It'll be a busy year for the German luxury brand, with a range of model facelifts, updates and new models due in 2012.įirst to arrive will be the company's biggest seller, the new 3-Series sedan, which arrives in February, featuring a new look and a stretched body for extra space. The new 4.0-litre twin-turbo in the V8 - which will also drop the entry price of the GT (currently at $405,719) - is shared with the Audi S6, S7 Sportback and S8 and is good for 373kW and 660Nm. With less power and performance than the 12-cylinder version, the V8 is more about saving fuel for the heavy - and seriously thirsty - Continental GT. July will see the introduction of the much-anticipated Continental GT V8. The open-air cruiser packs a 6.0-litre W12 engine that pumps out 423kW and 700Nm mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Continental GTC Convertible will arrive in March, just in time to escape the heat of summer. The bigger S8 gets a more powerful 383kw/650Nm output and an eight-speed automatic transmission.Īll three cars sportier design touches including a lower ride height, new bumpers and grilles and 19-inch alloy wheels.įollowing the launch of the new Continental GT last year, 2012 will see the introduction of two new variants locally. The S6 and S7 use a 309kW/550Nm version coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The third quarter will also herald the arrival of three sporty new models the S6 sedan, S7 Sportback and S8.Īll three cars are powered by the same all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 but in two different states of tune. Its specification is likely to match the current sedan range with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. Having previously been overlooked, because it was considered unlikely to attract enough customers, Audi is now confident it can make a success of it locally. The Subaru Outback-style crossover will be a new addition to the local Audi range, having previously been an overseas-only proposition.Īnother wagon will also hit local showrooms with the third quarter when the A6 Avant will finally join the A6 sedan on sale locally. The A4 range will expand in the third quarter with the arrival of the A4 Allroad. It will be available with either four or five-seats, and boasts more space in the back seat than the current three-door thanks to a higher roof. The five-door version of Audi's smallest car was unveiled at the recent Tokyo motor show. The new model gets a redesigned exterior and interior, more efficient petrol and diesel engines and more technology.Īnother potentially crucial model for Audi's sale chart hopes launches in Q2, the new A1 Sportback. The second quarter of the year will be crucial to Audi's sales success with the volume-selling A4 getting updated. The style-conscious compact SUV will come with a range of petrol and diesel engines and a starting price in the mid-$40,000 range.Īlso due to launch in the first three months are the updated A5/S5 range and automatic versions of the TT 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI. The highly-anticipated Q3 will arrive in the first quarter to take on the BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque. The controversial Cygnet was initially confirmed but it's understood some are pushing back through fear of damaging the brand with a circa-$60,000 hatchback.Īs for the rest of the range - the V8, Vantage and Rapide - expect updates to some models that will bring additional value and, possibly, some styling tweaks.ĭon't expect any slowdown from the German brand as it continues its fight against BMW and Mercedes-Benz for top luxury honours. The Toyota-based Cygnet city car still hasn't been confirmed for Australia and Drive believes it's unlikely, which is hardly surprising given it's more Toyota than British supercar. Read Drive’s complete guide to all the new cars arriving in 2012.Īfter a busy 2011 this year is expected to be a lot slower for the British brand.
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