HERNDON, VA – The trade magazine Automobilwoche has honored Audi as 2008’s most improved brand; at the same time, the DEKRA testing company rated the Audi A6 as the “Most Reliable of All Classes” — just two highlights in a long list of honors for the Audi brand in 2008.

In 2008, the brand with the four rings not only delivered an impressive domestic performance with 35 awards but proved its excellence in the international arena as well with 56 prizes.

The Audi R8, A5, and A4 won the most awards. Immediately after its debut, the Audi A4 was chosen as “Europe’s Auto1” by Autobild readers from 26 countries. At the New York International Auto Show, the Audi R8 for the first time received two “World Car of the Year Awards” — for performance and design.

An early highlight in the year among the 35 domestic awards was the quadruple win (A3, A4, A6, and R8) among the readership of the trade magazine “auto motor und sport.”

In addition to the familiar stars of the brand, a newcomer to the Audi family attracted attention particularly toward year’s end — the Audi Q5. Even before its market launch on November 14 it captured two design awards and the coveted “Golden Steering Wheel” in the SUV category. These were followed by three additional prizes, including the “Euro Car Body Award” by an international panel of experts.