Reliable. Understated. Classy. All of these descriptions spring to mind with the Audi A4. But bling? Well, that's something new.

The latest incarnation of Audi's popular mid-sized saloon boasts an amazing set of daytime running lights under the main headlamps – like a string of glowing pearls, they curve seductively around for vital visual verve.

Once the exclusive property of the high performance Audis, the running lights now adorn the A4 and, frankly, give the model a welcome touch of character. It's subtle but still incredibly eye-catching and, of course, does have a genuine safety function, by making the car more visible on dull days.

But the 2008 A4 is much, much more than just a set of funky lights.
For those who really know the A4, it's probably more of a shock to find that the slightly cramped previous model has been extended in length by a whopping 12 cms and now boasts class-leading interior space.

Rear passengers get most of the benefit, with bags of head and shoulder room, and boot space is excellent, with more than 480 litres available.

The long, elegant saloon is slim but muscular – rather like a well-honed athlete – and is particularly impressive in its beautiful, sweeping side profile, though the massive shield-shaped front grille and air dam vents are equally visually exciting.

You'd expect any A4 to be well screwed together and this new model is right up to par. Even before you get in, the colour-coded, solid door handles are chunky and tactile. Closer inspection of the interior confirms faultless workmanship, high-grade textiles and soft-touch plastics, which all give the car an ambience and quietly classy feel.

All four doors balance open impressively at a number of angles and there are no cost-cutting measures anywhere – even the console box lid is really solidly made and wonderfully engineered.

A minimalist, slimline dash allows good forward vision and keeps the driver in touch with front-end action, though the speedo numbering is surprising confusing.

A central digital info panel gives you all the data you need at a glance – in my case it was gratifying to see that there was still an estimated 525 miles before the next fill-up, even after a week's motoring.

But Audi is in danger of flummoxing some drivers. The six-CD changer is complicated and over-fussy and there are just too many choices to be made on the move from the centrally-placed master button – nav, info, car, set-up, tel, name, media, radio and all the subsequent sub-sections of each category are a little mind-boggling when you're trying to drive at the same time.

But the A4 is supremely comfortable, with large, deep sports seats that shore you up supremely well in all the right places and are infinitely adjustable.

The 2.0 TDI model I tested is likely to form the backbone of the A4 range. The new common-rail diesels are among the elite of current diesel cars, both with their smoothness of delivery and petrol-like responses.

Big amounts of torque means that the turbo-diesel pulls happily in a high gear at a low speed, cutting the need for too much gearchanging and the A4 gallops along at a fair old lick, with impressive acceleration even when you put your foot down in fourth or fifth.

A six-speed manual gearbox is notchy, wristy and very satisfying, though I found the test car's heavy clutch tiring.

The previously slightly under-involving predecessor has now been superseded by a much sharper and better balanced A4, which now boasts matchless precision, sharp steering and effortless, graceful progress.

A tight lock also makes manoeuvring and parking easy.
Come resale time, it's reassuring to know that the A4 is forecast to have class-best retained values and, this combined with the car's smarter looks, increased space and enhance driving pleasure, makes the saloon an even more desirable package.

At a glance

• All-new fourth generation Audi A4 range from £23,940-£30,290.


• 2.0TDI model (143PS) accelerates to 62mph in 9.4 seconds and on to a 134mph top speed.


• Excellent fuel consumption (37.7, 65.7 and 51.4 for urban, extra-urban and combined mpg).


• All-new chassis with repositioned front axle, all-new steering.


• Longest wheelbase in class giving reduced overhangs for optimised weight distribution and much improved cabin space.


• Advanced features include Audi Drive Select, enabling tailoring of throttle, steering, transmission and suspension characteristics to suit driver preferences.


• Majority of models equipped as standard with six-speed manual gearbox.


• Most powerful petrol and TDI versions equipped with latest generation quattro four-wheel drive system, with option of an extensively revised, faster-shifting tiptronic stepped automatic.

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