Audi’s new A4, due to be unveiled in Paris this month, will be the freshest challenger in the fiercely-contested compact saloon market. Can the A4, complete with dramatic styling and new powerplants, leave the competition gasping for air?

Echoing design elements first displayed on the Nuvolari concept, front-end styling of both saloon and Avant models of the A4 is new as it displays a single-frame grille and newly styled clear glass headlamps. At the rear too, the Nuvolari influences can be seen in the arching light cluster.

I've been watching car design treends for a while now and it's definitely the shape of things to come: lots of metal - high side window sills, aggressive gaping front grille, etc. A lot of cars are going this route these days and I like it. I like it a lot.