For those au fait with the A4 lineage, the 2016 update of this model may look oddly familiar. This is in part due to the involvement of designer Wolfgang Egger, whose aesthetic is in clear evidence here – as it was on previous A4s. Egger has since moved aside for Marc Lichte, Audi's new head of design, but not before all the molds and toolings were ordered for the 2016 version of this car.
And so Lichte had few options for making his mark on the bodywork of the new A4 – although he did add a deep line running from the bonnet along the side.
Larger
However, upon closer inspection some fundamental changes have been made. It's certainly bigger than previous incarnations, thus offering more leg and head room. It also delivers completely new seats with updated head rests which can be adjusted vertically as well as horizontally.
Lighter
The current penchant among car designers for weight-saving has been given full expression in the latest A4 – where even the carpets are ultra-lightweight. Indeed, despite being larger, it weighs a full 120kg less than the previous model, making it lighter than key rivals such as the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar XE.
Driver Assists Galore
For the technophobes among us, the A4 could be a tad confusing. Some of the numerous features can be controlled any one of four ways – from the steering wheel, the central capstan, the touchscreen or by voice.
But what features they are. There's Predictive Efficiency Assistance which aims to save fuel by anticipating hills, corners and junctions with the help of satnav data. Lane departure warnings are delivered by Active Lane Assist, which works with Stop&Go adaptive cruise control to provide Traffic Jam Assist – a system that can basically drive the car for you at speeds of up to 40mph. It also boasts pre-sense city braking for spotting objects and pedestrians at up to 53mph; pre-sense basic braking; attention-assist; and cross-traffic alert.
All this near-autonomous wizardry is made possible by a range of cameras, ultrasonic and radar sensors that might leave Google, Apple and other driverless car developers a little hot under their collars; Audi has created some seriously impressive autonomous technology here.
But these most helpful of features are dependent on a gargantuan spending spree on the options list; an entry-level model will demand a more hands-on, old-fashioned approach to driving.
And if you did buy this vast array of driver assists, you may need to spend a month with your nose in the manual before you even glanced at that comfy driver's seat. For instance, to engage these piloting systems you need to set up smart cruise control on one steering column stalk and adjust lane keeping assist on another. “Fast react” steering mode must also be engaged in order to preclude any lane marking breaches.
Engines
Given the company car reputation of the Audi A4, most UK buyers will be looking at the 2.0-litre, four cylinder diesel, which emits CO2 levels as modest as 95g/km.
Gearboxes
Along with a six-speed manual and a seven-speed twin clutch auto, buyers can choose an eight-speed regular automatic on some models.
Ride quality
Reviewers have praised the new A4's suspension, which delivers a smoother ride and better control over bumpy surfaces. The cabin is also astonishingly quiet.
The ultimate compact executive class?
The new A4 is larger and lighter than the previous model – and it bristles with effective technology. Indeed, it's hard to find a 2016 A4 review that delivers a verdict below 4.5 out of 5. As such, key rivals Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Jaguar XE and Lexus IS should feel by no means secure in this highly competitive segment.
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