Four "Auto Trophy" Prizes for Audi

Agent009 submitted on 11/22/2006 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 10:38 AM
from: www.automotoportal.com

[39] user comments | category: Spy Shots

Tags: Audi

Audi

A total of four Audi models came top of their class in the “Auto Trophy 2006” poll based on the readers’ vote of the motoring magazine “Auto Zeitung”. The Audi A3, A6, A8 and R8 picked up four of the year’s most coveted awards in the readers’ poll. The Audi Q7, TT and Audi A4 finished as runners-up in their categories. Readers were able to choose from a total of 347 models in 27 categories this year. Journalists at the “Auto Zeitung” magazine, which is published in Cologne, counted more than 93,800 votes submitted. The Audi A8 picked up 35.7 percent of votes in the luxury class, almost twice as many as the runner-up. The rest of the high-quality field of competitors finished a considerable way behind. The A8 managed to book its fourth Auto Trophy victory in succession. Read Article

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 11:16:25 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Wow! Amazing!

Glad I'm getting an A8 for her, then...

(-;

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/23/2006 10:27:35 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

I'm sorry I make so much more than you do... in your dreamland, I know you're king, but in the real world, other people make a lot of money.

I will be getting rid of my S4 in THREE YEARS. That is when I will get a 911 or XKR or something. Not only will I be making more then, but I won't be paying for college/law school.

I may be putting an order down on a custom A8 for my wife tomorrow. We'll see how it plays out. Custom cars come in about 60 days.

When my youngest son takes my A3 in a year and a half, that is when I'll get a 3er coupe, or possibly even an X5 if I want something that expensive as a winter car. Again, we'll see how it happens. I have a lot of time to think about it.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/24/2006 11:37:55 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I only have a screenname for my S4, which I've had for a year and a half. See the picture? I took it in MY GARAGE.

missyuni - 11/29/2006 10:20:30 PM

+1 Boost

That is extremely rude of you to say.

missyuni - 11/29/2006 10:24:07 PM

0 Boost

There is no reason to hate just because you don't have the mental/intellectual/CULTURAL capacity to even talk about ever owning an Audi A8 like S4cabriofoxone.

audiot - 11/22/2006 11:31:42 AM

0 Boost

Yeah, it is amazing. That aging A8 must be a very special car to beat the fully redesigned S-class.. And for the readers of this magazine to guess that the R8 drives best in its class--without having driven it themselves--is clairvoyant. And of course you'd choose the A6 over the 5-series every day of the week. Just another typical day at the office for Audi!!!

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 11:37:31 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

The A8 looks as fresh as it did three years ago. No, MORE fresh. That new grille really helps.

I've been telling this to Will a lot- the A8 has a truly timeless design. It will look beautiful, inside and out, until the day it's redesigned.

And after that, too.

EL34 - 11/22/2006 11:51:02 AM

+2 Boost

But does the A8 ome with 30 gig hard drive?

S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 12:16:57 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

LOL!

No, but it comes with a satisfactory ownership experience, and can handle all conditions...

MercBasher - 11/22/2006 3:58:15 PM

-5 Boost

Just as a matter of interest is this magazine automatically distributed to any Audi purchaser in Germany? Or is it particularly well entrenced in areas close to VW/Audi manufacturing plants?

Not saying the results are biased, but they are rather peculiar - tend to agree with "Audiot"

Bill - 11/22/2006 11:33:36 AM

+2 Boost

I'm happy no Lexus was chosen, just so the fanboys here would shut up.

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audiot - 11/22/2006 11:41:44 AM

-2 Boost

Thanks for inviting the hordes to flame this post.

2JZSoarer - 11/25/2006 3:00:49 AM

+2 Boost

I'm glad no Mercedes was chosen(overrated,overpriced,old man's car)

rocker - 11/22/2006 12:50:40 PM

-2 Boost

Evidently, all magazines are biased to one car comapny or another.

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chewy - 11/22/2006 3:19:47 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Very nice.

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/23/2006 12:30:23 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Oh, I've been wondering this for awhile.

audiot, you're obviously not much of an Audi fan. You seem to dislike their cars, and the people who support them.

But then again, you don't really like any cars in particular, which leaves a question mark as to why you're an enthusiast.

And- why is your name "audiot"? It always makes me think of Audi.

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AmazingBimmer - 11/23/2006 11:04:05 AM

-2 Boost

S4... audi +idiot (you have to be one to like audi) = audiot. No surprises again...

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/23/2006 11:30:29 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

This is a relief!

I was just looking at an article that had an interview with Dr. Johan de Nysschen, Executive VP of AoA! A quote of his:

"Now when it comes to communicating the right message, we’re developing a new positioning for the brand and we are, right now at this moment, reviewing our advertising agency and looking at alternative creative approaches for the U.S., which we’ll put into play in the first half of 2007. "

That is gratifying to finally hear that they are working on advertising.

Another interesting thing (this goes for people like AmazingBimmer):

"On average, Audi buyers are younger and more Internet savvy than buyers of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Lexus and Infiniti. A higher percentage of our buyers are college graduates, more than BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Lexus. Overall, Audi has the highest percentage of buyers in professional careers. The buyer of an Audi A8 earns, on average, $80,000 a year more than the buyer of a BMW 7-series."

Another, funny anecdote of de Nysschen's:

"A gentleman walked in off of the street, and while we were setting up for the opening event, fell in love with an Audi A8L that was being readied for display. This car was a special car. It had a night blue pearl exterior, a quattro GmbH bone-colored interior, black piping on the seats. It was fully decked out. It had a very special set of alloy wheels that actually hadn’t even been released for the American market as of yet.

When he was told that the vehicle was actually for display and not for sale, he said “Don’t you understand? All cars are for sale.”

(laughs)

He didn’t even want to wait for another car just like it. He wanted that car.

They tallied up the price of the car with all of the options and it was just shy of $175,000. He wrote up a check and then said, “I will now lend you my car for your opening event.” "

This was at the Audi Forum in NY.

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/23/2006 10:29:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Wow, you're an idiot! ANOTHER idiot!

Just what we need...

Listen to yourself. Do yourself a favor and type in "Audi" on Wikipedia. One snippet of information is that Audi was the first brand in Europe to offer a V-8 engine. There is so much more. To say Lexus, which is a great brand in itself, has more heritage is just laughable. Audi is older than BMW, Jaguar, Cadillac, Lincoln, Toyota, well, everything but Mercedes-Benz.

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Occarnut - 11/25/2006 6:50:57 PM

+2 Boost

Dude...check your facts...Audi has heritage...much longer and much more intersting than Lexus.

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AmazingBimmer - 11/24/2006 7:50:06 AM

-1 Boost

S4.. agree. but audi is a way shittier brand than the big boys. It is a clear #4 or 5 even in german (porsche, bmw, benz and a smatering of others ahead). in the US, clearly lexus is way ahead of them.

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/24/2006 11:40:53 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Well, considering it's the 3rd best-selling premium brand in the world and doesn't trail Mercedes by any significant amount, it can compete with those two, and anything else, with ease. You two are seeing this through America's eyes. Audi may not sell as well in America, but they're doing a damn good job everywhere else.

In Europe, for example Audi is a clear sales leader in premium brands, outselling BMW/Merc routinely.

In China, Audi holds 60% of the premium industry.

In Germany, all these cars' home country, where they obviously know more about THEIR cars, Audi has always sold more than BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/24/2006 11:42:25 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Oh and, Lexus is way ahead of EVERY premium brand in the US, not just Audi.

If you think Audi's are such pieces of $hit, you've never driven one. Do yourself a favor and go drive an A8 or something. It's one of the best cars on the road.

indoctrin8ed - 11/24/2006 3:23:59 PM

+1 Boost

I'd have to agree that Lexus has better Heritage, though not as old as audi. Audi was considered junk just a decade ago. Lexus, inherits heritage from Toyota, which has always made great cars in it's class. And ever since that 1st Lexus rolled out in 1989, it's delivered a solid product. It's only in the last 5 years has Audi come back to make some great cars, which they have, but at a premium cost.

S4- I'd have to disagree with you on the A8. My boss has a 2005 and I've given her some good hell (the car :-). Great car, but for the money there are really only two choices. The Lexus LS460 and the BMW 750i. If she's a driving enthusiast, it's the BMW, if it's about comfort, luxury, reliability, then it's the Lexus. Plus your wife will love the auto parallel parking feature. And since you're paying for it all, you'll be glad both cars have a better resale value than the Audi.

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/25/2006 12:14:59 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Well, considering she definitely does NOT want another Lexus (too popular, too boring), the fact that I'm an Audi guy, the A8 has gotten never-ending wonderful reviews, my friends have 2, and the 7 Series is currently the least competitive car in its class, it's A8 all the way.

It's beautiful on the inside, in any color. It has 350hp- way more than enough for her. I'll be stealing it a lot! It's a timeless piece where looks are concerened; handsome in any color. This car is a lot more comfortable than you think. We were very impressed when we drove it on Monday. The next day, we drove an E350 4Matic (S550 too expensive, too powerful for her), and weren't nearly as impressed. The ride quality was coarse in comparison, the seats were hard, there wasn't nearly enough rear legroom (our son and his friend were with us), and it just wasn't nice enough to justify being in the A8's potential price range (our A8 will be $75K and an E350 would've been $64K).

If you don't think the A8 is as good as the 7 Series, I feel a little sorry for you. The A8 has actually been described as being the sportiest car in its class, due to its aluminum construction and uncanny small-car-esque feel.

And you forgot AWD. If an S550 4Matic stretches your wallet, then an A8/A8L is the only way to go. I wouldn't feel comfortable with her driving an XJ8 or something. XJ8 was our second choice, had all else failed.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/25/2006 12:16:49 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Oh, and...

"Audi was considered junk just a decade ago."

Well, true. Not a decade ago (that's when the A4 and A8 came out and completely revolutionized the brand), but they were simply rebadged VWs back in the '80s. I never considered buying one until I got my A6 in 2000, because I thought they were underpowered. Wow, my conceptions were wrong. But, to go on, Audis were far better before they were bought out by VW (that is, until now- now they are better than they were). You'd be surprised. Read up on Wikipedia or something.

2JZSoarer - 11/25/2006 3:16:04 AM

0 Boost

If Lexus was so boring,than why is it so popular,and do say price,because anyone that can afford a Lexus(Doctors,Lawyers,Celebrities,ect.),can probably pay a bit more for an overrated German car..
I happen to Love the Lexus style,and it's far from boring!!

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/25/2006 1:50:23 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I said that SHE didn't like it any more because it was too popular and too boring. SHE wants something different.

Occarnut - 11/25/2006 6:54:00 PM

+1 Boost

The two Lexus models that are driving the "popularity" are the RX and the ES..two of the most innocuous cars ever produced...I cannot remember the last time I saw a man driving either one.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/26/2006 10:39:30 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Exactly!

JUGNU- If the ES and RX were taken out, Lexus would probably be more like the fourth or fifth best-selling premium brand. What's good about BMW, Mercedes and Audi is that they all have cars as their staples, with SUVs on the side. Audi has the A4, Mercedes has the E-Class and BMW has both the 3 and 5 Series. Then again, BMW also has the X3 and X5. Merc's SUVs don't do as well, and the Q7 is starting to get popular arouny my suburban area.

2JZSoarer - 11/25/2006 3:17:36 AM

-2 Boost

Mistype:
If Lexus was so boring,than why is it so popular,and (don't) say price,because anyone that can afford a Lexus(Doctors,Lawyers,Celebrities,ect.),can probably pay a bit more for an overrated German car..
I happen to Love the Lexus style,and it's far from boring!!

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GermanNut - 11/25/2006 3:41:40 PM

+2 Boost

AmazingBimmer just can't handle the fact that Audi is releasing revolutionary cars in terms of design and performance like the R8, when BMW and Mercedes-Benz only have their sales numbers to keep them ahead of Audi.

He just can't accept the fact that Audi is making a serious effort with their product line to give BMW and Mercedes-Benz a real scare.

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indoctrin8ed - 12/1/2006 7:51:23 PM

+1 Boost

Back to my point on Audi A8 v Lexus LS450 v BMW 750, I don't think you convinced me that the Audi is better than either of these (depending whether you are a driver's enthusiast or enjoy a comfortable, quality, practical car). I think it sits right in the middle and therefore dillutes itself at being good at either. The only cure for this otherwise mutually exclusive paradox is another $60,000 in, say, a S55/S65 AMG or Bentley Flying Spur. That's my opinion from diving all of them (except the Bentley) It's also the opinion of most of the reviews out there.

I think you just love Audis because they're the quintessential underdog that fights a valiant fight to show up the leader (BMW). You're also more of a driving enthusiast than your wife, so therein rests the compromise you're making. The A8, for the money, seems to be a B+ car across the board, with an A- in looks/interior... again, *for the money*.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't let my wife get a Lexus either. While I can admit it's a terrific car in every measurable metric (in the non-driver enthusiast class), I wouldn't want to look at it in my garage despite it's not even offensive looking. It invokes about as much emotion as a Celica to me, maybe less.

Last, by looking at the things you praise about the A8, it sounds like the car you really want [to see your wife in] is the Jag XJ. You can avoid eating crow from the BMW club here and you can still maintain prestige, class, and not be a boring Lexus owner.
And you can still talk about it's monocoque Aluminum body you're so proud of on the A8. Another little secret - pick one up preowned for a steal, they have a drive off depreciation that makes them great "barely owned" values. Mum is the word here, S4.

I think you just love Audis because they're the quintessential underdog that fights a valiant fight to show up the leader (BMW). You're also more of a driving enthusiast than your wife, so therein rests the compromise you're making. The A8, for the money, seems to be a B+ car across the board, with an A- in looks/interior... again, *for the money*.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't let my wife get a Lexus either. While I can admit it's a terrific car in every measurable metric (in the non-driver entusiast class), I wouldn't want to look at it in my garage despite it's not even offensive looking. It invokes about as much emotion as a Celica to me, maybe less.

Last, by looking at the things you praise about the A8, it sounds like the car you really want [to see your wife in] is the Jag XJ. You can avoid eating crow from the BMW club here and you can still maintain prestigue, class, and not be a boring Lexus owner.
And you can still talk about it's monocock Aluminum body you're so proud of on the A8. Another little secret - pick one up preowned for a steal, they have a drive off depreciation that makes them great "barely owned" values. Mum is the word here, S4.

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