Appreciably more accomplished, significantly more intelligent and now multi-award winning - the widely lauded Audi A4 has added the top Car of the Year accolade in the Contract Hire and Leasing Awards for 2015 to its already impressive cache of honours.

The all-new compact executive star also secured the Compact Executive Car category award as part of the annual review of star cars conducted by respected UK car finance site ContractHireandLeasing.com.

Citing its ‘sharp looks, improved driving dynamics, greater efficiency’, and in particular applauding the ‘stunning’ Virtual Cockpit, the judges added: “The A4 has what it takes to edge ahead of its incredibly talented rivals.

In this competitive segment, praise doesn’t come higher.