German car-maker Audi on Tuesday kicked off an extravagant four-week launch for its new A4 sedan - blowing a cool $2 million, the highest spent on a car launch here.

Taking place on the Singapore Airshow grounds in Changi, the launch drew over 1,000 Audi owners who were invited to test the car in a makeshift circuit on an exapnsive tarmac facing the sea.

There is also driving training, conducted by Audi instructors from Germany, at $250 a pop per person. Audi hopes to attract around 2,000 participants.

Audi Singapore's managing director Reinhold Carl said: 'Nearly 50 per cent of our sales in Singapore are A4's. This year, we target sales of more than 1,100 cars - far more than 1,100, I hope - and the new A4 is crucial to our success.'

Japan's Toyota is giving the Singapore Motorshow a miss for the first time this year to focus on activities connected to the inaugural SingTel Singapore Grand Prix in September.

The Straits Times understands regional office Toyota Motor Asia Pacific is setting aside a sizeable budget for Paddock Club tickets for the race. At $7,500 each, they are the priciest available.

Toyota distributor Borneo Motors is also spending money on 'several promotional activities' connected to F1.

'We have a lot of things lined up, but not all the details are out yet,' said Borneo's marketing director Tony Tan.