Recently revised, with sculpted lines and excellent driving dynamics, A3 shares many of their components with other VW products yet seems to feel uniquely Audi.

The RS3 version is stunningly fast and stable because of its Quattro driveline and V6 3.2 litre engine, but lesser A3 models aren’t exactly shrinking violets within the performance stakes, either – the FSI 2.0 litre engine is lively and sharp, and also the 130PS diesel-engined variant is sufficiently good to steer even the most avowed hater of oil burners to consider again.

The 5-door hatch variant – longer, and branded A3 Sportback – arrives in early 2005.