"Posted by Paul Horrell at 10:00AM on Thursday 07 February, 2008

Good grief, this thing is complicated. I'm in a top-of-the range version of the new Audi A4. And I mean top of the range. Apart from the V6 TDi engine (wonderfully smooth) and the quattro drive (reassuring and secure), it's got programmable adaptive dampers and an 'intelligent steering system', the latter two controlled by the insanely busy multimedia controller.
Now when BMW does active steering, it basically changes its ratio according to speed. But the Audi can alter its characteristics according to all sorts of other inputs. Including whether you've got it switched on or not. Yes, you can cut it out.
So, of course, I switched back and forth between the two states. Swung the wheel, tackled corners, twitched it on the motorway. And honestly couldn't tell the difference.
I also messed about with the suspension. This did have an effect. It went from too-harsh to much-too-harsh.
Oh dear. Audi can do sporty cars brilliantly - like the RS4 and the R8, cars that handle well yet are fluent down a bumpy road. And face it, most of the roads in this country that are any fun also happen to be bumpy. But on the A4 we get decent handling with a horrible ride. This is a diesel saloon, chaps. Think about who'll buy it. Think. A diesel saloon. Soften it off!
Oh, and by the way, even though it will corner like a mad thing, you don't really want to, because that oddball 'intelligent' steering denies you any intelligence. You can't feel the road at all.
So I had a crack in the one everyone will buy, the 2.0TDi with front-drive. Ah, that's better. Without the multimedia controller, the radio knobs are actually on the radio. Without the intelligent steering, the connection to the road is better. Without the adaptive dampers, the chassis feels more natural. Without slippery leather, the cabin is more comfy and welcoming.
The 2.0 is a good-looking, well-made car that's straightforward (though not inspirational) to drive. Don't over-complicate it. "

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