'Best Cars': Three Audi Models Among Winners

INGOLSTADT, Germany – January 29, 2009: Audi has succeeded in repeating its successes of recent years in the "Best Cars" reader poll sponsored by the magazine "auto motor und sport" (ams). The readers of ams voted Audi models the best cars in three separate categories: the Audi A4, Audi A6 and the recently launched Audi Q5 were all among readers' favorites. Rounding off an outstanding set of results, the Audi A3, A8 and R8 each secured second place in their respective categories. The awards were presented today in Stuttgart's Alte Reithalle.

With three outright wins to its name, Audi is again one of the most successful brands. The Audi A4 repeated last year's triumph in the "Midsize" category. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, who attended the ceremony to accept the award for Audi's volume model, remarked: "The A4 has brought full-size virtues into the midsize category with its innovative technology, stunning design and superior feel and quality."

It is becoming a regular feature of the ams reader poll for the Audi A6 to emerge on top in the "Upmarket Midsize" category. The sporty business sedan asserted its superiority over competitor models for the fifth time in a row. "Our A6 is a sporty but fuel-efficient option. And that is what customers in this segment ultimately want," commented Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG, at today's presentation in Stuttgart.

The new Audi Q5 captured top spot in the "Off Road Vehicle" category at its very first attempt. The various accolades already captured by this newcomer include the coveted design awards sponsored by ams and Auto Bild, and the "Golden Steering Wheel" voted on by readers of Bild am Sonntag. At the awards ceremony Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG, emphasized: "The Q5 shows that lifestyle all-rounders are just as much in demand as ever. Particularly when they are as expressive, powerful and efficient as this one. This car still has immense potential."

The successful showing in the ams reader poll was rounded off by second places for the Audi A3 in the "Lower Midsize" category, the Audi A8 in the "Luxury" category and the Audi R8 in "Sports Cars".

This was the 33rd auto motor und sport reader poll, with more than 92,000 of the magazine's readers casting their vote.