Audi A3 CONVENTION CENTRE? With this improved version of its third generation A3, Audi has subtly developed a winning formula. Jonathan Crouch reports. Ten Second Review This improved MK3 model A3 shows Audi at its slick, intelligent best. Its styling might still be low key and the engineering eminently sensible, but there's now a polish to this vehicle that escapes virtually all of its rivals. Efficiency and economy are excellent by class standards, especially when it comes to a much improved range of petrol engines. And some of the high-tech options available are extremely tempting. Background Audi's A3 has always been a car marked out by its quiet confidence. You don't buy one if you're an attention seeker or want to show off quite how much money you've spent. Instead, it's a premium compact hatch that blends in with real panache. Owners like that and so do we. Driving Experience Lots of changes have been made on the petrol engine front, the range now beginning with a downsized 115PS 1.0-litre TFSI unit that, nonetheless, still generates a useful 200Nm of torque. Next up is the more family 1.4 TFSI COD engine with 150PS and the efficiency of its clever 'Cylinder-on-Demand' technology. If you want more power, then the next step is a 2.0 TFSI unit - this a new engine featuring 190PS and an innovative new combustion process. It can be ordered with a freshly developed 7-speed S tronic auto gearbox and there's the option of quattro 4WD. Near the top of the range, the S3 hot hatch also gets 2.0 TFSI power - in this case with power upped by 10PS to a 310PS total. The diesel line-up is more familiar from before, things kicking off with the usual 1.6-litre TDI powerplant developing 110PS and offered with either manual or S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. Above that sits the consistently popular 2.0-litre TDI unit, available, as usual, with either 150 or 190PS and the normal transmission choices. Top diesels also get the quattro option. The Sportback e-tron petrol/electric Plug-in hybrid variant continues on for those with an eye on their tax status. Design and Build Exterior changes to the A3 are slight but the front looks a little more purposeful, courtesy of sharper lines for the familiar and now broader Singleframe grille. The headlights are flatter, with distinctive outer contours and can now be ordered in Matrix LED form, so they are significantly brighter and constantly adapt themselves to avoid dazzling other road users, plus of course they never need to be dipped. Equally subtle changes at the rear aim to accentuate the width of this car - with the horizontal illuminated graphics of the rear lights and the separation edge above the redesigned diffuser. Market and Model Pricing is much as before, which means that it sits mainly in the £18,000 to £30,000 bracket expected for premium compact hatches. As usual, there's the option of both three and five-door hatches, plus saloon and cabriolet bodystyles. The key option with this improved model is the clever 'Virtual Cockpit' system replacing the conventional instrument dials with an eye-catching 12.3-inch TFT display. But of course, there's much else to select from. As for infotainment, well Audi reckons that this improved A3 sets fresh standards here. An 'MMI radio plus' set-up with an electrically extending 7-inch diagonal monitor is standard, while the 'MMI navigation' system is fitted from 'SE Technik' trim upwards. Go further and specify the 'MMI navigation plus with MMI touch in conjunction with the Audi connect' package (what a mouthful!) and you can have many online functions in your A3 at high speed via the super-fast LTE standard. They include, for example, navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View traffic information in real time, as well as practical information on parking, destinations, news or the weather. Mobile phones with iOS and Android operating systems can now be connected with the car via the standard Audi smartphone interface. Cost of Ownership Forgive us if you've heard this script before, but the latest A3 is quicker, more economical and emits less carbon dioxide than its predecessor. It will also challenge the very best in class for residual values. So much, so predictable. The usual drill now is to quote the faintly unbelievable economy figure of the most economical diesel model in the range to underscore that point, but petrol buyers are in for a treat with the 1.0-litre TFSI engine. Expect over 60mpg combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions getting down towards 100g/km. Although Audi will roll out even more fuel efficient diesels in the future, the current 2.0-litre TDI 150PS unit is no slouch. In the combined cycle test it covered 68.9mpg - equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 108g/km. The A3 range also encompasses a 1.6 TDI engine, promising 74.3mpg potential with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. If you want to go further, then the Plug-in petrol electric Sportback e-tron hybrid continues on at the top of the range with its 176mpg and 37g/km CO2 capability. Summary The A3 serves a need and serves it very well. The latest model is, by any reasonable measure, a smart, admirable and technically brilliant thing. The intelligent people who will buy it will nevertheless have the self-awareness to ask themselves whether they have been beguiled by brand awareness, even if only just a little. Those with typical Audi owner self confidence probably won't mind either way. FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Audi A3 range PRICES: £18,500 - £30,000 [est] INSURANCE GROUP: 20-28 [est] CO2 EMISSIONS: 37-130g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.6 TDI] 0-62mph 10.5s / Max Speed 124mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6 TDI] 74.3mpg (combined) STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ESP, ABS with EBA, twin front,side and curtain airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4237/1777/1421 WHO TO SEE: