IT'S an Audi A4 quattro, but not as we know it.
The DTM version of the A4 is a very limited edition that looks as much at home on the race track as on the road.
Which is probably not surprising as it has been developed by the Audi division responsible for the RS4 and RS6 quattros.
This special edition has been produced to commemorate a landslide championship victory for Audi in the 2004 German Touring Car Masters (DTM) and just 250 right-hand-drive examples are being built.
The changes over the standard car make this version look much more muscular and much more aggressive.
The styling kit includes a redesigned front bumper with extra air intakes and a black carbon fibre chin spoiler derived from motor sport.
The car sits on new 18-inch, 15-spoke alloy wheels, which are combined with lowered sports suspension with spring and damper settings unique to this version.
At the rear there is a new style bumper as well as larger diameter 100mm exhaust tailpipes which give a clue to the fact that this is no standard A4.
But it's not just external styling which gives the DTM its sporty personae. The inside is superbly designed with Recaro sports seats all round upholstered in a special Nardia microfibre fabric - a little like a suede finish - with leather side sections.
Leather and Nardia microfibre also covers the three-spoke sports steering wheel, and Nardia is used for the handbrake lever and gear knob.
The sporting theme is continued with carbon fibre inlays from the Audi S4 adding a striking finishing touch to the instrument panel and door trims.
Having gone to so much trouble to make this car look so good from the inside and outside Audi then concentrated on the performance.
The standard 2.0T is no slouch but on this version the engine has been modified to raise power from 200PS to 220PS and torque from 280Nm to 300Nm.
This boosts the top speed from 147 miles per hour to 153mph and reduces the car's 0-62mph acceleration time by 0.1 of a second to 7.1 seconds.
On the road the change of exhaust brings with it a far sportier sound giving a distinctive clue to its performance, which is never lacking.
The six-speed gearbox ensures driving is beautifully fluid and while this is no RS4 the instant response to the accelerator makes it a delight to drive. I found that sharp response particularly useful in city traffic when negotiating busy islands during the evening rush hour.
Because of the four-wheel-drive system of quattro it means all the power can be put down instantly. The lowered suspension is firm but it doesn't really detract from the comfort of the car and it certainly ensures that its grip to the road is tenacious.
Like all A4s this one has sensible space inside for five passengers and a good family sized boot, making it an ideal combination of performance and family car.
FAST FACTS
Audi A4 DTM
Price: £29,980
Mechanical: 220bhp, 1,984cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 153mph
0-62mph: 7.1 secs
Combined mpg: 31
Insurance group: 18
CO2 emissions: 218g/km
BiK rating: 30%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust