The most successful Audi ever will be replaced in the UK next March when the all new A4 saloon reaches Britain's showrooms, writes David Duffy.

The model that attracted 1.5 million buyers across Europe has now been completely revised from the ground upwards with a larger, roomier bodyshell, fully independent suspension all round and two all-new lightweight aluminium engines a 3.0-litre V6 and a 2.0-litre four.

Technological advances include Multitronic automatic transmission, which Audi says can improve performance and fuel economy compared with both manual and tiptronic automatic alternatives.

Manufactured in Audi's main production facility in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, the new A4 perpetuates the brand's tradition for four-wheel-drive, combining a longitudinal engine layout with quattro permanent all-wheel-drive technology just as its pioneering forebears did twenty years ago. In Britain it is predicted that as many as 30 per cent of new A4 sales will be quattro versions. One of the most welcome advantages of the new longer, wider and taller A4 bodyshell will be the boost in rear leg room its expanded wheelbase provides.

Active and passive safety has also been improved by the addition of both an electronic stability programme and a head airbag protection system, bringing a total of six airbags in all.

The new Audi A4 is the sixth offering from Audi since 1972 to compete in the prestige sector of the medium segment. At the UK launch the new A4 line-up will include four models equipped with a choice of three engines a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with 130 horsepower will replace the existing 1.8-litre (125 horsepower), naturally aspirated unit, and the current 2.8-litre V6 (193 horsepower) will make way for a new 3.0-litre V6 with 220 horsepower. A 2.5-litre TDI V6 with 180 horsepower will complete the initial line-up. Following soon afterwards next year will be models powered by a new 130 horsepower version of the acclaimed 1.9-litre, four-cylinder TDI engine, plus the consistently popular turbocharged four-cylinder 1.8 T petrol unit.

Exact specification for the new line-up in the UK has yet to be announced and further details will follow nearer to launch in 2001.