HERNDON, VA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/06/12 -- Audi ranked as the top $31,000+ brand in the newly released 2012 Total Value Index™ (TVI) study presented by Strategic Vision, scoring 792 out of a possible 1,000 points. Additionally, among luxury brands priced $31,000 and above, Audi improved the most from 2011. Individual accolades include the Audi A3, named the winner for Luxury Multi-Function Car, the Audi Q5 for Near-Luxury Utility, and the Audi Q7 for topping its category in the Luxury Utility segment.

To achieve these results, TVI vets over 350 new vehicles and over 77,000 owners using its comprehensive Total Quality Index™ (TQI) study, and examines the correlation between how buyers rated innovation and what brands were leaders in Total Value over time.

Audi Q7
With a score of 825 out of 1,000 points, the Q7 was one of the highest-performing models in the 2012 TQI study. The Q7 exceeds driver and passenger expectations for functionality and comfort. Drivers of the Q7 have the option of a gasoline turbocharged, fuel-injected 3.0 liter TFSI® engine, or a fuel efficient, yet powerful, V6 turbocharged direct injection TDI clean diesel engine. With an EPA estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city / 25 mpg highway the Q7 provides a range of more than 600 miles on a full tank holding 26.4 gallons of fuel. The car also features the most advanced Audi technology available, including Audi connect™ with a rolling Wi-Fi® Hotspot for up to eight devices and Google Voice™ Local Search. The Audi music interface with iPod®/iPhone® connectivity ensures a user friendly experience through the Audi MMI® system. A luxurious premium interior includes adjustable rear middle seats, foldable seats in the third row, and available panoramic roof. Airbags including Sideguard® head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats ensures passenger safety.

Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with an impressively versatile interior and a wide range of practical features for leisure and family use. Powerful, efficient engines, quattro® permanent all-wheel drive and an agile suspension layout form an impressive technological package for on-road and off-road use. Highlights such as the innovative six-speed Tiptronic® transmission and the driving dynamics system Audi drive select are the evidence of the Audi commitment to progressive innovation.

Audi A3
The Audi A3 also topped its category thanks to its sporty and athletic design. The Audi DNA is evident in the A3 which features a steeply raked windshield, forward-leaning roofline, signature Audi Singleframe® grille and available Open Sky panoramic roof. The A3 is available in two powertrain choices: the 2.0 TDI clean diesel or 2.0TFSI. Both provide impressive power at 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque for the TDI®, and 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque for the TFSI. Audi A3 fuel economy is admirable, particularly in the TDI with a fuel economy of 30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined.

Strategic Vision has presented Total Value Awards annually since 1995. Based on Strategic Vision's quantitative "ValueCentered®" NVES study, the Total Value Index was calculated from the responses of 77,153 buyers who purchased 2012 models between September 2011 and June 2012.

To learn more about the Audi premium performance models, please visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com.

About Strategic Vision
Strategic Vision is a research-based consultancy with over forty years of experience in understanding the consumers' and constituents' decision-making systems for a variety of Fortune 100 clients, including most automotive manufacturers. Its unique expertise is in identifying consumers' comprehensive motivational hierarchies, including the product attributes, personal benefits, value/emotions and images that drive perceptions and behaviors. J. Susan Johnson, CEO of Strategic Vision, coined the phrase "True Innovators" and we measure this construct in the detailed Total Quality Index report. The ValueCentered® psychology and research methods were defined by Dr. Darrel Edwards in 1968, and enhanced by co-founders J. Susan Johnson (1972) and Sharon Shedroff (1975). For further information, contact Dr. Darrel Edwards, Alexander Edwards or Christopher Chaney at (858) 576-7141 or visit www.strategicvision.com.

ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. Audi was a top-performing luxury brand in Europe during 2011, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. AUDI AG is planning to invest a total of EUR 13 billion over the period 2012 through 2016 on new products and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

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