Traditional hierarchy in the Volkswagen empire suggests that the Audi division should always get first dibs on new technology. Not in the case of the clever 1.4-litre TSI supercharged/turbocharged petrol engine however. It was destined for the Volkswagen Golf. Audi's compact A3, the car you'd have expected to see it in, campaigns instead in entry-level petrol form with the 125PS Turbo 1.4 TFSI engine we look at here, this powerplant replacing the old 1.6 FSI unit.

To understand the reasons why, you need to understand the Audi A3 line-up. This already includes turbocharged 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI petrol units with power outputs and performance uncomfortably close to those on offer in the 140 and 170PS versions of the 1.4 TSI engine installed in the Golf. All of which left Audi's engineers to look for another option when it came to replacing the rather under-powered 115PS 1.6 FSI unit that since the launch of the MK2 A3 in 2003, has under-pinned sales of the car in this country.

Why do you need to know all of this? Well basically, because for around £1,000 less than the equivalent Golf 1.4 TSI, an A3 1.4 TFSI could be yours: prices start at £16,365 for the three door and £16,865 for the five-door Sportback. The 15PS your Audi will give away to the entry-level 140PS Golf 1.4 TSI will mean that your A3 is detained for 0.8s longer in the rest to sixty sprint (9.6s as opposed to 8.8s). Oh, and with a maximum speed of 126mph, it's 1mph slower flat out. Hardly very much to lose sleep over.

But won't the Audi driver lose out when it comes to mid-range punch? Not really. The hi-tech 1.4 TFSI unit is a 1.390cc engine offering a decent 200Nm of torque (45Nm more than that in the old 1.6 FSI), 80% of which is available from just 1,250rpm and 100% from 1,500rpm. Which is one reason why it's a second quicker to sixty than the old 1.6. Despite this, CO2 emissions have fallen over those recorded by the 1.6 - to 154g/km. At the pumps, owners should be able to record up to 43.5mpg on the combined cycle.

"So, an Audi for significantly less than the price of a broadly comparable Volkswagen. Doesn't happen too often that?"

So, an Audi for significantly less than the price of a broadly comparable Volkswagen. Doesn't happen too often that. Mind you, most prospective A3 1.4 TFSI customers will probably end up spending the difference on a plusher trim grade (there's a choice between standard, SE and S line variants).

Other than the engine of course, it's standard Audi A3 fare, a package which these days includes more equipment than you might expect. Of course, finding items like manual windows in what purports to be a premium hatch would really dent an owner's cool and the entry-level 1.4-litre TFSI A3 comes with electric front windows, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and a Thatcham category 1 alarm and immobiliser operated by a remote key fob. Audi haven't skimped on safety gear either, the entry-level car getting the same ESP stability control, anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, ASR traction control, EDL electronic differential lock and twin front and side airbags as its more expensive SE and S line siblings.

Choose to trade up to SE specification and you can expect to find climate controlled air conditioning, a CD stereo, cruise control, Vavona wood decorative inlays, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and seven-spoke alloy wheels. The S line version runs on 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and sports suspension, ditches the lumber on the fascia in favour of gloss finished inlays and adds aluminium sill strips, front sports seats, front fog lamps and a three rather than four-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel.

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 young professional. The most obvious change is the increase in wheelbase. The styling is largely evolutionary, remaining obviously an A3 with the Audi trademark 'single frame' grille, only looking a little stretched. The additional 65mm in wheelbase has rectified one of the old A3's faults, namely that rear seat accommodation was a bit pinched. The extra 30mm of width also helps a little with shoulder room. If you need more room, there's also a Sportback 5-door version with another 68mm of wheelbase in addition.

The cabin has been restyled over recent years to offer a little more design flair, Audi realising that high quality alone isn't enough to lure buyers into showrooms. There has to be some style on display too. The fascia struts ape the interior design of the TT, as do the round air vents and chrome-rimmed dials. It's still not what you'd call revolutionary, but it's beautifully executed.

Although the entry-level version of this car exists to give Audi a presence in the market at a £16,500 price point, most buyers won't countenance equipment levels below what the SE and S line trims boast. Therefore, the effective opening price of the car for most buyers will be in excess of £17,500. Given that this will buy 197bhp of SEAT Leon, how can the 125bhp Audi A3 1.4 TFSI possibly justify its existence, assuming that you're not influenced by its affordability alongside a Golf 1.4 TSI? Quite easily in fact. There will always be customers who want Audi A3s and who recognise that the four rings are a guarantor of cast-iron residuals. Despite its relatively modest power, the A3 1.4 TFSI is still a genuinely covetable depreciation-proofed bauble.

TOP 4 A3 DEALS

The results below show the top A3 deals on buyacar

	Audi A3 1.4 T FSI Sport 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £275	Saving £1,435	Price £16,910
	Audi A3 1.4 T FSI Sport 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £274	Saving £1,485	Price £17,360
	Audi A3 1.4 T FSI 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £247	Saving £1,235	Price £15,110
	Audi A3 1.4 T FSI 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £248	Saving £1,285	Price £15,560

typical 10.28% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000