The origin of the automaker we know nowadays as Audi is an interesting one. Horch, which was just revived for an ultra-luxury trim level, and Audiwerke were founded by engineer August Horch. These two companies then merged with DKW and Wanderer in the 1930s to create Auto Union. Then, Volkswagen acquired Auto Union from Daimler. That means that, yes, at one point, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz owned the parent company of Audi. Volkswagen then merged Auto Union with NSU, to create what we now know as Audi.
Although Audi used to be a pretty unpopular luxury brand, they have skyrocketed as one of the most desirable premium automakers of today. With their rallying success, relentless advocacy of putting AWD in normal consumer vehicles, and a focus on stately luxury cars that straddle a line between engagement and dignity, it's no wonder why they're doing so good. There are a few models from their back catalog, however, that no one seems to talk about.
10 RS5 (First Generation)
The RS brand was just getting started in the late 2000s, helped along with the introduction of the R8 sports car (which we will get back to). Alongside the other RS models in the stable, Audi brought out the original RS5 in 2010, based on the A5 luxury coupe.
This is easily one of the best-looking Audi models ever made, and it's also criminally underappreciated. This first generation RS5 featured a wonderful naturally aspirated V8, essentially the same engine as the R8. It made 450 hp in this application, rocketing from 0-60 in 4 seconds with a top speed of 176 mph.
9 Q5 3.2 FSI
If you're an enthusiast who is in the market for a crossover, due to changes in your life that prohibit you from having a two-seater, you have dozens and dozens of options. But, if you're after something a little more left-field and cool, the original Audi Q5 3.2 FSI may be up your alley.
This first generation Q5 was a great all-around crossover package, and certainly a great first attempt at a compact SUV from Audi. The 3.2 FSI engine in question is essentially the same unit as the Golf R32 from the time, which is a fantastic first hot hatchback. If well-maintained, it's a dependable powertrain with some tuning capability, except that here, it's packaged in a practical, understated crossover package. That's a win-win.
8 A6 Allroad
After a bittersweet attempt with the hideously unreliable Allroad back in the early 2000s, Audi has decided to give it another go. Lifted station wagons are creeping up in popularity, and since Audi were among the first to try out that market, the Allroad is back.
The new A6 Allroad is essentially just an ordinary A6 Avant, outfitted with chunkier tires, some body cladding and air suspension for better capability. Aside from the RS6 Avant, this is the only way to have an A6 wagon in North America. Shame that it doesn't get much attention. Maybe because old school Allroad owners are still burned by trying to maintain them.
7 V8
This car, introduced in 1988 and sold through 1993, represented a lot of firsts for Audi. It was their first true flagship luxury car, it was their first car with a V8 engine, and their first car to mate the Quattro AWD system with an automatic transmission. Amazingly, you could still get one of these with a manual if you wanted to.
The V8 was a stately, simple luxury sedan. While it didn't do all that well sales-wise, it formed the basis of the original A8 and S8, which went on to write success stories of their own. Meanwhile, this V8 is a cool, used car buy, if you can find one.
6 TT RS
The second generation Audi TT arrived in 2006. Improved styling, dynamics and a new performance model were all on the table. The 3.2 Quattro model was demoted, but that was only to make room for an arguably far better performance derivative; the TT RS.
This was the first time the RS badge was slapped on a TT, and it was also the first time that Audi gave the little sports car their magnum opus engine; the 2.5-liter turbo five pot. In this application, it made 335 hp, though it was mated exclusively to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Audi did offer this TT RS in North America, and it's definitely worth a look on the used market.
5 R8 (First Generation)
The first generation R8 is finally starting to gain a bit of traction among enthusiasts, simply because of the value proposition. That's something that the R8 has always had going for it; Audi launched it at a very competitive price tag, despite it being a proper sports car to rival the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
Though most later R8 models used the Lamborghini Gallardo-spec V10 engine, the original V8 offers a more interesting driving experience. The high-revving V8 was also available with a spectacular 6-speed gated manual transmission. Early R8 models are very cheap, although if the traction gaining continues, values might just skyrocket.
4 Q4 E-tron
Audi is fully embracing the electric automotive future, and they're rolling out new EVs all around. The Q4 e-tron looks to be their most affordable EV, and it uses VW's MEB platform, rather than the more upscale platforms of the e-tron GT and the e-tron SUV.
It's also an electric car that kind of forgets that it is one. It's all surprisingly normal, and while it is pretty futuristic, it doesn't have anything that would scare a potential consumer away. It also has up to 241 miles of range, up to 300 hp, and it looks pretty cool, too.
3 S1
Spurred on from the success of the Citroën DS3 Racing, the Mini Cooper JCW, the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Ford Fiesta ST, Audi decided to throw their hat into this ring as well, with the S1. Although it shares part of its name with the rally-winning legend of the 80s, this is a very different animal.
Under the hood is VW's EA888 turbo four-cylinder, tuned to 230 hp in this application. The S1 came exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, and it had one thing going for it that none of its competitors did at the time; on-demand AWD. It was a great little hot hatchback, and it's sad that it only lasted four model years on the market.
2 A6 4.2 Quattro (C5)
Believe it or not, this was actually a thing. In the late 90s and early 2000s, the C5 generation Audi A6 was doing the rounds in the luxury sedan segment. It was available with about a dozen different powertrains, and slotting just below the S and RS models, there was the 4.2 Quattro.
In true Audi fashion, it wasn't that easy to distinguish the 4.2 Quattro from other A6 models, aside from the massively flared wheel arches. The 4.2-liter V8 made around 300 hp, sending this car from 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, on to a top speed of 155 mph. The 4.2 also had bigger brakes, standard Quattro and a unique grille design.
1 S8 (D3)
The original Audi S8 was powered by a high-output V8 engine. Audi turned up the ante for the D3 generation with a naturally-aspirated V10. The mid-2000s seemed to be the era of V10 performance cars, and the D3 S8 was one of many.
This car offered a different experience, though. Even though it was hugely powerful, and it sounded great, and while it did provide a little more entertainment in the corners, it was still a very grown-up and stately luxury car, and that was clear in the driving experience. They're getting very cheap, so if you're ready for the maintenance and occasional headaches, now is the time to buy.