MIMS: Audi warms up for big event
Audi unveiled three new models at MIMS, but they were just a warm-up for a bigger unveil next weekThere was no shortage of new product on Audi's stand at MIMS. No less than three new cars were unveiled, along with a swag of 'still-fresh' models in their first Melbourne showings. But, as important as the models might be, they were just a warm-up for the Ingolstadt brand's big event this coming Tuesday.
Timed to coincide with an unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, Tuesday's event will see the sheets ripped off the curvaceous form of Audi's new mass-market coupe, the A5. The Carsales network scooped news of the Down Under appearance of the A5 (more here) last month. We'll be there to bring the skinny on the 3 Series Coupe challenger next week too.
Meanwhile, MIMS was the official local debut of the Audi TT Roadster, S3 hot hatch and A6 allroad quattro. All will go on sale locally soon; the high-ride A6 in May, followed by the two compact hotshoes in June.
"Since its introduction to Australia late last year, the new Audi TT has been a huge hit with Australian consumers. The new model is in high demand and we have buyers clamouring for their car to arrive," Audi Australia's managing director, Joerg Hofmann said.
"We expect that the TT Roadster will be similarly popular. It will officially arrive in June 2007, however, we have used the Melbourne unveiling as an opportunity to kick off our pre-sales campaign for this new model."
The TT Roadster will offer the same engine choices as the coupe -- the 2.0 TFSI is priced from $77,500 while the 3.2 V6 quattro kicks of at $92,900. Both engines are coupled with Audi's version of the VW DSG transmission, known as S-tronic.
The S3 will be priced "around $66,000". It also features Audi's 188kW 2.0 TFSI powerplant this time mated to a conventional six-speed manual transmission.
Featuring Audi's excellent 3.0 TDI V6 turbodiesel from launch, the A6 allroad quattro will be priced from $106,000.
Though not its first show, the mid-engined R8 also attracted its fair share of admirers at MIMS. According to Audi, the 911 rival will arrive in September.
Even at its $250K-plus pricetag, the company claims around two-thirds of the local 2007 allocation has been pre-sold.
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