Audi S4

Subdued styling hides a demon under the skin.

- David Morley

AUDI’s launch of the all-new B9 version of its A4 last year, was, visually speaking, a bit of a let-down. In fact, the new car looked so much like the old car, plenty of punters had trouble telling the difference. But it seems subtlety is the new buzz-word over at Audi, because the just-released S4 version of the B9 is equally understated. Here is a car that is much, much more about ruthless efficiency than headline-grabbing looks. It’s not unattractive, but it is more wallflower than party animal.

Until you sink the clog, that is, because it’s then that you realise this is one of the all-time great stealth bombers. And that, in 2017 when being caught speeding can easily get you into more trouble than selling drugs, counts for a fair bit. The wagon version is even stealthier (and my personal pick).