No sooner do you blink now days and Audi have another new model appearing in their showrooms. Whether it be a sexy V8 S5 coupe, the volume selling A4 range, a frugal diesel in the A3 range or just a car to enjoy driving with the top down like the soon to be released A3 cabrio – Audi are sure to have something for everybody.

The hugely successful Audi Quattro was launched around 28 years ago, but then disappeared at the end of the eighties. Audi have tried to replicate its success since, unsuccessfully until now. The S5 is one sexy, but sinister-looking, performance coupe. The S5 has a flowing character line that bends smoothly along the body sides, but perhaps its most distinctive design cue is its LED daytime running lights. Under the bonnet the S5’s 4.2-litre V-8 kicks out 260kW 440Nm of torque. That’s power you can appreciate every time you accelerate from a stoplight.

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Interior quality and detailing is an Audi strong suit, and the S5 doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Silver-coloured trim encircles the gauges and dash vents, and high-end materials like aluminium; carbon fibre and/or wood are available in addition to the standard piano black accents. The overall effect is a cabin that’s both sporty and elegant.

Moving to more sedate models the new, fourth generation A4 range is built on the same platform as the A5/S5, and has many of the design cues introduced by the A5 range. Audi has tried long and hard to make its A4 as desirable as the BMW 3-Series but hasn’t quite succeeded – at least until now.

As beautifully finished as ever, Audi has ensured the A4 sedan is priced a little lower than its main rivals and is more generous with equipment. Build quality was never in question, but now the A4 offers unrivalled interior space, superb comfort, improved driving dynamics and excellent refinement.

Interior space has improved vastly over the previous A4, so the sedan can now accommodate five adults with plenty of knee room and shoulder room in the back – a result of the longer wheelbase. Fit and finish is still impeccable – and the longer cabin with relatively narrow rear window pillars offers great visibility. The driver’s seat adjusts for height and the steering adjusts for height and reach so it’s easy to get a perfect driving position adding to a fantastic driving experience.

Not only is Audi giving other rivals even more run for their money with their new models, but they also have one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world. The Audi A3 1.9 TDI e, besides being clean, also sips at a combined cycle of 4.5-litre per 100kms. In fact driving from Darwin to Adelaide in its maiden World Solar Challenge voyage, the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e achieved an outstanding average fuel consumption result of just 3.3l/100km, according to official results published by the organisers.

It’s tuned to return excellent fuel consumption rather than outright performance. Yet the A3 still has a 192 km top speed and can sprint from 0-100kms in 11.4 seconds, while in-gear performance is livelier than these figures suggest. Tall gear ratios take the edge off acceleration, and you find yourself changing more frequently than usual. What’s more, there’s a flip side of impressive cruising refinement. Precise steering and a smooth ride complete the dynamic package. No longer is the A3 a Golf dressed up in a party frock, sure they share some components still – but this baby is an individual, and unmistakably Audi.

Talking of individuality, the A3 Cabriolet has just been released in Australia. Audi convertible models generally sport a classic fabric top – and in the case of the Audi A3 Cabriolet this feature lends its profile a note of harmonious elegance and coupé-like sportiness. Its soft top is notable for its light weight and excellent fit. It can be opened hydraulically in just nine seconds; when open, it takes up very little space.

The body structure of this premium convertible from Audi contains a high proportion of high-strength, ultra-high-strength and hot-formed steels, as well as a large number of reinforcing measures that provide maximum rigidity and crash safety. Inside you’ll find the uncompromising build quality, attractive design and exemplary ergonomics that you expect of an Audi. There is ample space here for four occupants. The rear seat backs can be folded down, increasing the luggage capacity from 260 to 674 litres – whether the top is up or down!

These are just a few of the exciting models available, with even more due for release over the next 12 months. It is no wonder that Australia is one of the fastest growing markets for Audi in the world.

AUTO SPECS

S5

• Price: $131,900
• Engine: 4.2 litre V8 petrol, 1.8 litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 2.0 litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 2.0 litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 2.7 litre 6-cyl turbo diesel, 3.0 litre 6-cyl turbo diesel, 3.2 litre 6-cyl petrol
• Power: 260kW, 44oNm; 103kW, 320Nm; 120kW, 225Nm; 147kW, 289Nm; 140kW, 400Nm; 171kW, 450Nm; 195kW, 330Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Fuel: 12.4 litre / 100km

A4

• Price: $45,900-$88,500
• Engine: 2.0 litre 4-cyl petrol
• Power: 96kW, 195Nm; 118kW, 250Nm
• Transmission: CVT, 5-speed manual, 6 speed auto, 6-speed manual
• Fuel: 5.8-9.3 litres / 100km

A3 TDi e

• Price: $38,900
• Engine: 1.9 litre 4-cyl turbo diesel
• Power: 77kW, 250Nm; 147kW, 280Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Fuel: 4.5 litre / 100km

A3 Cabrio

• Price: $49,990-$57,500
• Engine: 1.8 litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 2.0 litre 4-cyl turbo petrol
• Power: 118kW, 250Nm
• Transmission: CVT, 6-speed manual
• Fuel: 7.1-8.3 litres / 100km