What's this then?

Here's our first look at the all-new Audi A4 that is due to make its public world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with first models arriving on our shores in November. Based on the same modular MLB platform as used in the recently launched Audi Q7, it features many of the same technological improvements and weight saving measures.

Sort of looks the same.

Well it was going to wasn't it? The A4 recipe has been a successful one for Audi with over five million models sold since it replaced the Audi 80 in 1995. Audi daren't alienate customers so the 'evolution rather than revolution' styling approach is to be expected. It has changed though; it's longer and wider before to increase interior space and the front end now also features Xenon lights as standard with LED and Matrix Beam lights available from the options list. The lines, particularly the one that is picked up at the headlights and extends all the way back to accentuate the increased length, are in typical Audi style - impeccable if conservative. Slippery too, with the aerodynamicists having worked their magic to get the A4's drag coefficient down to 0.23 for the saloon and 0.29 for the Avant estate - figures Audi says are class leading and go some way to explaining the 76mpg and 94g/km capabilities of the 2.0-litre TDI Ultra model.

Inside, rear-seat occupants get more leg- and knee-room thanks, in part, to the lengthening of the body, but also due to a redesign of the seats to make them thinner and lighter. Over 16kg has been shaved from the kerb weight by the engineers redesigning the wiring harness as well. This is despite the fact the new car features more technology. Most noticeable of these is a redesigned MMI system that now has more logical, smartphone-like functionality.

Smartphone you say?

Yes the MMI deep-dive of old is no more so most menus are now accessed by one or two clicks, much like your smartphone. And speaking of smartphones you can fully integrate your Apple or Android smartphone into your A4 with the new Audi Smartphone Interface that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Pair it with the optional Audi phone box that boosts your phone signal by linking it to the car's aerial (and also wirelessly charges it if you have a phone with such functionality) and you have the perfect smartphone set up.

Anyway, back to MMI. A seven-inch colour screen will be fitted as standard while those opting for the high-end MMI Navigation plus get an 8.3-inch unit. You can also have the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit as seen in the TT and there is even a heads up display on the options list alongside a 19 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound.

And the oily bits?

Usual A4 fare really with the exception of the entry level petrol engine - it is now a 150hp 1.4-litre TFSI unit. Due to the A4 shedding 120kg in the gym and the refinement of the engine range the new A4 is said to be up to 21 per cent more efficient, but with up to 25 per cent more power. Front-wheel drive cars can, for the first time, be paired with Audi's S tronic automatic transmission - seven-speed in everything bar the range topping 272hp 3.0-litre TDI model, which gets eight cogs.

Headline figures go to the 94g/km 2.0-litre TDI 150 Ultra (99g/km for the Avant) and that 272hp V6, which is said to be good for 57.6mpg and 129g/km, but can hit 62mph in 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph. Although, the 218hp version of that engine has been called (by Audi) "the world's most efficient six-cylinder engine" thanks to its 110g/km and 67mpg economy.

And how much will this cost me?

No official figures yet though we suspect there won't be too much of a difference from the current offering that starts from £27,420. You don't really have too long to wait however as prices are expected next month.