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New Audi A3 goes on sale in the UK from September 2012 with prices starting at around £19,000. Five-door Sportback from later in 2012. A3 styling takes inspiration from Audi's current line-up with the front end very similar to the recently revised A4 range while rear echoes new A6 saloon. From the side it's still recognisable as an A3 and despite not being exactly a big departure in terms of looks, it's a neat design.

It's almost identical in length and height as the outgoing A3 but has a longer wheelbase and is slightly wider which should mean improved interiorspace. The cabin has been completely redesigned and Audi says that the new A3 'breaks new ground' in the hatchback market in terms of quality, materials and workmanship.

The engine line up majors on efficiency with three-newly developed four-cylinder engines. There's a 1.4 TFSI with 122PS and a 1.8 TFSI with 180PS along with the familiar 2.0 TDI 143PS diesel. A six-speed manual comes as standard except on the 1.8 TFSI which gets a seven-speed S tronic gearbox instead. Four-wheeldrive quattro models will be introduced later in 2012.

The 2.0 TDI will no doubt be popular among long distance drivers and it's no slouch with a 0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds yet still averages a highly impressive 68.9mpg with CO2emissions of just 106g/km. After the initial launch a more frugal 1.6 TDI diesel will be introduced which emits just 99g/km of CO2 meaning zero VED. Claimed economy is 74.3mpg.

The 1.4 TFSI looks a good choice too. Despite its small size the turbocharged engine should offer nippy performance with 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds. Claimed economy is still 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions are 120g/km. Audi is also set to introduce a hybrid version plus there will of course be a new high performance S3 and a Cabriolet version.