A NOVEL solution to traffic pollution in cities and urban areas will go into Audi showrooms later this year. The A4 Avant Duo, offering a blend of power from a turbodiesel engine and an electric motor, will sell alongside conventional versions of the model in Germany this autumn. Costing DM60,000 - DM16,000 more than the normal, 1.9-litre Avant TDI - the car will also be offered in export markets.

'At the moment, we don't expect it to be built in right hand drive form, but if sales are good and there is sufficient interest from Britain, we could make it available there,' said marketing spokesman Ralf Weichselbaum. 'Volume is limited to just 500 units until we see how people respond to the idea. We can easily raise output to match demand,' said Weichselbaum. On the road, the hybrid offers a choice of power modes but a clever third alternative allows the car to select whichever motive source is suitable.