subject: 4 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Audi [print this page] One of the most famous car manufacturers of all time, Audi are also one of the oldest brands and most lucrative, being established in 1909 and according to data from Audi, turned over just short of 30 billion euros in 2009.
Whether you're got a keen interest in Audis or not, you aren't likely to be aware of the following 4 facts about this famed car manufacturer.
1. Some of the most popular films to date have featured some fantastic cars, often increasing the popularity of the brand.
As would be expected with a high class manufacturer like Audi, the company have showcased cars in several famous films, most notably an Audi A6 in the latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace and in Iron Man 2, where a stunning Audi R8 Spyder was featured.
2. Regularly regarded as the most popular car television programme, Top Gear has seen a massive increase in popularity in recent years as it has started to appeal to a wider audience (this, however, has not pleased everyone, as some argue that the show has turned into more of an entertainment programme, rather than a car or motor show).
One of the most notable features of Top Gear is the Stig, a fantastic driver who takes cars around the Top Gear track. The identity of the current Stig is unknown and the same was supposed to be true for the first, but his identity was leaked in 2002 and was revealed to be Perry McCarthy, a Formula One race driver.
And the reason how this is linked to Audi? Perry McCarthy - the Sting - drove for Audi twice in the Le Mans 24 hour race (first in 1999 in an R8C and then in 2003 in an R8).
3. Although Audis are known as cars that carry a relatively high price tag, a large majority of people could walk into Audi dealers and afford to purchase one and because of this, most would find it hard to believe that an Audi is the most expensive car in the world.
According to an article on Auto Spies on 17 January 2010, the Jamaican outlet for Audi has an A8 available that costs 80 million US dollars (approximately 51 million pounds).
A high security version, the car features basic features such as multi-zone climate controls, rear table and leather seats, as well as a whole host of somewhat unbelievable security features, including full outer body armour and an emergency door.
To put this price into consideration, the Auto Spies article explains that some of the world's other most secure cars are a Mercedes-Benz S500 which costs 24 million US dollars (15 million pounds), a BMW M3 that costs 16 million US dollars (10 million pounds) and a Land Rover HSE at 17 million US dollars (11 million pounds).
4. Although the company is a German one (and often surprising for some to hear, is owned almost entirely by Volkswagen), the name is actually Latin.
Being taken from the company's founder, August Horch, his surname is German for listen. Not wanting to use his own name, he looked at what the word translated to in Latin - Audi - and used it to define his brand.
