ONE person’s dream car is another’s nightmare, so which of those is this to you?

IMAGINE a luxury car that nips to 60mph in well under eight seconds and can cruise comfortably all day at more than twice the legal motorway maximum.

Imagine if that same car could do more than 30mpg, and would comfortably travel from the Borders to Brighton and back on a single tank of fuel.

Too good to be true? In theory, yes, but in reality such a car has just arrived in the form of a new diesel-powered AUDI A8.

It is a remarkable combination of a large, lightweight limousine and a powerful new six cylinder three-litre diesel engine.

The result is a car as big as an S-Class Mercedes or Jaguar XJ saloon that offers the performance of a Porsche whilst being as frugal as a Focus.

It is the first car to meet tough new emission regulations that do not even come into force for diesels until 2006.

The diesel engine is mated to a six-speed Tiptronic transmission, and with a massive 450 Nm of pulling power linked to the A8‘s lightweight all-aluminium body, the 150mph performance is achieved.

Whose dream car? Those in search of a supremely comfortable saloon with awesome performance and incredible economy for a car of this size.

Whose nightmare? Anyone without the necessary £47,380 when the newcomer goes on sale here in April.

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AUDI is to expand its RS 4 range with the addition of convertible and estate models to add to the existing saloon range.

The RS 4 quattro Avant is up for grabs at £51,780 and the RS 4 quattro Cabriolet has just gone on sale at £59,580, although deliveries do not start until late summer.

It is the first RS range in AUDI’s history to offer a choice of three body styles and makes the RS 4 the world’s fastest and most powerful compact executive saloon, four-seater cabriolet and estate car.

The specification of the new models is broadly similar to the RS 4 quattro saloon, with the addition of matt aluminium roof rails for the Avant and, for the cabriolet, a six-CD changer, DVD satellite navigation and a change from Valcona leather upholstery to Silk Nappa leather with contrast piping.

The non-turbo 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine seen first in the RS 4 quattro saloon provides the new Avant and cabriolet versions with a maximum of 420bhp at a screaming 7,800rpm.

Power is transmitted through a six-speed manual gearbox, giving the Avant and cabriolet a 0-60mph time just one tenth of a second down on the saloon model at 4.9 seconds. All three versions are electronically limited to a 155mph maximum road speed.

Throttle response can be maximised at the touch of a button on the steering wheel that adjusts the throttle control electronics when exceptionally quick driving is required. At the same time, the sports button also automatically inflates the driver’s seat bolsters in saloon and Avant models for firmer support.

The RS 4s look the part too, being 30mm lower than the standard model with a wider track front and rear, an enlarged front bumper with extra air intakes and bloated exhaust pipes.

Riding on distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels framing 18-inch disc brakes and fronted by the new AUDI single frame grille, the attention-grabbing body of the newcomers cloaks an equally dramatic interior. The tapered sports steering wheel, bucket seats and engine starter button combine with extensive carbon fibre trim to add more than a touch of racing car looks.

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THE Avant estate versions of AUDI’s latest A6 saloon models will go on sale in the UK in spring, with prices revealed this week.

There will be four V6 versions initially, with the entry model being the 2.4-litre petrol version at £26,500. The more powerful 3.2-litre model will weigh in at £32,600.

There will be a choice of two diesels on offer too. They are the 2.7 V6 at £28,400 and the 3.0 V6 costing £32,300.

There will also be a V8 petrol version, of 4.2-litre capacity, with prices starting at £44,800 and rising to £46,265 for the flagship S line version.

All of the petrol models come with AUDI’s four wheel drive quattro option, which adds about £1,300 and is also available on the more powerful of the two diesels.

Adaptive four-wheel air suspension is also available across the range.

The 1.05 metre-wide load area offers up to 1,660 litres of carrying capacity, with a two-tier load floor incorporating a folding and locking top level to prevent loads from sliding in transit.

There is a plastic tray built into the level below for stowing muddy boots, which can be wiped clean.

There is a new cargo securing system using two rails recessed into the floor and four sliding, adjustable and lockable lashing eyes.

This system can be combined with a cycle rack that is attached to the floor-mounted rails to take a couple of bikes.

In common with the A6 saloon range, the 14 new A6 Avant models available from launch will be offered in either comfort-oriented SE or sporting S line trim.

Both include cruise control, a ten-speaker CD system, climate control and automatic lights and wipers.

The S line adds 18-inch alloy wheels, part leather-upholstered sports seats, sports suspension and an upgraded braking system for some models.

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AUDI is claiming record economy figures and a range of more than 600 miles between fill-ups for the latest version of its little A2 model, which arrives in the New Year.

Claiming the best economy figure for any premium sector vehicle at 66mpg, the 90bhp AUDI A2 1.4 TDI becomes available to order this month.

Priced from just over £15,000, the three per cent ‘Benefit in Kind’ tax supplement for company car users is avoided, putting it in the lowest tax bracket. Despite the tax saving on environmental grounds, this new engine offers spirited performance, accelerating to 60mph in 10.9 seconds,and reaching a top speed of almost 120mph.

Appearing for the first time in the A2 is a distinctively revised new front grille, still incorporating the folding service flap, which provides easy access to the dipstick and filler caps for the engine oil and washer fluid.

A further three new paint colours have been introduced, bringing the total to 13. Also available for the first time are 16-inch five-star spoke alloy wheels.

The A2 is the first volume production car to feature a bodyshell built entirely from aluminium, reducing its weight by more than 40 per cent compared to its steel counterparts.

Its biggest rival is the Mercedes A-Class, which in 1.7-litre diesel form matches it on most counts, and costs about the same.

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