WHILE it may seem that winter is a million miles away, drivers who fancy becoming owners of the new Audi A7 Sportback quattro, August is the time to put you name down for one.

Audi has bolstered the defences of its A7 Sportback range by introducing more versions of its Quattro all-wheel drive in its acclaimed executive fast-back class and the new 3.0-litre TDI quattro 204PS models will be available to order early next month.

In new standard form the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI will lower the range entry price to £39,995, with the new A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro just above at £41,675.

The 'entry level' V6 TDI engine has until now been offered only in conjunction with front-wheel-drive and the eight-speed multitronic continuously variable transmission. In this form it powers the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 204PS to 62mph from rest in 7.4 seconds and onto a 146mph top speed, while at the same time offering the potential for 55.4mpg fuel economy with low 135g/km CO2 emissions. This configuration, now available from £39,995, will continue alongside the new quattro all-wheel-drive version.

Just as the latest A7 TDI models manage to maintain impressive economy and emissions figures in quattro form, so the new standard specification versions of these models deliver all the key features expected of a high end premium executive car. These include 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, Milano leather upholstery, the Multi Media Interface (MMI) with 6.5-inch colour display incorporating satellite navigation, Audi drive select adaptive dynamics, powered tailgate operation and light and rain sensors.

SE specification continues as before, and adds features such as the Audi Parking System Plus with audible and diagrammatical parking aids, cruise control, heated and electrically adjustable front seats and the Audi Music Interface iPod connection. The top rung belongs to the S line models, which upgrade further to 19-inch alloy wheels, Valcona leather upholstery, S line interior and exterior styling treatments, S line sports seats and S line sports suspension.

A new feature that will be common at all levels is the addition of a third rear three-point seatbelt which will enable the A7 Sportback to seat five adults when required. This will add a further element of practicality to the spacious interior, which can also provide up to 1,390 litres of load space when the split/folding rear seat is deployed.

Elsewhere it is business as usual for the range, which also includes a more powerful 245PS 3.0-litre TDI engine and naturally aspirated 204PS 2.8-litre or supercharged 300PS 3.0-litre petrol units, all of which are linked to quattro all-wheel-drive and S tronic transmission without exception.

Lighter than a conventional steel equivalent by 15%, the streamlined body of the A7 Sportback is mounted on a completely new and exclusive-to-Audi platform employing advanced five link front and trapezoidal link rear suspension. This can be specified with a firmer, 10mm lower sport setting, an even more intensively handling-oriented S line configuration or an extensively revised version of the Audi adaptive air suspension system with three ride settings.

The list of more indulgent luxuries includes comfort seats with heating, cooling and massaging functions, a parallel and perpendicular parking assistant, acoustic glazing, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with 1,300 watts of power, digital TV reception and ambient LED interior lighting. www.audi.co.uk