AUDI has carried out a clever realignment of its A4 and A6 ranges that appears to offer more for less, which in some ways it does.
However, canny buyers will have to study the small print before taking the plunge if they want to end up quids-in.
This is because although the company is generously giving all of the extras of the SE versions away for no additional money, the cost of the standard car rises in the process.
It means that the cost of the least expensive Audi A4 rises from £18,905 to £19,200 and the price of the cheapest A6 goes up from £24,340 to £25,275.
However, from early January buyers will be offered the Audi A4 SE, which currently costs £19,515 for the same price as the entry-level model, which is a saving of about £300.
Until June next year, the no-cost SE option includes an upgrade from the 16-inch Trapez design alloy wheels normally included in the SE specification to 17-inch, 16-spoke alloys.
It also adds an Audi Concert II radio with single CD player, cruise control, electric rear windows, aluminium window trims and the Audi Driver's Information System.
Standard versions of the A6 saloon and Avant get an alloy wheel upgrade from a 16-inch nine-arm design to a 17-inch five-spoke wheel and a High Gloss Pack that adds aluminium window trim strips, door handle surrounds and sill inserts.
Inside, the standard A6 climate control has been replaced by the more sophisticated Comfort Air Conditioning System Plus which until now has been fitted only to 4.2 V8 quattro models. Additionally A6 2.0 T and 2.0 TDI models gain a six-CD autochanger and CD ROM satellite navigation, which currently cost an extra £1,250.
The cost of upgrading to a DVD-based satellite navigation system, including a higher grade of MMI system with a seven-inch colour monitor replacing the standard monochrome screen, has been reduced to £500.