Audi is claiming big economy improvements for its new A4 thanks to lower weight and more fuel-efficient engines.

At first glance, the most obvious change to the A4 is the redesigned front end and new interior design. For more serious drivers, the car’s value will be measured by features that are designed to give lower running costs.

I’m not as influenced by badges as some other car followers; for me, the proof of a car’s value is in its running costs. And that’s the space that Audi claims to have the lead over the competition, which in my book includes the likes of the Ford Mondeo and related Volkswagen Passat.

Many Audi drivers are happy to pay the Audi badge premium, but it’s not always clear to see where the specification differences deliver that extra value for the higher price. Car ownership encompasses more than the badge and that’s why with over 1,000km driving behind me in the new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel A4, I have a better feel for the car and what it offers.

The engine performance is impressive. This car can accelerate better than most; its lighter weight adds to the acceleration performance. The 0 to 100km/hr rating is impressive at 8.9 seconds and better than any of the competition. And so too is the fuel economy figure; very few cars in this group can match the Audi quoted figure of 26.3km/litre. My driving performance gave a 50% higher fuel consumption rating in true Irish variable driving conditions and that result was closer to 17.5km/litre. Despite this, the A4 is still one of the most economical cars around.

I’m a little surprised that the fuel tank capacity is so low at 40 litres – much lower than the Passat or Mondeo. I noticed more frequent refill stops due to a shorter range figure. I expect modern cars in this class to give me close to 1,000km on a full tank; that won’t be possible with the new A4.

The impressive economy figure gives it a low CO2 rating at just 99g/km. That converts to low running costs of just €180 annual road tax. So far, so good.

Add all of these performance figures together and incorporate them, along with depreciation into a three-year running cost, and the Audi figures start to creep up to around €0.46 per km. That shows it to be less cost-effective than the basic running cost data. So this prompts time for a rethink on the value offer.

If you can cope with the cost figures and you are happy with the badge, then the A4 will still look attractive. Out on the road, the car is great to drive – low in noise and good on seating and comfort.

I found the six-speed gearbox a little harsh and the clutch pedal a little heavy. Others may not agree. I like a silky smooth gear change; driving does not have to be work to be enjoyable.

There is a modern control system in the car operated through a large central screen unit. This is logical to use and gives five options in terms of car suspension performance from sport to eco or comfort. I used comfort and eco most of the time and I was happy with the overall driving feel.

This screen doubles up as a navigation screen on some models. This system was again easy to set up and use. Navigation systems are getting simpler to use and becoming easier to adapt.

The parking/reversing camera was also impressive to use. It gives a very clear picture of your surroundings. The bad news is that it adds more than €2,000 to the price. (Toyota is including cameras on entry-model cars at competitive prices.)

The rear space is just average; not in the big-car class, even though some people think of the A4 in the bigger group. The boot space is not the biggest either. There was a space saver spare wheel included and that gets a plus mark from me.

There’s lots of safety kit included and the A4 got a five-star Euro NCAP safety in a recent 2015 test, so it’s right up to date. There are lots of airbags included along with Audi’s new collision assist system to warn you if you are getting close to a car in front.

The price starts at €40,700 for the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel model or £30,550 in Northern Ireland. Audi is offering competitive personal contract plan deals on the A4 that look attractive, but do the maths first before you fall in love with the car. That kind of car romance knows no financial boundaries; so think practical, and that means work on the costs and balance against the desire factors.