The new 2012 Audi A3

The new Audi A3 is a hugely important model, because it's the replacement for Audi's biggest seller in the UK, and it arrives at much the same time as the all-new Mercedes A-Class, new VW Golf and Volvo V40. Don't be fooled, though. The latest A3 is built on a brand new platform that  also underpins the next-generation Volkswagen Golf. There are big efficiency gains; engine stop-start is now standard across the range, and Audi has used aluminium and high-strength steel to help make the new car up to 80kg lighter than the old one.     Three Audi A3 engines available at launch are: 121bhp 1.4 and 178bhp 1.8 turbo petrols and a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The diesel is a strong and flexible performer that's happy to pull from well below 1500rpm; while it transmits some vibration into the cabin at idle, it's smooth and refined at cruising speeds. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and, although the gearing is long in the interests of economy, the engine always pulls strongly unless you let the revs drop well below 1500rpm.