Road test: Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI Ultra 150PS

Audi’s mid-size A4 seems to have been around since the Bronze Age. In fact, there have been nine generations since it first appeared as the Audi 80 in 1972. The latest, all-new version is bigger and sleeker than before and drives much better.

This is partly because, despite its all-steel construction, it is up to 110kg lighter and is based on Audi’s new MLB platform, which it shares with the Q7. On the road, it feels much more nimble than its predecessor and is a better driver’s car.

Engines range from a 1.4-litre petrol with 150PS, to a 2.0-litre petrol with 190PS, and two two-litre diesels with 150 or 190PS, to a range-topping three-litre V6 diesel with 218PS. The 150PS diesel will be the biggest seller and Audi claims it is capable of up to 74.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2. The list of optional driver aids is almost as long as the M1, and includes a barrage of sensors and cameras that virtually let the car drive itself through slow traffic. Another option is the virtual dashboard, which puts the sat-nav map in the driver’s line of sight and replaces conventional dials.

Audi’s A4 was already a good car but the latest improvements bring it up to date against some strong opposition. Dynamically, it might not quite match the BMW 3 Series but it has considerably narrowed the gap.