Next year, 2008, promises to be another busy year for Audi in Ireland with a number of introductions planned. January will see the arrival of the new Audi A4 Saloon, which will become available initially in 2.0-litre TDI and 1.8T turbo powered petrol versions. Other derivatives will launch in due course throughout the year. In summer, the Audi A4 Avant version will be added.

The new Audi A4 will make a January arrival on the Irish market.

Also due in January is the arrival of the new, improved, and top of the range Audi A8, which was previewed at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show. Accompanying it will be volume supplies of the new A5 in 1.8-litre turbo charged version - a model that is expected to account for some 80 per cent of all A5 sales in Ireland.

Later in year, there will be the arrival, in May, of the new Audi A3 Cabriolet as well as the RS6 Saloon and Avant - the fastest road going Audi in history. And finally, in autumn, Audi will close the year with the arrival of their new Q5 SUV.

On the Skoda front, the first of Skoda's 2008 newcomers for which arrival dates have been agreed will be a Fabia Combi Estate, which is due here mid January. This will be followed in spring by a Fabia Combi Scout version. Also due in spring will be eco-friendly Greenline versions of the 1.4-litre diesel engine fitted in Fabia hatchback and Combi estates.

Volkswagen will have three big models beginning with the Tiguan, first versions of which are due in time for January registrations. Billed as a younger brother to the Touareg, the new Tiguan will be offered here initially in two 4x4 wheel drive versions, a 1.4-litre TFSI/150bhp petrol version and a 2.0-litre TDI/140bhp diesel version. These will be followed by an even more powerful 1.4-litre TFSI 4x4 version with 170bhp power output. Production of this version begins in spring with a summer arrival date planned. A 1.4-litre TFSI/150bhp version with 2-wheel drive will also arrive in summer. Six speed manual and DSG gearboxes are available across the range, depending on model choice.

The new Tiguan will be available in three separate lines, Trend & Fun, Sport & Style and Track & Field. It has an imposing frontal appearance with design elements influenced by its larger stable mate the Touareg. In Trend & Fun and Sport & Style versions, models have a front under-bumper ramp angle of 18 degrees - a figure that increases to 28 degrees in Track & Field models. Besides giving this version a more pronounced frontal appearance, this increase in ramp angle provides greater frontal ground clearance to facilitate rougher off-road conditions. In Ireland, it is estimated that some 90 per cent of sales will be accounted for by the Trend & Fun and Sport & Style versions.

A feature of the new Tiguan will be its high level of standard specifications. Standard items will include air conditioning, ESP electronic stability programme, alloy wheels, fully electric all round controls including remote central locking, windows and mirrors, cruise control, leather trim multi-function steering wheel incorporating radio control, front fogs, and radio with front/rear speakers and integrated six CD changer.

Though final prices have yet to be agreed, Volkswagen is guiding an opening price of €36,000 ex works for the 1.4-litre/150bhp petrol version and €40,000 for the 2.0-litre TDI/140bhp diesel version.

Other VW models targeted for launch here in autumn 2008 include the new Scirocco and Passat Coupe. Scheduled to commence production in July, information on both models has yet to be released by VW. Watch this space.

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