Review of the new Audi A3 1.9 TDI - Business Users' View

It didn't really occur to me until after I'd taken delivery of my new Audi A3 company car just how unusual it was. Not in terms of badge you understand: Audi remains the fastest growing prestige brand in the UK and the motorways are filled with A3s, A4s and A6s. No, in terms of size. I've never run a car quite as compact as this before. But by the same token, I've never enjoyed a company car quite as much as this one.

Let me explain. I rack up the miles. I mean, really rack them up. In the last two months with the Audi, we've covered over 7,000 miles together. Over that kind of use, you get to know a car pretty well and with every week that passes, my respect for OY04 BKD increases. Mine is the facelifted 1.9-litre TDI diesel three-door.

Though the engine has used two litres of engine oil in my time with it that was only a precautionary top-up. Otherwise, I've had to do nothing in terms of maintenance apart from irregular filling station visits. Mind you, I suppose you would expect that for a car requiring an outlay of at least £17,730. As far as the fuel station visits are concerned, I really do mean irregular. I average around 40mpg even in town and on motorway trips that figure rises to at least 60mpg.

The lates, facelifted edition of the A3 has seen some changes made in that the front wings and the grille are a little shapelier, the headlights are sharper-looking and the side repeaters are now incorporated into the door mirrors.

On the move, the engine torque is a delight especially when over-taking. In many cases, it's often not even necessary to drop down a gear to get past the swaying artic, or whatever it is in front of me putting me behind schedule for the next appointment. Handling is at the very least sure footed and confidence-inspiring (even in the wet) and the brakes are fade-free even when following some of my leaden-footed colleagues!

This is one of those cars that responds particularly well to a spot of TLC. The finish of the red painted exterior, for example, is superb after a car wash. Inside, it's the same story, with the interior coming up like new when I occasionally clean it. Gripes? Well believe it or not, I do have some. The pedal positioning isn't the best and I've noticed more wind noise than I'd expect at motorway speeds.

"With every week that passes, my respect for OY04 BKD increases.."

The 1.9-litre TDI variant I've been using fits into the Audi A3 range just below the 140bhp 2.0TDI model. I have the three-door version but if it was my money being spent, I'd be tempted to pay Audi another £500 and go for the more versatile five-door 'Sportback' variant. Given that the 2.0-litre TDI is only 10% more expensive but offers a 35% power hike, I'd also be tempted to trade up to that.

But here I am mentally spending money I don't really need to spend. The 1.9 TDI model does pretty much everything I need a car to do. Standard safety equipment includes window airbags, electronic stability control, ABS, brake assist, a part-electric power steering system and anti-whiplash head restraints.

Longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, the current A3 is a car that has punted the A3 back into pole position as the item of choice for the discerning professional. The most obvious changes on the latest facelifted model are that the front wings and the grille are a little shapelier, the headlights are sharper-looking and the side repeaters are now incorporated into the door mirrors. The interior has also come in for some treatment. Believe it or not, but the previous A3 was just starting to look a little off the pace in this department. Even far more mundane cars like the Vauxhall Astra and the Fiat Bravo were beginning to show Audi the way forward in terms of materials quality. The latest A3 ups the ante with more aluminium design elements, revised switchgear, a better quality instrument cluster and a rethink for the upholstery choices. Quattro four wheel drive is of course offered on certain variants. The luggage compartment of the three-door car features 350/1,080 litres of fresh air with rear seats in place and then folded, just pipped by the 370/1,220 litres of the Sportback.

My colleagues in the Road Test department say that the latest Audi A3 line-up makes downsizing look positively attractive. After three months behind the wheel, I'd wholeheartedly agree. Were I the one buying, my only issue would be choosing between 1.9TDI and 2.0-litre TDI engines. But then, that's a nice decision to have to make.

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