rear-seat entertainment package, leather upholstery, and ambient lighting, among others.
This combination of powertrain refinement, plush and stable ride quality, effortless performance, ample cabin space, and a well-appointed interior ensures you never step out of an Audi tired, whether that’s after a long highway cruise or a painfully slow urban commute.
Conclusion: Put the (Four) Rings on It
Did you know Audi’s four rings represent the merger of four independent automobile manufacturers in Germany in 1932? Today, the four rings logo represents a merger of timeless design, exhilarating performance, cutting-edge technology, and understated luxury in a manner that you can’t find anywhere else. Contemplating your next car? It’s time to put the four rings on that decision.
