By all accounts, the folks at Audi are pretty busy with more than enough new projects to keep the design department busy.

The A6 Avant has been launched. The new RS4 has been all but signed off. The next RS6 development process is well underway. A facelift for the A8 is proceeding apace. So, your're probably wondering what's next? Let me tell you.

The latest edition of Car Magazine has an interesting feature on Audi's emerging platform strategy. Audi might not have adopted rear-wheel drive but a whole host of fundamental rethinks on chassis design should certainly spice up the range's front-wheel drive handling characteristics. In summary B8 platform will offer:

1. Gearbox moves to rear end of transmission to improve weight distribution
2. Engines move behind front wheels to improve weight distribution and steering
3. Front axle moves forward with front overhang reduced significantly
4. 4 wheel-drive models get 40:60 power bias, i.e. 60% of power goes to rear wheels
5. Fundamental rethink about supsension design to create a more supple better riding range of cars

The net effect of these changes is that entry level front-wheel drive models will be as fail-safe as they have always been, but 4-wheel drive models will have a weight balance and handling dynamics much closer to those of BMW and MB, but with the added benefit of better traction and more predictable handling in less favorable conditions.

The first models to appear with this new platform are the A5 Coupe and Convertibe (based on the Nuvolari concept), pencilled in for 2007. The next A4 and A6 will also be built on this platform. (The Le Mans mid-engine supercar has also been given the green light for production and will be launched as the RS9.)

According to Car, this is the biggest shift in engineering focus at Audi since Aluminium was first mooted for the A8. Let's just hope and pray this makes Audis not just as good as their German competitors but well-ahead of increasingly threatening Japanese luxury car brands.

Of course, the other thing we can look forward to is body styling that is designed with the new grille incorporated from initial concept stage instead of added as an afterthought. It should certainly look less conspicuous and more organic.