Audi torques up a diesel injection

THE expected introduction of a turbo-diesel version of the second generation Audi A3 three-door is a sign of things to come for the luxury marque in Australia.

While the 2.0-litre TDI A3 is expected to be the only oil-burner Audi Australia will launch into its passenger car line-up in 2004, the company has strongly hinted that the technology could soon be embraced across much of the range.

"We might well look more strongly at diesel as an overall part of the strategy in the future," said Audi Australia public relations manager Anna Burgdorf.

"Not (for) every car in the range, but certainly we will look at what opportunities are available."

The local interest in diesels has been accelerated by the ongoing improvement in the fuel here, as well as the ever-improving quality of the engines. Other manufacturers investigating diesel engine use in passenger cars include Mazda, Saab and MG Rover.

"I guess people are becoming less afraid of diesel in Australia," said Ms Burgdorf.

"And the opportunity is certainly there to add to our range."Audi Australia already dabbles in TDI technology, selling a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel version of the Allroad cross-over.

Ms Burgdorf highlighted the luxury A8 saloon as a model potentially suitable for TDI sale in Australia. The V8 4.0-litre A8 sold in Europe produces 202kW and 650Nm.

"We’ve got potential like the A8 TDI, which is a fantastic car," Ms Burgdorf said.

"But will it sell in Australia? That’s too early to tell, but certainly there has been some interest."Ms Burgdorf said Audi would be "seriously looking" at other TDI passenger car options this year, but it would be unlikely to bring others in besides the A3.

"We are possibly not that far … because we don’t have a firm commitments to bring any other models in in the TDI, but that is not to say we won’t look at them, and possibly do a bit of test casing," she said.

The A3 TDI is a 2.0-litre unit that delivers 103kW and 320Nm, and in local spec will be fitted with DSG twin-clutch gearbox.

It will be the performance leader of the range ahead of the 1.6 and 2.0-litre FSI petrol-engined A3s when they are launched in May, but will be usurped by the 3.2-litre V6 quattro A3 when it goes on sale in September.

"The car is a very strong performer and with the DSG gearbox it really does make it a sports performance model," Ms Burgdorf said.

Given its performance and DSG gearbox, Audi is expected to position the TDI A3 above the 2.0 FSI in pricing, which would suggest a price around $50,000.

* Audi will display the Nuvolari quattro coupe concept car at the 2004 Melbourne motor show, which runs from February 27 to March 8. Powered by a 5.0-litre V10 biturbo engine, the Nuvolari previews a production car expected to go head-to-head with the BMW 6 Series and the Mercedes-Benz CLS.