FOR an extra £1,400 you can have Audi's impressive A4 compact executive car, saloon or Avant, sexed-up with a Sports pack.
Under the direction of the company's performance-car division, the A4 gains eye-catching sills and skirts, 17inch, five-spoke alloys, body-coloured this and thats, a spoiler and enlarged air intakes in an emboldened face.
Inside too, the car warms to the theme with front sports seats and leather grips, while underneath it all, naturally, is a sports suspension.
In fact, the ride is not rock solid, as you might expect, given Audi's traditional penchant for firmness. In the interests of comfort things were relaxed a bit when the latest A4 was introduced, and that's reflected in the Sport, to the point where the car can actually jiggle on undulating surfaces.
But only those who like their back bones rattled will be disappointed at the settings and the car is in no way compromised where it matters.
Whip through a bend and the Sport clings magnetically to a tight line, with nary a hint of rear end twitch. You can sense the latest A4's improved rigidity in the galvanised body and it's an impressive drive.
That's furthered by fine feedback through the steering, a stability programme which includes traction and anti-yaw systems, and, in the test car, a crisp-action six-speed manual gearbox.
That was teamed in this particular car with the 187bhp 1.8 turbo engine, which was recently upgraded again so that pulling power is now a considerable 177lb ft, delivered from under 2,000 revs. Short of get-up-and-go you are not.
There's a top speed of 147mph available to you and, more usefully, the Sport is a sprinter - off the blocks and to 62mph in just over eight seconds. In the light of this, the average economy of 33mpg is not bad and over a week of mainly motorway driving I recorded a healthy 40mpg.
Not only does the car handle this power well but it does so peacefully. What little cabin noise there is from the drive train to the twin tail pipes is pleasant and sound from wind or the low-profile tyres has virtually been eliminated.
The biggest bonus for occupants is the space generated by the enlarged new A4. This used to be an embarrassment, especially at the rear, but the extra dimensions have made a noticeable difference, particularly the extra four centimetres of knee room.
The ergonomics all round are pretty good, with electric lumbar adjustment among the front sports seats' variations.
Cabin styling and sense is one of Audi's signatures, and while the dash look is perhaps not one of its best efforts, it still shows up the competition while being very functional. The inserts which continue into the doors are attractive and the red lighting of the steel-ringed dials is always a dramatic winner.
Kit levels, which include a full array of airbags, are, in the main, what you would hope for, although electric rear windows and a driver information system are on the options list.
More predictably, this also offers leather upholstery, satnav and communications systems, heated front seats and quite a bit more, if you have money to burn.
The A4 Sport saloon is so well thought out that it's a surprise that it stumbles right at the end. A super boot, big enough to take sizeable objects has been supplied but you can't get them through the ill-shaped entrance. The big bumper partly responsible for this also generates a deep boot lip.
The car is also weak in providing cabin stowage space.
If you can live with that you'll find the A4 Sport a joy - well-built, lovely to drive and a looker that will definitely wow the neighbours.
FAST FACTS
Audi A4 1.8T Sport Saloon
Price: £23,055
Mechanical: 187bhp, 1,781cc 4 cyl DOHC with turbocharger driving front wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 147mph
0-62mph: 8.2 secs
Combined mpg: 32.8
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 209g/km.
BiK rating: 25%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust