Put all thoughts of your inheritance from them on hold for the Audi A4 comes with a host of safety and security features longer than my average shopping list. Front passenger with de-activation switch and front side airbags are standard along with front and rear ISOFIX seats. ABS, EBD and ESP with brake assist ensures you will stop whatever but just in case the body shell is more rigid than set in rigor mortis.

To help the driver is automatic headlight operation, automatic windscreen wipers, daytime running lights, front and rear fog lights plus headlight range adjustment. Then come the options and just be aware here, the list is never ending so set you price budget before you enter the Audi Showroom My test car stands in at £23,2200 yet I accumulated just under 10K’s worth of extras. Some great like the Xenon plus headlights with adaptive lights. Some not so necessary like the Audi parking system that is more sensitive than me. Luckily it comes with an internal cut off switch.

Securing the A4 is a Thatcham category 1 alarm and immobiliser. Hot off the press, is news that the Audi A4 has, for the third successive year stolen the show at the 2008 British Insurance Car Security Awards scoring not only three category wins but also taking away the overall Manufacturer of the Year Award for the widest range of cars offering five star security.

The least you can do with the new Audi A4 is book a test drive just to appease or impress the in-laws.

Female First Jackie Violet