NEW cars usually arrive showered in slogans such as 'revolutionary', 'advanced' and 'brand new from top to toe'. Not so with the latest incarnation of the A4 compact exec saloon - listen to Audi and there's no fanfare and fireworks in celebration of dramatic changes.
And that is simply because research revealed high devotion from existing customers, not just for the brand but for this particular model, and Audi was not about to turn its back on that loyalty by designing something very different. Consequently, you get a feeling of cosy familiarity rather than exciting innovation when you sit in this fourth-generation A4, deliveries of which start during February.
It's a clever trick because while the atmosphere may seem familiar, everything, of course, has changed; there's a new chassis with a completely new suspension and steering systems, while the technical advances include an upgrading of the all-wheel drive system in the quattro models to improve driving manners still further.
But most tellingly, Audi has tackled the most-often-heard criticism of the A4, that it was cramped for space. The new version is bigger by some margin, now 4,702mm in length (previously 4,586mm) and 1,826mm wide (1,772mm), with a wheelbase extended from 2,642mm to 2,808mm. At last the car has reasonable legroom for those at the back, teamed with useful boot space of 480 litres.
The dimensions - and the car actually stands a fraction lower than its predecessor - also give it a sleeker stance, reflecting the A6 (interestingly, this A4 is now similar in size to the A6 of a few years ago and some of its equipment is drawn from its big sister).
As always with Audi, it's a cool look - understated, certainly, but sophisticated. Again, this is led by that customer loyalty.
'The A4 has always been subtle in exterior design terms,' says Jeremy Hicks, director of Audi UK. 'The new A4 continues this tradition - it is a carefully-judged evolution of the marque designed to appeal to the kind of clients that have made the A4 such an exceptional success.'
A sure style touch has certainly helped Audi cars bound up the popularity charts but it's been teamed with engineering advances, and more are on display in the new A4.
The car arrives with four new or extensively-revised direct injection engines - a 3.2 V6 FSi petrol and three common-rail turbodiesels at 2.0. 2.7 and 3.0 V6 (pointing the way ahead for the VW Group) - with a 1.8 TFSi petrol following close behind. All are available initially in SE trim, S-line arriving in the spring.
A six-speed manual gearbox is generally standard, but the 2.7 diesel offers an updated version of Audi's CVT.
With the typically-Audi firmish set-up, there's a well-balanced feel to the drive and handling, and Auto Drive Select will be available as an option to deliver exactly what you want, with push-button choices of Comfort, Auto or Dynamic settings to govern throttle, steering, transmission and suspension characteristics. Buy in the satnav package and you get a fourth, Individual, setting.
Other options include such advanced safety items as lane assist (a warning if you start to wander) and side assist (a warning of vehicles in your blind spot). Included as standard at SE-trim level are three-zone climate control, an electronic stability programme, automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, front fogs, 17in alloys, 10-speaker sound system, electro-mechanical parking brake and intelligent key.
Seats, which have manual height adjustment for the driver, are in cloth and décor features include brushed aluminium and chrome inlays and highlights and leather grips.
Prices for the Audi A4 SE at launch will start at £23,940 for the 2.0 TDi and top out at £30,290 for the 3.0 TDi Quattro.