09/10/2008 19:05. You have to admire what Audi has achieved. The brand was never in bad shape, but it played second fiddle to its German rivals and didn’t have the image to compete – even if the cars were actually pretty good.

However, now the tables have turned, and the four rings of the Audi are spearing in front, and continuing to grow its product range and sales. A chunk of this success can be accredited to the A4. Competing in a sector where image is prime, it hardly seemed feasible that anyone could de-throne the BMW 3-Series. But the A4 did. Following the successful re-invention of the A4 for 2008, the inevitable follow up is the Avant. Bringing the lifestyle estate option to the A4 range has broadened its appeal, and has made it a viable option for more and more buyers.

But that’s the... // XPRESS