Audi will be releasing a new updated A4 range which is available to order now and will be delivered to UK customers in March 2012.
Although the new Audi A4 has new interior and exterior designs the main focus of the new range will be pricing and emissions.
These things are especially important when it comes to competition in the current market with all the hype being who has the lowest price and emissions. Style and luxury also come into play, particularly in the premium segment, but with spiralling costs, private buyers and businesses increasingly want luxury matched to low running costs.
Competitor wise the Audi range will be going up against the likes of the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 3 series, more specifically their economic models like the 3 series EfficientDynamics and the C-Class BlueEfficiency.
So what are the A4's prices and emissions?
The prices for the A4's models differ between the Saloon range and the Avant (or estate) range. The saloon models start from £24,000. With the Avant range prices are slightly higher and start from £26,455.
The powerful four wheel drive quattro versions are also available in both ranges, but as expected come at a premium, starting from about £30,000 in both ranges.
The most economical engine available is the A4 2.0 TDIe, which is available in both ranges, £26,555 for the saloon and £27,755 for the Avant.
This 2.0-litre diesel delivers 65.7mpg and has CO2 figures of 112g/km. This sub 120g/km means it will be exempt from road tax for the first year for private buyers and will offer low Benefit in Kind rates for fleet operators.
What about its competitors?
Prices, starting with the Mercedes C-Class saloon, start from £26,025 on the road. This model's most economical engine, signified by the BlueEfficiency moniker, is the C 220 CDI and has emissions starting from 117 g/km.
Price-wise and emissions-wise the C-Class is a worthy competitor with CO2 emissions of 120g/km, but its price lets it down slightly at around £2,000 more than the Audi A4 saloon's starting price.
The more impressive model is the 2012 BMW 3-Series, which has a competitive price at £24,880 and great CO2 emission figures.
The 2012 3 series saloon has CO2 emissions of just 109g/km. Although it is not out yet it is definitely worth considering because it will come out in February 2012, which is a little earlier than the new Audi A4.
Which one should I choose?
When it comes down to it the facts speak for themselves, the new BMW 3 series that is set to be released in 2012 has the best emissions and a competitive price.
However, even though interior styling and gadgets as such are not focused upon here, it may be the only decisive thing between the models.
All three are premium manufacturers well known for their comfort and high levels of specification and now Audi has responded to the success of the BMW's EfficientDynamics range, the models are closer than ever.
It may be worth test driving them and getting a feel for the models, see if it is as good in the comfort and luxury department as it is in the price and emissions.