Audi is claiming pricing of the new A4, on sale in the UK from March 1, 2001, will make the car among the most price competitive in the premium sector.

Prices for the petrol range, which features new lightweight aluminium 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre engines with 130bhp and 220bhp respectively, now start at £18,640 on-the-road and run to £24,840 OTR for the A4 3.0-litre. More models will be added to the range next year, after the March launch.

New engines in the diesel range include a 130bhp evolution of the 115bhp TDI unit, a revised 155bhp version of the original 150bhp 2.5TDI V6 unit and the 180bhp 2.5TDI V6 until now only seen in the A6 and Allroad Quattro.

The OTR price for the top of the range 180bhp A4 2.5TDI quattro Sport will be £24,340.

Standard equipment on all models will include alloy wheels, Electronic Brake Force Distribution with Brake Assist adn front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, electronic climate control, electric front windows and mirrors, remote controlled central locking, a Chorus RDS radio cassette and ABS anti-lock braking.

Standard equipment enhancements over the outgoing model include the Electronic Stability Programme and Audi's Sideguard head airbag protection system.

An Audi spokesman said: "In addition to its already well documented breakthroughs in quality, dynamics and comfort, the all-new Audi A4 will also be bolstered by an exceptionally competitive structure when it goes on sale.

"All models are now among the most price competitive in the premium car sector, despite offering more equipment and improved on the road performance."