Hot on the heels of the "accidental" reveal of the forthcoming 3-series the new Audi A4 makes its debut in Paris next week. The difference is that the A4 will be on sale shortly afterwards, and you can see why competitors might like to divert the customer's attention away. The new A4 looks set to build on its predecessor's strong points whilst trying to answer criticism relating to a lack of driver involvement.

Whilst the most obvious changes are external, with the new A4 wearing the bold new corporate grill (taken from the Nuvolari concept), it's under the skin that the most important changes have been made. The range now features a choice of 10 different engines and four transmissions, with or without Quattro. Four of the 10 engines are diesels ranging from 2 litres and almost 140bhp to a 3.0-litre V6 boasting 200bhp, with the petrols ranging from a 1.6-litre four to the S4's monster 4.2-litre V8. All the units are EU4 compliant. So, a power plant to cater for all tastes then, and the transmissions are a 5 or 6-speed manual, a conventional 6-speed auto and a CVT unit that offers 7 preset ratios in a manual mode.

The new engines are strapped into an extensively revised chassis carrying over components from the A6 and S4 in a bid to improve the A4's responses and agility. To further improve its credentials as a driver's car the steering from the S4 has been cascaded down to other sporty models in the range. A revised brake set-up is fitted as well with Audi obviously looking at answering the two most oft criticised aspect of the current A4, i.e. the steering and brake feel.

The most praised aspect of the A4, the class leading interior, has also been revised to integrate the latest technological and ergonomic advances included new steering wheels, trim materials and upholstery and DVD based satnav. We'll have more details when we see the car in Paris.

The new range will be available to order in October with first deliveries in January 2005. We'll be driving the new A4 in the near future, so watch out for the review in the main Road Tests page.

Dave Jenkins - 18 Sep 2004