Drivers discover real meaning behind Audi logo – and it's left them floored

Regardless of your enthusiasm for cars, Audi is a brand that almost everyone will recognise.

The legendary carmaker has been in business for over a century and sports a particularly distinctive emblem. While Audis frequently zip past us on the roads, many of us are clueless about the true significance behind the company's iconic logo.

Curiosity about the motors piqued on Reddit, where a user queried the community about the meaning behind the Audi badge. The post sparked an array of theories among motorists.

A respondent enlightened: "The four Audi rings signify Audi, Horscht, DKW and Auto Union. These were four companies that were combined after WW2 because they were all going out of business alone."

Further insights came from someone else, who mentioned: "Old 'Quattro GmbH' badge, which was the old name of the company that is now known as 'Audi Sport'. So this is pretty much the predecessor of the S-badge you get on the steering wheels of S-line models of newer cars.

"If it was a S model, like a S2 back then, the left of the silver bars would say 'S' and the right would say '2'."

What is the significance of this Audi badge?
byu/Mean-Rock-9427 inAudi

Beyond its graphic charm, the Audi logo encapsulates the integrity, principles and narrative of the brand. The Four Rings of the Audi symbol aren’t just decorative – they embody the heritage and evolution that define the brand's journey.

An explanation on Audi Great Neck reads: "In the early 1930s, a groundbreaking collaboration among four distinguished German car manufacturers – Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer – led to the birth of Auto Union AG.

"This alliance was forged to combine resources and expertise, enabling them to thrive in the fiercely competitive automobile industry. The Four Rings emblem emerged as the physical embodiment of this unity.

"Each ring represented one of the four contributing companies, a testament to their combined endeavors and shared ambitions."

While the design is rooted in the concept of unity, the Four Rings emblem has also undergone subtle modifications over time. This is due to the brand's attempts to stay abreast of evolving automotive trends.

Despite some alterations, the message of unity has always remained intact. The brand is consistently said to have struck the right balance between preserving tradition and embracing modernity with the logo.

Audi Great Neck further explains: "Beyond its surface elegance, the Four Rings emblem conceals a profound symbolism nestled within each ring. Audi's ring signifies progress and innovation, DKW embodies ingenuity, Horch represents luxury and Wanderer embodies the spirit of exploration.

"When united within the emblem, these meanings converge to encapsulate Audi's multi-dimensional identity. Over time, the Four Rings emblem has become synonymous with Audi's pursuit of excellence.

"It has graced vehicles that achieved remarkable feats, from triumphant victories on racetracks to groundbreaking technological advancements. The emblem also proudly adorned Audi's iconic Quattro all-wheel-drive system, cementing the brand's reputation for exceptional performance."