Audi has blamed currency exchange rates for increasing its prices, but says in a number of cases the increases are offset by enhanced equipment levels.

The average 2% price increases across the range will come into force from Tuesday May 25.

The German manufacturer said customer orders placed up to and including May 24 will be price protected

However, the recently announced prices for A1, RS5, A8 and R8 Spyder will remain as originally advertised.

The three-door A3 and five-door A3 Sportback hatchbacks are subject to an increase of 1.9%, the A4 Saloon and Avant rise by 2.4% (in SE form) and the A6 Saloon and Avant by 2%.

A5 Sportback, Coupe and Cabriolet models increase by 2.5%, 2.4% and 2.2%, Q5 and Q7 by 2% and 0.6%, TT Coupe and Roadster by 0.9% and R8 V8 and V10 by 3%.

In a number of cases the increases go hand-in-hand with improvements. The TT range, for example, has been facelifted and features a new and more efficient Turbo FSI petrol engine and recuperation technology to further boost economy virtually.

The Q5 gets an engine start-stop system for four-cylinder models that also works in favour of improved fuel economy, and the Q7 also gets more frugal new petrol and TDI engines and a new eight-speed tiptronic transmission.