SEVEN years ago Audi created a new type of car for buyers who were looking for something a little bit more exclusive than your average family hatchback.
The A3 extended Audi's high-end engineering values and brand equity and effectively created a new up-market sector for premium, compact family hatchbacks.
Having been the subject of a couple of revisions along the way, the summer of this year saw the A3 completely reinvent itself.
The latest A3 comes with a quartet of engine options, a 1.6-litre 102bhp and 2.0-litre FSI petrol power sources and diesel urge in the form of a 1.9-litre 105bhp and a 2.0-litre 140bhp TDI. And due to arrive any time now is a permanent four-wheel-drive 3.2 litre V6 quattro sporting flagship version.
For this particular road test, I opted for the 2.0-litre 140bhp TDI which came with SE badging and included such items as electric front windows, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, radio/CD player, cruise control, electronic climate control and the rest.
The new A3 has been redesigned both inside and out in a bid to make even more impact than its predecessor which last year attracted 11,000 more customers to the model.
Gaining more than an inch in width and around two inches in length, the second generation A3 radiates the expected Audi high build quality and, featuring new lighting set-ups front and rear, it adopts a more "look-at-me," lower-slung sportier stance on the tarmac.
The increased exterior diemnsions have translated into a considerably roomier cabin, particularly in the rear seating where much more attention has been paid to passenger comfort than was available in its predecessor.
Before the off, closing the doors gives off that vault-like resonance associated with quality build, emphasised even more by a user friendly, well laid-out dash housing instrument dials which are a fine testimony to the watchmaker's art. Examples of the woodworker's expertise have also been tastefully used in the interior trim, but there is also a hint of the Audi TT in the aluminium trim around the air vents.
Seating is comfortably supportive and seat height adjusts for both driver and front passenger. In addition, while the innovative Z-shape handbrake frees up space in the centre console for two extra cupholders, the front seats of this three-door car feature an "easy-entry" function to access the rear while the luggage bay is functionally accommodating.
On the road, the 2.0-litre TDI 140bhp engine is a joy, producing everything it says on the tin. Housing a huge spread of torque from 1750rpm to 2500rpm, this powerful diesel will do the 0-62mph dash in just over nine seconds with a top speed, where legally allowable, of 129mph.
Doing its roadway work via a well engineered six-pack, short throw manual gear shift, it produces exceptional pulling power and, dependent upon individual drivers' styles, promises more than 50mpg over a mixed driving conditions.
From pole position, all-round vision is good, while, courtesy of nicely weighted, well damped power steering and a revised chassis set-up, the new A3 proves an easy drive. It's an honest performer which heads exactly where you point it and at the same time provides a quietly refined, comfortable ride.
The bottom line is that the new Audi A3 is another class act to follow a predecessor which has graced around 900,000 driveways worldwide in its seven-year reign.
FAST FACTS
Audi A3 2.0TDi 140 SE
Price: £19,180
Mechanical: 1,968cc, 140bhp, 4cyl turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 129mph
0-62 mph: 9.5secs
Combined mpg: 51.4
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 148g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw