IT WOULD be very easy to get bogged down in a lot of statistics when talking about the new Audi A3.

Top speeds, mpg, nought to whatever and CO2 emissions. But all that would cloud the real selling point of this car, which is that it is truly delicious to drive.

Sitting low to the ground, it soaks up everything British tarmac can throw at it.

The six-speed gear box is short, sharp and to the point; acceleration terrific and the braking system loaded with all the initials German technology can muster - ABS, EBD, ESP, HDA etc, etc.

Every safety device that can be added has been. Even at entry level, it is packed with airbags, all five occupants have three-point seat belts and crash active head restraints.

The cabin is smart and stylish. Depending on trim level, some have wood inlay, some have what is called piano effect inlay, which is either wood made to look like plastic or vice versa.

Either way, it's black, shiny and smooth to the touch.

Although Audi is keen to point out that it expects this car to sell to as many private buyers as company car execs, it makes a big point of the low emission levels. For most of us these just mean that the smaller the amount of fumes puthered out by our cars, the less harmful they are to the environment.

Anything below 165g/km is considered to be reasonably clean. For company car drivers the implications are more taxing - the cleaner their car, the less tax they pay.

For that reason, diesels have always been popular with the business community. What Audi has done is transfer its diesel technology to its petrol engines, to create a fuel-efficient, lean burn engine - the FSI.

Two new engines are available in the A3 - and here we have to include the figures - the 2.0-litre FSI petrol, from which you can expect an average of around 40mpg, and the 2.0-litre turbo diesel, which will return around 51mpg overall.

CO2 emissions on the FSI are 166g/km, which is the best in its class, and a very clean 149g/km for the TDI.

Opt for the smaller 1.6-litre petrol, which is also available from the outset, and you will get around 40mpg, while blasting out 168g/km.

If you can wait until early next year, the 1.9-litre TDI promises to be a real clean 132g/km and a very healthy 57mpg.

For those who like that feeling of power and blow everything else, the 3.2 litre V6 quattro is due in the showrooms this autumn - top speed 152 mph, average fuel consumption 27mpg and CO2 emissions 245g/km.

But the stats are not what the A3 is all about.

Even if sports cars are not usually your bag, give this one a whirl. The seat may be low and sporty but they are oh so comfortable.

The car may be set up like a sports job but opt for the standard or SE spec and the suspension is softer. The ride is still brilliant and the handling superb. There is plenty of leg and head room and, if rear access is an issue, opt for the five-door version. The boot is large enough to accommodate the family shopping and/or the executive luggage.

Prices start at £15,190 for the entry level 1.6-litre, rising to £23,665 for the 3.2-litre V6 quattro Sport.

Some might say the price is high for a compact hatchback, but we are talking Audi here - Vorsprung durch Technik and all that.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, June 27, 2003