Executives who fancy the flair and feel of Audi's elegant A5 coupé but prefer a little more practicality have the perfect answer - and it carries the same maker's badge.

It comes in the shape of the new A4 saloon, a sporty, compact executive four-door, with more space and versatility than its sleek sibling. The original A4 was the most successful Audi of all time, so the German car maker hardly needed to make major changes and, at first glance, the newcomer does not look that different.

In fact, Audi says it has changed every body panel apart from the roof, although the most noticeable changes were at the tail lights and the nose, which gains a single-frame grille.

Inside, the A4's conservatively styled interior stays virtually unchanged, apart from a new seat design and a steering boss with an aluminium graphic that echoes the new grille.

Plenty of effort has also been put into improving the car's handling, to put it on a level with the likes of its arch-rival, the BMW 3 Series.

Longer, wider and lower than its key competitors, the A4 remains an aspirational, premium member of the executive car park club and now offers more rear legroom and luggage space.

Prices start from under £23,000 with a range of engines stretching from 1.8-litres up to a 265-horsepower, 3.2-litre fire-breather.

The test car was powered by a more modest, but thoroughly competent, 143-horsepower, 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which made light work of a 180-mile run around the M25, delivering effortless, comfortable cruising even when fully loaded, combined with the alluring prospect of achieving 50mpg.

Elegant and discreetly styled, the A4 combines top-quality build with a range of excellent engines and superb ride quality.

Refinements including an electromechanical parking brake and an intelligent key system are standard across the range, and SE models also come equipped with 17in alloy wheels, and a sophisticated climate control system, that allows separate settings for the driver, front seat passenger and rear seat passengers.

SE models also come with a 180-watt CD audio system and 6.5in colour dashboard display, rear acoustic parking, automatic headlight and wiper operation and aluminium interior trim.

It is when you start adding optional extras that you can quickly start pushing up the price of the A4 with, for example, Audi's DVD satellite navigation system with TMC congestion avoidance technology at £1,975, leather seats at about £1,300 and rear parking sensors at £650.

Auto facts Audi A4 2.0 TDI

  • Price: £23,600
  • Ins group: 12
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 51.4mpg
  • Top speed: 134mph
  • Length: 470.3cm/185.1in
  • Width: 182.6cm/71.9in
  • Luggage capacity: 16.9 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 15.4 gallons/70 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 144g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles