Design Audi Saloon

Design Audi Saloon

Just as the Porsche Cayman is a smaller, cheaper alternative to the 911, the Audi A3 Saloon seems to be treading on the A4’s toes.

The Mercedes CLA rival has now arrived in right-hand-drive form, but the question remains: should the A4 be scared about losing sales to its little brother?

The Saloon is based on the longer wheelbase of the five-door A3 Sportback, but is 150mm longer overall, plus 11mm wider and 9mm lower. Rear legroom still doesn’t match that of the Audi A4, but there’s more room than in the back of the Mercedes CLA. It’s the Mercedes that wins on boot space, though, with 470 litres versus 425 litres.

Interior Audi Saloon

This 138bhp 1.4 TFSI engine is the entry point to the Audi A3 Saloon range, positioning it as a slightly more premium product than the hatches, which are available with a 104bhp 1.2 TFSI. It never feels like a base-spec car, though, with feisty acceleration when you keep the throttle floored and let the turbos hit their stride.

Engine: 1.4-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 138bhp

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, front-wheel drive

0-62mph: 8.4 seconds

Top speed: 135mph

Economy: 60.1mpg

CO2: 109g/km

Equipment: ESP, Bluetooth, climate control, electric parking brake, multifunction steering wheel

On sale: Now