Source: https://naijauto.com/market-news/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-audi-26

If you ask an Audi fan when the global launch of Next-gen Audi Q5 e-tron Quattro will be, he or she might instantly give you an exact date and time. But the following 7 interesting facts are what an Audi fan might have never heard about.

As the leading player in the luxury car market, for years, Audi has received great concern and favor from car enthusiasts all over the world. Have you ever wonder about the meaning of its name and its four rings logo? Let's find out 7 interesting facts that even an Audi fan might not know about this German automaker.

1. Birth of the brand’s name

In 1899, a German man called August Horch established his first company named A. Horch & Cie in the Ehrenfeld district of Cologne. Ten years later, as having disagreement with the Chief Financial Officer, August Horch decided to leave the company and founded his second one, the August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH.


August Horch established his first company named A. Horch & Cie in 1899

Unfortunately, as his former partners sued him for copyright infringement., August Horch had to hold a meeting with his close business friends, Paul and Franz Fikentscher, to brainstorm a new name for the company. At the Franz Fikentscher’s apartment, many options were put into discussion but they had yet to come up with any ideas that can satisfy all. Whereas, Franz’s son, who was studying in the room’s corner, accidentally blurted out: "Father – wouldn't it be a good idea to call it audi instead of horch?".

“Horch” in German means “listen”, which in Latin is “Audi”. Immediately, everyone accepted the name enthusiastically and that was how the Audi name was born.

2. Meaning of the four rings logo

Before World War II, the Auto Union including Audi, Horch, DKW and Wanderer used the four interlinked rings that make up the Audi logo today. Each ring represents a company in the Auto Union and the four show the close connection among these members.


Auto Union used the four interlinked rings that make up the Audi logo today

3. Being sued by the Oplympics because of the rings

In 1995, the International Olympic Committee sued Audi for trademark infringement because the four rings logo of Audi is similar to the logo of Olympic Games. Finally, Audi still won and kept their four interlinked rings logo.


The International Olympic Committee sued Audi for trademark infringement

4. Producing the first German-made left-hand drive car

In September 1921, Audi launched the first German left-hand drive car - Audi Type K. This model quickly became more and more popular and gradually developed into the standard in the 1920’s.


In September 1921, Audi launched the first German left-hand drive car - Audi Type K

5. Producing the world's fastest car in the 30s

Audi has a strong contender in the competition of on and off the track. In 1938, Ferdinand Porsche supported Audi to produce the fastest track car. And the outcome of this alliance was the Auto Union type C which ran on a 560 hp producing V16 beast. Equipped with a rear mounted engine and enhanced handling, the model was able to clock 430 kmph on the Autobahn.


In 1938, Ferdinand Porsche supported Audi to produce the fastest track car

6. Used to worked for Mercedes-Benz's founder

When August Horch was young, the Audi's founder used to work as a blacksmith. After getting his engineering degree, Horch got employed by a shipbuilding company before working for Karl Benz - founder of the Mercedes-Benz. After 3 years, he left Karl and started his own business.


Horch started to work for Karl Benz for 3 years

7. Being the first to carry out crash tests

In 1938, Audi carried out some crash tests in order to see the reaction of the car in case of an accident. At that time, Audi was the first automaker to have such kind of tests. Nowadays, crash tests have become a significant process in car manufacture.

Source: https://naijauto.com/market-news/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-audi-26