The all new and much larger Audi A4 saloons might be classed as ‘upper medium’ sector cars with ‘premium’ positioning but size wise the newcomer is almost as large as the previous Audi A6.

The main sellers in this segment are the BMW 3 Series and the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, all larger than the models they replaced, and all from German manufacturers.
The new Audi A4 is 4,703mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,808mm, both longer than its main 3 Series and C-class competitors. The A4 is wider too at 1,826. This means much more rear legroom at 909mm than both it rivals and 480 litres of boot space, again the best of the three.

The all-new bodyshell is 10pc lighter than the outgoing A4 range and it is has 5pc greater torsional rigidity. The bodyshell is constructed of 30pc high strength steel. Some engines are more powerful and some models are faster, but overall the new range has 15pc better fuel economy with 15pc lower emissions.
But advances in bringing the latest technologies to the customers does not stop with the body construction. All the engines are Euro5 compliant, all the petrol engines are direct injection, all the diesel units are common-rail and all the four cylinder diesel units are turbocharged.
Now technology doesn’t come cheap. Priced from £22, 590 the new A4 saloons are 2.7pc more expensive than the models they replace but with their added specification they are actually 3.2pc better value said Audi this week.
The SE variant saloons are first to market in February and standard specification includes three zone climate control, multifunction steering wheel and on-board driver information computer, 17-inch alloy road wheels, a 180 Watts, 10 speaker Audi sound system, split folding rear seats with automatic boot opening which makes the saloon even more versatile, automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, daytime running lights, (LED R8 style are an option), electronic stability programme, front and rear foglights, alarm, aluminium interior trim detailing, electrically operated windows and door mirrors.
There is a host of extra cost technical options that can be ordered including Audi Drive Select. This allows the driver to tune the driving characteristics of the vehicle to their choice with Comfort, Auto and Dynamic settings.
But if the satellite navigation package is taken as another option, then an Individual setting is added where the driver can tailor in their own exact handling requirements and these cover suspension, steering and throttle response settings. Other options include radar controlled Side and Lane Assist which warns of approaching vehicles in blind spots as well as approaching a slowing vehicle in front.
The new Audi A4’s classy design comes as standard as does the beautifully crafted interior and supreme build quality.   The larger bodyshell now has sharper styling lines and it looks muscular on the road. The rounded bland shape has gone. The much improved interior space will be enjoyed by all but in particular rear sear passengers. This is a serious car and deserves serious consideration by more and more customers wanting a slice of the Audi brand image.
Star model in the saloon line-up, and it will be in the Avant range, is the 2.0-litre TDI SE priced at £23,940. Nearly half of the customers will go for this engine and the SE specification makes the most financial sense both for the purchase price and the related company car tax bill.
The four-cylinder engine is a huge improvement, indeed it bears no comparison with the current VW 2.0-litre TDI unit. Now of common-rail design, with the usual turbocharger, this unit is very quiet, no rattles and no harshness. With 143PS of power (141bhp) and 320Nm of torque from 1,750rpm the engine pulls strongly, it doesn’t get stressed or noisy yet it remains really very responsive and flexible.
In its way it is just as impressive as the new A4 itself. Top speed is 133mph, 0-62mph is covered in 9.4 seconds and the published average fuel consumption is 51.3mpg although our test drive on fantastic mountain roads with little or no other traffic reduced that average figure to 37.2mpg, but we were pushing the new A4 hard just to see how good it was. The engine is mated with a slick 6-speed manual transmission. Automatic transmission options, both CVT and torque converter types, will be available on various models in the A4 range.
The 2.7 TDI and 3.0 TDI quattro engines and drive-trains were also available at the media launch. Petrol models are still in production.
The 2.7 V6 unit returned 26.9mpg and the 3.0-litre V6 with quattro all-wheel drive 27.2mpg, which rather tells a story. The 2.7-litre unit has to be worked harder to get the best out of it while the larger 3.0-litre unit has the torque and power to take it all in its stride and even powering all four wheels returns better mpg figures.
However the star of the show is the 2.0-litre TDI model. As for handling, like all front wheel drive Audi’s understeer is always present but the grip is predictable. Initial reports from an early press launch held with left hand drive models in Sardinia was that the new A4’s ride comfort was suspect with the suspension being bouncy and unable to absorb potholes and poor road surfaces.
The SE versions we tried didn’t suffer in the same way. The ride comfort was excellent, handling was well balanced and the suspension absorbed holes and ripples in the tarmac effortlessly. I would suggest that the S Line specification will provide for a firmer ride and the bigger optional wheels on offer should be avoided.

So which is best, the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class? There is no definitive answer; it’s too close to call.
The Audi has the best image for most people, the best interior quality and design, the most passenger space and the best residual values. The BMW has the sportier drive because it is rear wheel drive layout and the C-Class has the most desirable traditional brand values for some people. Perhaps the A4 has the most plus points.

Audi A4 Saloon 2.0 TDI SE. Price: £23,940. Engine/transmission. All new 2.0-TDI common-rail turbodiesel 143PS, 320Nm from 1,750rpm, 6-speed manual gearbox, front wheel drive. Performance: 133mph, 0-62mph 9.4 seconds, 51.3mpg (37.2mpg actual), CO₂ 144g/km, VED Band C £115. Company car tax: 18pc. Insurance group: 12. 

For:
Just about everything, more passenger space, classy interior design, build quality, image, new 2.0-litre TDI engine, handling refinement. 

Against:
High option costs will push up the final price, don’t go for the bigger wheels if you want ride comfort, wind noise from the front doors.