WERE we the only ones to cringe at the thought of petrol prices surging up to around $1.50 a litre? With skyrocketing petrol prices rapidly replacing rising real estate prices in everyday conversation, it appears outright horsepower is no longer the "must have" in a new car. Just look at the number of buyers deserting big six-cylinder sedans for fuel-efficient four-cylinders. For many, thriftiness has nudged out power and performance as a number one priority. Which is why the newest European common-rail turbo-diesels are coming into their own – offering not only performance, but without sacrificing fuel economy. The Audis A4's 3.0-litre TDI V6 is just one of these engines. It turns the humble A4 into a road-rocket, while returning around 8.4L/100km and providing a touring range of 750km. If you still think a V8 is the only way to go, hop into the A4 TDI V6.