As a manufacturer with a philosophy that advocates advancement through technology, Audi are showcasing some of their finest technical innovations with the new A4.

Of course for most car buyers the issues of price and whether we actually need such techno wizardry are often called to the fore when it comes to Audi. Particularly when models start to filer their way through into the used car markets once the original owner has upgraded.

In short, the technical innovation offered by Audi does not come cheap - and if you're a techno-geek then you'll find this brand is second to none. The down side is that while Audi produces cars that many people dream of owning, only a select few can actually afford to maintain them in the event that those highly technical bits and bobs need repairing after the original warranty expires.

For those who can afford to buy new and desire nothing less than the latest and greatest driving technology which Audi has become so famous for, the new A4 may be at the top of your wish list.

While this A4 certainly looks similar to its previous model, it has also been designed to create a racier, sportier stance of automotive prowess by reducing the front overhang and increasing the bonnet length.

Stretching the wheel base has accommodated greater occupant room, the rear legroom has been improved slightly, and there's a 480 litre boot to store golf clubs for the lads and screeds of shopping bags from the high street for the ladies.

While offering greater boot room than any of its competitors, the A4 also features impressive technology in its unyielding body structure, introducing high strength steel in essential body structures, as well as weight saving features to give the advantages of a better power to weight ratio and decreased fuel consumption.

Also assisting in fuel consumption is a drag coefficient of just 0.27, which basically means the Audi slips through the air with ease, resulting in fuel savings and decreasing wind noise.

Four direct fuel injected engines are available, covering a power-output range up to 195 kW. Two of the engines (2.0 litre in-line 4cyl & 2.7litre V6) use common-rail diesel technology and both are turbo charged, and of the two petrol power units available the 1.8 litre in-line 4 cylinder is turbocharged with electronic intake camshaft adjustment. The 3.2 litre V6 is the only normally aspirated engine available.

Impressively, the new A4 offers an average fuel saving of 13 percent over the previous model for the petrol models, while the diesels achieve a reduction of 6 percent. Audi's version of the Constant Variable Transmission (CVT) called Multitronic is used on the 1 OBD Tool.8 litre turbo, and both diesels and can cleverly imitate eight gear change patterns while a super smooth six-speed tiptronic auto is used on the 3.2 litre quattro permanent four wheel drive model.

Apart from the quattro, where the torque split is 40:60, drive all models comes via the front wheels. As the result of some genuine engineering skill and with no cost spared, the differential has been moved even further forward in the driveline from the previous model by swapping its position with the clutch or torque convertor. This has enabled the front axle to be repositioned further forward allowing for the axle loads to be ideally balanced.

To even further fuel Audi drivers' fascinations for gadgetry and innovative driving technology, two more options are also on offer.

Best suited to drivers who really understand which settings will best suit their continually changing driving conditions is the Audi drive select control system. This allows the driver to adjust the operating characteristics of the engine, automatic transmission, steering and adaptive suspension damping to suit their individual preferences or driving conditions with little more than the push of a button.

Interestingly, while that system was designed to allow the driver to change the handling characteristics of the vehicle, built-in safety margins ensure the car is never allowed to step outside of certain parameters.

The second optional package is Audi dynamic steering, which varies the steering ratio according to road speed. At slower speeds full lock will be reached with less than one turn of the steering wheel, while at higher speeds the steering becomes much less sensitive.

This stability control system can even automatically override the driver's intended steering wheel angle when the vehicle is close to its handling limits, while the driver remains entirely unaware of the change in steering angle.

All A4 models come standard with electronic stability and traction control, six airbags including a front passenger airbag key deactivation system, auto headlights, rain sensing wipers, fog lights, rear parking aids, cruise control, leather multifunction steering wheel, trip computer and a split folding rear seat.

Prices range from $67,900 for the petrol 1 Launch CReader 6011.8T FSI and $68,900 for the 2.0 TDI right through to $78,900 for the 2.7 TDI.

The remarkable technology employed in all aspects of the Audi A4's design makes it an awe-inspiring ride for lucky drivers who can afford to buy new. A few years down the road could see this model, like most Audi's, being a very expensive car to repair should any of the techno logy go awry. But then what European car featuring this kind of technological prowess isn't?

Stephen Donald is a passionate motoring enthusiast and writer living in New Zealand. This review of the Audi A4 was written for the New Zealand Automobile Association.
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