When you produce a car as consummate as the Audi A4, it must be hard to know what to do next. Thankfully the compact executive saloon market is amongst the most competitive, so Audi couldn't afford to be complacent.

With the refreshed A4 Audi has concentrated on the minutiae, refining every possible aspect to make it more refined, more economical and more technologically advanced.

As befitting a new premium saloon, the A4 is stuffed with kit. It isn't limited to high-end stereos and massaging seats either. The new A4 features wireless internet connectivity and sat-nav powered by Google Earth.

Safety kit is uprated, with the latest generation lane departure warning systems and active lane keep assist (systems designed to keep you in lane, and warn you when you stray out of it). All systems can be controlled by a dash-mounted touch-screen with handwriting recognition.

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The engine range has also been given a thorough going over, with efficiency improvements of 21 per cent over the old model. Stop and start, direct fuel injection and turbocharging have been used to great effect, to maximise available power, whilst minimising the thirst for fuel.

Performance enthusiasts may be disheartened to hear that the 3.2-litre V6 is no longer available. Fear not, however, as the sublime S4 performance iteration is back, equipped with a 328bhp 3.0-litre V6 and Audi's trademark quattro four wheel drive system.

It's also likely that Audi will bestow its hallowed RS badge on the new A4. With the previous-generation RS4 regarded by many as the best sports saloon of its generation, the prospect of a new one will have BMW M3 drivers quaking in their boots.