--Audi A4

The Audi A4 is an ideal small executive cruiser, but its versitility as a family car makes it a popular choice, it is just as comfortable on the city streets as it is on the country lanes or the open motorway. Audi have given much thought to the requirements of the company car driver and family car driver giving the A4 enough room for adults, kids and luggage.

The A4 shares the same platform as VW's Passat, and is available as a saloon, estate or cabriotet. The standard A4s are front wheel drive although some models use Audi's tride and tested 4wd system giving excellent cornering and road holding.

The current A4 model was introduced in 2001. The engines used are the1.6ltr 102bhp, 1.8ltr Turbo 150bhp, 2.0ltr 130bhp, 2.4ltr, 3.0ltr 220bhp and 4.2ltr 340bhp petrol or 1.9ltr 100bhp or 130bhp and 2.5ltr 180bhp Turbo diesels. All A4's have power steering, ABS brakes, traction control, airbags, remote central locking, alarmed, immobilisers and air conditioning.

Because of the situation around personal taxation with regard to company cars and "Benefit in Kind", many employers will consider cash allowances. This has widened the choice of cars to employees taking them away from the standard "rep-mobiles".