The latest A4 displays a handling fluency that would be quite alien to those familiar with its slightly stodgy predecessor.

Nicely weighted and precise steering coupled with significantly improved body control make the car much more wieldy in the corners.

Body roll is kept comfortably in check and the suspension soaks up bumps very tidily. The ride has also been improved, and although it isn’t exactly cosseting, the car displays plenty of poise over bumps and ruts. There’s plenty of grip too, and the car does give you a fair indication of exactly how much you have left in reserve.

The drivetrain is the weak link though. The base model A4 tested here makes use of the 2.0-litre 20 valve four cylinder engine that’s been knocking about for a fair while. It’s reasonably smooth but isn’t especially torquey.

Audi’s excellent Multitronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has its work cut out for it with this engine. When mated to the big 3.0-litre V6 in the A6, the CVT works perfectly, but coupled to the less torquey four, it can struggle a bit in terms of smoothness and responsiveness.

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