IN THE great ‘who was first’ luxury small-car debate, there can be no doubt that Audi is the winner.

Described as a “mini Lexus” by one revered reviewer when new, the Golf IV-based A3 of 1996 (or was the newly plushified VW actually A3-based) pioneered a new premium segment that is now hotly contested by the BMW 1 Series, Lexus CT 200h, Volvo V40 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

But somehow, for a decade, Audi let the second-generation version of 2003 languish as BMW in particular took the high road with rear-drive dynamics and a fresh design language that has since influenced scores of imitators.

Now we know that Ingolstadt’s designers and engineers were simply hatching a lighter, stronger, and far more efficient architecture designed to put the ‘Howdy!’ back into the Audi.

Here we take a look at the mid-range 1.8 TFSI turbo-petrol Sportback, offering an engine not currently available in the closely related Mk7 Golf.

And it’s good...

Click here for the full review...