High-performance shake-up for Audi

Audi is introducing special edition S-Line variants of the A3 and A4 for 2006 – and cutting the price of the regular high-performance models.

The A4 S line Special Edition gets the 217bhp turbocharged FSI engine that was previously only available in the limited-edition A4 DTM. The car features 18in alloy wheels, Volterra leather seats, black exhaust tail pipes and ventilated cross-drilled front disc brakes. It’s priced at £23,995 and £25,145 in front-wheel drive saloon and Avant estate form, with the respective four-wheel drive models costing £25,395 and £26,545.

The special edition of the A3 S line, available in regular hatch or Sportback variants, offer full Vienna leather upholstery. Priced from £21,795 in front-wheel drive specification (four-wheel drive is also available), the Special Edition offers a saving of around £2000 over a regular S line model with the same options.

The S line shake-up also affects the A6 range. Exterior tweaks to the S line models include a revised front bumper design, automatic headlamp washers, 18in alloy wheels and lowered suspension. Inside, the A6 S lines get front sports seats with electrically adjustable lumbar support and leather trim on seats, steering wheel and gear knob. A6 S line prices start at £28,380, rising to £47,170.

In addition to the special editions, Audi has reduced prices of the regular S line option, to £1550 on A3s (with the exception of the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9-litre TDI models), and £750 on the A4 saloon and Avant. Bodywork tweaks and 18in wheels are now standard on the regular S line models, too.