Audi has never been backward in coming forward about the capabilities of its cars – but this was ridiculous. Sitting beside me, Jochi Kleint, the former European rally champion, had selected reverse gear, floored the throttle and was sending the new Audi A4 3.0litre TDI quattro hurtling backwards across the loose surface of a former military airfield in Sardinia. Whatever next? Shouldn’t have asked. In one smooth movement that took less than two seconds, he spun the car through 180 degrees, shifted from reverse into second . . . and there we were, tyres scrabbling for grip, accelerating hard in the opposite direction.

Not the sort of thing you might expect from a diesel A4 but with the latest version, on sale next March, Audi is putting over the message that it has taken the car to a new level of dynamism. The A4’s arch-rivals in the compact premium sector are the BMW 3 Series and the outstandingly impressive Mercedes-Benz C-Class, so it needs to be special. Longer and wider than the previous version, with a wheelbase stretched to almost 111 inches, its on-road image has been enhanced, with clear styling links to the elegant A5 Coupé. Both share the same chassis but thankfully the A4 has far more efficient packaging. Its high-quality interior is roomy and the designers have acknowledged that adults do sit in the back of cars and that they have legs.

Driving position is excellent and the car’s quiet interior mirrors much of the design and very high quality of the luxury A8. This is good news but what generations of A4s have lacked (except for the really sporty S and RS versions) has been thoroughly convincing dynamics; some understeering and rolling too much on winding roads, and the steering has not been the best. Later versions improved but were still not up to BMW levels.
Now the picture has changed . . . at a price. Although the A4 range enters at a competitive £22,590 for the 1.8litre petrol turbo, that does not include the new, tempting but expensive Audi Drive Select (ADS) system that in Dynamic mode takes the A4 into a higher realm of responsiveness. It tautens the suspension but also sharpens the steering with a higher ratio for quicker response. Throttle response is also quicker. The whole package is a cool £1,700 but can be specified in a simpler form. Even without it the A4 is a much improved car dynamically and will satisfy many buyers with its ride and handling combination. But spend the money and that difficult to define thing called “sportiness” that car companies bang on about becomes more of a reality.

The most powerful A4 is the 3.2 quattro (£29,680) with 261bhp and 0-62mph time of 6.2sec. With ADS at work and V6 engine growling, the car got an “A” for action. The Kleint 3.0litre diesel with 500Nm of torque was also impressive, but it is only available initially with a manual gearbox.
At launch, the 2.7litre TDI quattro SE is the sole auto. Its continuously variable multitronic system is fine once it gets the car moving. However, there is a brief but worrying lag from standstill before the action starts that would worry me when joining a busy roundabout. The 141bhp 2.0litre diesel performs competently, the ride is excellent but the handling a little soft without ADS. Its 51.3mpg (combined) economy and 133mph potential will almost certainly make it the best selling A4.

The standard 1.8litre turbo petrol TFSI is a fine A4 solution. It feels well balanced even without ADS, gets to 62mph in 9.4sec with a combined fuel consumption of 39.7mpg. At 169 g/km, though, CO2 emissions are four grams above an important tax break-point for company car buyers.
Rapid S and RS versions of the A4 are planned plus lower-powered additions to the range. Further options include mirror blind spot and unintentional lane change warning systems, at £700 each. An Avant estate arrives next year. Audi has upped the stakes in the compact premium sector and BMW and Mercedes will be increasingly anxious.
Specification
Car Audi A4 1.8 TFSI
Engine 158bhp 1.8litre turbocharged petrol, 250Nm torque at 1,500 to 4,500rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Performance 0-62mph in 8.6sec, top speed 139mph
Fuel consumption (comb) 39.7mpg
CO2 emission 169 g/km
Price £22,590
On sale March 1, 2008
Alternatives
BMW 3 Series Quality, capability, ho-hum styling
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sport version looks very special, drives superbly, a significant new arrival
Volvo S60 Handsome, roomy but unexciting
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