Cars that drive themselves on our crowded roads might still be some way off, but Audi’s new A4 suggests it might be closer than you think.
Most modern luxury cars are packed with technology, but this compact executive saloon takes it to a new level.
Competing in one of the most hotly contested corporate sales sectors, the A4’s combination of sharp looks, improved driving dynamics and greater efficiency has led it to collect a raft of awards.
The A4 has been a linchpin of the Audi range since 1994 and the breadth of the new range, priced from just over £26,000, is impressive, spanning saloon and estate versions, a wide range of engines and 4x4 quattro models.
The cabin skilfully blends supreme comfort with state-of-the-art technology. And the test car, powered by a 2.0-litre, 150 horsepower turbo-diesel engine, had a selection of optional treats fitted.
First was the stunning £450 ‘virtual cockpit’ which gives a full digital display that can be reconfigured at the touch of a button and second was a pair of optional £650 LED headlights linked to both a camera on the interior mirror and a control unit that switches the individual LEDs on and off individually as required, or dims them in 64 stages.
The result is that the headlights illuminate with a light quality similar to daylight, but without ever blinding other road users.
Dimmed light is directed at road signs to ensure the driver is not blinded by reflections and the system even works with the sat-nav system to turn the headlights into a bend before the wheel is turned.
That is clever stuff, and so is the crash detection system fitted as standard to all versions of the new models. At speeds of up to 52mph, it scans the road for other vehicles and pedestrians using a windscreen-mounted camera with a range of up to 100 metres. If there is the threat of a collision, you receive a series of warnings, and if necessary the car starts to automatically apply the brakes. At speeds up to 25mph, Audi says it can fully prevent collisions and at higher speeds up to 52mph, warnings and brake intervention help to reduce the impact speed.
Another standard system is attention assist, that analyses driver behaviour and gives you an electronic nudge if it detects that you are losing concentration.
The adjustable speed limiter, built into the cruise control system fitted as standard, can be set to a particular speed – useful for maintaining speed within city limits.
Another option is adaptive cruise control, which maintains one of five distances between you and the car ahead.
Even eerier is traffic-jam assist, which can take over steering at speeds of up to 37mph when traffic is congested
 The system uses the radar and ultrasound sensors as well as the front camera, guiding the car by gently adjusting the steering and following the traffic ahead, using lane markings and other vehicles to guide it.Yet another system takes a pre-selected speed, and adapts to the road conditions by analysing the  route’s topography, speed limits and the traffic ahead. It recognises curves, roundabouts, junctions, gradients, city limits and speed limit signs – in many cases long before you see them.

AUTO FACTS
Model: Audi A4 Saloon 2.0 TDI S line 150 PS S tronic
Price: £39,525 (as tested)
Insurance group: 20E
Fuel consumption (Combined): 67.3mpg
Top speed: 136mph
Length: 472.6cm/186in
Width: 184.2cm/72.5in
Luggage capacity: 16.9 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity: 11.9 gallons/54 litres
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles