Overall rating:

The petrol 1.8 TFSI may be the supposed hot hatch of the new Audi A3 range for now, but on closer investigation it turns out that this frugal and efficient diesel may actually be the most likely candidate for the title. Fun to drive and cheap to run, the Audi A3 2.0 TDI would be our choice.

Key Facts

Model tested: Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport
Pricing: £22,730
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: BMW 1 Series, Lexus CT 200h, Volvo C30
CO₂ emissions: 106g/km
Combined economy: 68.9mpg
Top speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 8.6 seconds
Power: 150hp at 3,500rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750rpm

In the Metal:

Let's be honest:, in the looks department the new Audi A3 is no game-changer. However, familiarity aside for a moment, it remains the epitome of class and premium in this segment. Sport models come with 17-inch alloy wheels and 15mm lower suspension, though our test car used standard suspension.

It's not even a game-changer inside, yet not because its rivals offer the same quality or neat design, but because this cabin is good enough to be mistaken for an interior from one of the firm's larger (and more expensive) models. The MMI controller has been redesigned and remains the most intuitive to use in the sector, while boot space increases by 15 litres to 365 litres in total.

Driving it:

Having experienced the 1.8-litre TFSI variant earlier in the day and come away slightly underwhelmed we weren't sure what to expect from this 2.0-litre TDI. After all, the former is billed as the performance model (until the S3 arrives that is) and the highlight of this diesel's spec sheet seem to be its low emissions and great fuel economy.

And highlights they are - this four-cylinder diesel emits only 106g/km (making it only £30 for annual road tax) and driven sensibly will return nearly 70mpg, the sort of numbers you'd expect from an eco-special. But this particular A3 has a sting in its tail, in the form of 150hp and - more importantly - 320Nm of torque available all the way from 1,750- to 3,000rpm.

The result? Five minutes behind the wheel will convince you that this diesel should, in the interim at least, be crowned the performance flagship. Power delivery is smooth linear while refinement remains high. There's little in the way of traditional diesel clatter, either at idle or speed, and in-gear acceleration is lively.

The first car to use the Volkswagen Group's new MQB platform, the A3 also boasts some lightweight body construction and an engine block 5kg lighter than the previous unit. And it's thanks to this that it changes direction neatly and without fuss - and even without quattro four-wheel drive has plenty of grip. However, it's still no dynamic masterpiece, the feel and feedback-free steering being a bugbear of ours.

The firm's Drive Select system, which alters the throttle, steering and, when connected to an automatic gearbox, the gear shift patterns as well, improves matters slightly but in the end the BMW 1 Series is more fun to drive.

What you get for your Money:

All Audi A3 models come with alloy wheels, iPod connection, Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning and Audi's MMI radio with electric folding 5.8-inch information screen. Opt for the Sport model, which adds another £1,225 to the list price, and the specification includes climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, Audi Drive Select, sports cloth seats, aluminium interior trim and sports suspension.

The 2.0 TDI version starts at £21,505 for the entry-level SE model, and is also available in S line trim for £24,880 - undercutting the 1.8 TFSI car with its seven-speed S tronic gearbox by £2,300.

Worth Noting

There's also a 1.6-litre diesel on the way, arriving in the UK at the end of the year. Unsurprisingly this model is more efficient, with a combined economy around 74mpg and CO₂ emissions are 99g/km - impressive figures in their own right, and the low CO₂ output means road tax is free. However, when the quicker 2.0-litre TDI is almost as clean, we're not sure we'd choose the smaller engine model. Though it will be cheaper to buy of course.

Summary

Audi expects the 2.0-litre diesel A3 to make up 65 per cent of the model's sales mix at launch, and from this drive we can see why. It's quick, refined, economical, efficient and even quite good fun to drive; this particular A3 manages to tick more boxes than any other in the range. And until the S3 arrives, it's the model we'd choose as well.