Audi has tried long and hard to make its A4 as desirable as the BMW 3-Series but hasn't quite succeeded. At least until now. While the BMW may still have the edge on ultimate driver appeal, the 2008 A4 is a better all rounder. As beautifully finished as ever, Audi has ensured the A4 saloon is priced a little lower than its main rivals and is more generous with equipment.

The steering is well weighted and accurate and there's a high level of grip. But although the handling is safe and secure, when you push hard you discover that the A4 lacks the finesse and balance that come as standard with the rear-wheel-drive 3-Series. Enter a bend too enthusiastically and the nose pushes wide in a way that no amount of easing off the throttle will cure. The A5 behaves exactly the same.

With a wishbone upfront and independent suspension at the rear, a well and truly caned A4 dismisses surface imperfections to maintain its course. But it’s still very much an Audi: a nose-heavy beast with only slightly more steering feel than a radio controlled model car. One giant road dip in a tight right-hander reminds us that the Audi A4 remains the long distance commuter’s sports sedan. A4’s good looks and superior interior make it an entirely defensible choice. But that doesn’t change the fact that Quattro is Audi’s Unique Selling Point.

The new A4 gets many new electronic and assistance features found in larger BMW and Mercedes models. Features such as adaptive shock absorbers, seat fans, adaptive airbags/belts, adaptive cruise control, radio-operated key, variable steering as well as other Audi features found only in A6 and A8 models which include MMI and a 10-channel 505-Watt Bang & Olufson 14 speaker stereo system. Lastly, for an added touch of the Audi R8, the xenon plus headlight option includes 14 white LEDs as day-time driving lights.

A new driver assistance feature known as Audi Drive Select provides two sport settings for the adaptive suspension. In addition, four other pre-configured modes include comfort, auto, dynamic or individual (only available with MMI option) settings. Drive Select influences accelerator pedal response, tiptronic shift points, power steering assistance, steering ratio and electronically adjustable shock absorbers. For safety, Audi's new Lane Assist uses a camera in the windshield to monitor lane position above 65 km/h and alerts the driver by vibrating the steering wheel when a lane changes occurs without using the turn signal. Audi also has Side Assist which uses radar sensors in the front and rear bumpers. The system warns the driver of vehicles in blind spots or fast approaching from behind. The driver is warned by a flashing LED on the outside housing of the side view mirror.

One of the biggest challenges Audi faced in the development of this successor was driving dynamics. With an engine position which sat just forward of the front axel of the previous generation, equilibrium was adversely affected resulting in an understeer problem. Compared to its German rivals which are rear-wheel-drive biased, Audi was at a disadvantage. However, with this all-new MLP platform the front axel gets moved forward by 154mm for a much improved axel-weight distribution. Also aiding weight distribution, Audi has moved the transmission differential forward just behind the engine but in front of the clutch or torque converter.

Despite the bigger size of the body, the new A4 body shell weighs an amazing 10% less than its predecessor. Audi has accomplished this through the use of new high-strength steel grades. Aerodynamics also improve to 0.27 drag coefficient, which is 3 to 5% lower (depending on model) although the frontal area is slightly wider. For Audi's compact executive to truly succeed in giving BMW a bloody nose, the A4 will have to prove its worth where it counts - on the road. And within minutes it's clear the new car is vastly better than the old one.

Here are some videos of new Audi A4.....
We found them on Youtube.