Audi: 2005 - A year of remarkable achievements

2005 was really a great year for Audi: New sales records, manufacturer of the year, great new models like the Audi RS4 and so on.
Audi of America put that together in a short list in their latest newsletter.

Amazingly enough, we've come to the end of another year — one that was truly remarkable for Audi and for all our customers. Among the many highlights that marked 2005 were:

* Step Ahead with Audi A3: 3 filmmaking teams. 3 unforgettable cross-country treks in search of people, places, and things a step — or more — ahead of everyone else. Working with the American Film Institute (AFI), Audi selected filmmakers who competed to create the best 15-minute film. The incentive for each road trip? The sophisticated and irresistible Audi A3.

* Audi A6 named "World Car of the Year": The year was off to a stellar start when the Audi A6 was awarded World Car of the Year at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The new A6 topped a list of 36 new vehicles across a range of parameters that included acceleration and braking, safety features, and off-road capabilities.

* Audi A4 and A6 Receive "Interior of the Year" Honors: Ward's Auto World selected the Audi A4 and A6 from a field of 23 different vehicles, awarding them top honors in recognition of their innovative use of new technologies, materials, ergonomics, and overall aesthetics

* Three "Double Best Picks" and "Top Safety Picks" for the Audi A3, A4 and A6: When Audi received its first "Double Best Pick" in crash test safety this year for the Audi A6, the press noted that the designation was a distinctive achievement. After all, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had rarely in its history given one vehicle Best Pick status in both frontal and side crash test safety. When, a few months later, the Audi A4 won its own "Double Best Pick" in the same safety tests, the achievement was even more stunning. Now, Audi can celebrate its third "Double Best Pick" of the year — an unprecedented achievement for a car manufacturer. Crowning our efforts to develop the safest cars, in November the IIHS additionally designated each model as the "Top Safety Pick" in its class.

* Partnerships with premier products and services: Throughout 2005, Audi teamed up with providers of premium goods and services to furnish our customers with special offers and values. Among our many partners were iTunes, Bose, Palm, Abercrombie & Kent and Armani Exchange.

* Audi A8 earns 2nd Consecutive "America's Best Luxury Car" designation: For the second year running, readers of AutoWeek voted the Audi A8 America's Best Luxury Car, stating "The more we drive the Audi A8 and its longer, roomier A8 L sibling, the more we wonder why anyone would pick another luxury car."

* Champion Racing: Audi has a spectacular year: "This season is one that probably could not be duplicated," said an elated Dave Maraj, Team Owner/Champion Racing. "We won the three most important sports car races: the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours LeMans and Petit LeMans. Two of our drivers — Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro — won the Drivers Championship, Team ADT Champion Racing won their 2nd Team Championship and we gave Audi their 6th Manufacturer's Championship." Plus, Team ADT won the Automobile Club de France Ecology Trophy. The Audi R8 with its FSI engine outdistanced the field in both fuel efficiency and noise level.

* Audi A3 chosen Best Sport Compact in Car & Driver's "Ten Best Car" competition: It was a fitting finish to an amazing year when Car & Driver selected the new Audi A3 as one of the years finest.

And they also have an outlook for 2006.

With an extraordinary year like 2005 behind us, the question is: what will 2006 have in store? The answer: more exceptional vehicle introductions, events, and partnerships that underscore — perhaps more emphatically than ever before — Audi's commitment to performance and power. Here are some of the most eagerly-awaited:

* The 2006 Audi Q7: It may be one of the most anticipated releases in Audi history. The Audi Q7, which combines premium luxury, breathtaking performance, and classic Audi excellence in one unforgettable SUV, is making its North American debut in spring, 2006.

* The 2007 Performance Models: In a year focused on power and performance, Audi will unveil four 2007 models that are the embodiment of both: the Audi S4, RS 4 and S8. Each, a tribute to dynamism, as expressed in its engine, transmission, suspension and design. In the coming months, you'll have the opportunity to find out more about these superlative vehicles.

GermanCarBlog, Audi

Source: Audi of America

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