So you dig the new Audi A3 but you simply have too much baggage?
Lucky for you, Audi has just lifted the veil on a more practical version of the advanced new hatch.
Like it did in the previous range, the Sportback offers the extra practicality of two back doors but whereas the old model killed most of the visual excitement by resembling a scaled-down Avant, the new one has a tauter shape that's more hatch than wagon.
TAKING A STRETCH
That's not to say the new Sportback's given up on bring practical - it is slightly bigger than the old one and its wheelbase is 35mm longer than that of the three-door A3. Audi promises several millimetres more rear leg room and head room than its predecessor, while the boot can gobble 380 litres. Fold the seats down and you have as much as 1220 litres to play with.
Built on VW's new MQB modular platform also means its gets to gloat about weight loss and according to Audi's less-burdened scale, it's up to 90kg lighter than before.
This, and its new range of engines, makes the range an average of ten percent more economical than before.
FRUGAL ENGINES
In fact the most efficient of them all, the 1.6 TDI, is said to sip just 3.8 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. Audi are too shy to say how much power it makes, but they do claim a 10.9-second 0-100km/h time.
Further up the compression-ignition ladder are two versions of the 2.0 TDI, with output levels of 110kW/320Nm and 135kW/380Nm, and respective drinking habits of 4.6 and 4.3 l/100.
The initial petrol engine spread comprises direct injection turbocharged TFSI motors in 90kW/200Nm 1.4- and 132kW/250Nm 1.8-litre guises. Audi claims a 7.3-second 0-100 for the bigger engine.
Later on, the range will be expanded to include a 77kW/175Nm 1.2 TFSI and a 103kW/250Nm 1.4 TFSI with cylinder-deactivation. For this version, Audi claims diesel-like consumption of 4.7 l/100km and a decent-enough 8.4-second 0-100km/h sprint.
LOVES THE CORNERS
Every engine in the range is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, but they can also be had with the S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard-issue too, while quattro all-wheel drive can be ordered on the 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI models.
As for suspension, the Sportback has wishbones on the front end and a four-link fully independent axle on the back. A range of 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels aids the grip situation while customers wanting to go big can even choose from a range of 18-inch options.
Those with deep pockets can turn their A3s into something of a Starship Enterprise without wings.
Available gadgets include an MMI operating system with 3D graphics and voice control, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, wifi internet access for passengers, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, drowsiness detection, parallel parking assistant with 360-degree display, speed limit recognition, multi-collision brake assistant and more.
It'll do just about everything besides cooking your lunch, making your coffee and leaving a chocolate on your bed, in other words.
Expect to see it in South African showrooms in the first quarter of next year.