MIMS: Audi spoils for choice

Three new niche models from Audi were previewed on the company's stand at this week's Melbourne International Motor Show. These three fill the sort of gaps that are likely to attract no more than about 150 buyers a year at most. Still, when the sales total reached just 7225 in '07 -- albeit marking solid growth over the previous year -- any extra buyers are welcome, no matter how few.

The three niche models that made their local debut included the small A3 Cabriolet, the performance S version of the TT Coupe and Roadster and the barnstorming large wagon, the RS6 Avant.

Audi also used the show to announce pricing for its new volume mainstream model the A4, which will range from $50,900 to $88,900 when it goes on sale in April. The A4 was previewed at last year's Sydney motor show so it was the three new Australian premieres that were attracting most of the attention.

Kicking off interest at the more affordable end was the A3 Cabriolet that lands in July and will likely be priced to start from about $60K. Unlike most other new convertibles hitting Australian shores, the small 2+2 eschews the current trend for folding hardtops and retains a more traditional soft folding roof. Part of the rationale is to maintain a decent amount of rear passenger and boot space. Peering into the car on the show stand, the rear pews did appear to offer more than the upholstered luggage rack that some rivals pass off for a back seat.

Three petrol engines will be on offer for the front drive A3 Cabriolet including a 1.6, 1.8 turbo and 2.0-litre turbo with a range of transmission options that vary according to model.

Next up was the S version of the TT softop Roadster that, together with a hardtop Coupe, is due around the same time as the A3 Cabriolet.

The TTS models use a boosted version of the 2.0-litre direct injection turbo petrol engine that currently powers the TT to drive all four wheels through a choice of six-speed manual or S-tronic (sequential automated manual) gearboxes. The hi-po version of the engine lifts power and torque by a very substantial 50kW and 70Nm to a smidge under 200kW and 350Nm.

This makes it the most powerful TT in the range, exceeding the 3.2-litre V6's outputs by about 15kW and 30Nm and, as such it will also be at the top end on price. Audi has yet to announce starting stickers but with the V6 starting in the high $80K region, you wouldn't expect much change from $100K for the TTS Coupe.

For the ultimate in "shooting brakes" that promise to get the wife to work, the kids to school and Rover to doggy daycare in a very rapid fashion, Audi also announced the impending arrival of the new RS6 Avant.

Based on the A6 Avant, the RS6 uses an even gruntier version of the S6's 5.2-litre V10 with the addition of a pair of turbos boosting power and torque outputs to 426kW and 650Nm. This tops Australia's other very fast family transport -- the Mercedes E63 AMG Estate which develops 378kW/630Nm from its big V8 -- but both will cover 0-100kmh in just 4.6 seconds.

Due on sale in August, the RS6 will be priced from $259,000 -- not cheap by any stretch of the imagination but if its smaller RS4 Avant sibling is anything to go by, it should offer about as much fun as you can possibly have in a practical family wagon.

On the more practical family side, although Audi is pushing the "Sports" flavoured sedan line, the new A4 will be offered with a range of the company's mainstream engines powering four models to kick off the introduction.

Starting at $50,990 for the front drive manual 1.8-litre turbo direct injection petrol version the range rises through the CVT multitronic automatic 1.8 turbo that adds $2600 to the price, a 2.0-litre turbo diesel that starts at $54,900 and the range topping 3.2-litre all wheel drive quattro tiptronic automatic that is stickered at $88,500.

Following about June, a second 2.7-litre diesel multitronic model will be added to the lineup, priced from $67,900.