A SHOW of support for diesel fuels came from Audi at the show, with a commitment to invest heavily in the fuel as the key to cutting vehicle emissions. Audi's chief executive officer Dr Franz-Joseph Paefgen hammered home the importance of diesel to Audi at the launch of the new A2, which include a new three-cylinder 1.4-litre diesel engine as part of the line-up.

The engine will form the basis of a drive by Audi to produce an engine capable of nearly 100mpg by the end of the year. The three-litre car - so-called because it uses three litres of fuel for every 100 kms travelled - will be launched in the A2 as part of a fuel efficiency programme throughout Audi's parent VW Group, which has already seen Volkswagen produce a 3.0-litre Polo powered by a three cylinder diesel engine.

Paefgen said: 'We now have a 2.5-litre diesel for the A6 and an eight-cylinder diesel for the A8 which meet future European emissions standards. Our leadership in diesel technology has been confirmed with our current range of engines and Audi will remain at the cutting edge of diesel technology in the future.'