Audi A4 fights back

Audi continued its niche-brand build up today, showing off its mid-engined R8 sports car, its A5 and S5 coupe, and a new small-capacity diesel in the A3 range.

However, the focus on the stand was far from a small niche number.

Audi revealed its latest evolution of its all-important BMW 3 Series/Merc C-Class competitor last month at the enormous Frankfurt show in Germany.

The A4 sedan and wagon will arrive here in April 2008 with four engine variants and three transmission choices. The range begins with a (relatively) affordable and fully reworked 1.8-litre TFSI turbo four developing 118kW and 250Nm.

Unfortunately, Audi has already had its thunder stolen – Skoda, which launched here only three days ago, also features the new engine in its Octavia line-up.

The only other petrol is at the other end of the scale, and of course was featured on the stand; a 3.3-litre V6 quattro AWD range-topper producing 195kW and 300Nm, and featuring the new variable valve and lift system (AVS). Australia will not see the S4 or RS4 versions for quite some time – possibly fourth quarter next year (possibly this time next year, at a guess).

The overseas models will launch with two larger capacity V6 diesels; a 3.0 with 176kW and 500Nm, likely running quattro as well to translate that torque to the tarmac, and a smaller 2.7-litre with 140kW and 400Nm. We will only see a 2.0-litre 105kW/320Nm diesel in April, but Audi Managing Director Joerg Hofmann hinted at the new ‘TDI e’ drivetrain as another frugal engine possibility.

Shown here today in A3 Sportback hatch guise, the 1.9 TDI e is again exploring the niche market (this time, the green corner) with a low CO2 emission rating of 119g/km, and an even lower fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km. The TDI e should be priced at about $37,000, sitting just above the current base petrol.

Also hovering on the stand are the fresh-faced A5 coupe and the stunning R8 performance car.

It has been a long time between coupes for Audi. The new A5 gives us a glimpse of the A4s new, supple chassis, which it shares.

And Audi take a stab at their arch-rival BMW and its new M3 with a V8-powered S5 sports variant. The aggressively-styled coupe sharpens under a sports bodykit and is shod with huge alloys, and it shares its engine with the R8 (though it develops a little less power and a lot less noise).