A3 as good as it gets.

Byline: Bernard Cole

TEMPTING motoring writers to the launch of a new model for a largely irrelevant Far East motoring manufacturer is, I would imagine, not always that easy.

Because, to be honest, who cares?

Let's pretend Korean car giant Carshitzu has decided to make something called a Suprima.

This would undoubtedly be yet another faceless saloon aimed at the lower end of the executive market featuring cruise control, air-conditioning, 32-speaker CD/radio, electrically-controlled everything and costing about the same as a packet of crisps.

But Carshitzu is, let us remember, always looking for younger drivers too. So it might also launch its 'radical' new Bonka 4x4.

The Bonka falls somewhere between a MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) and a SUV (sports utility vehicle) and has been defined as a 'Compact Recreational And Pastime Vehicle' or CRAP-V for short.

It was designed by Carshitzu's 'maverick' engineers in their lunchbreaks, is capable of over 300mpg and would look rather like a small fridge-freezer on wheels except that it is only three inches wide and over 20ft high.

Other manufacturers have less difficulty in generating interest in a press launch simply because they make more appealing cars.

If, for example, Mercedes announced a wide-ranging redesign to the wing mirrors on the beautiful CLK soft-top which left the rest of the car unchanged, the queue for test drives would still stretch from here to eternity because most motoring hacks are looking for any excuse to drive one.

The situation is the same, I suspect, for Audi and its glorious-looking A3.

Everybody who is anybody went out of their way to drive one following the launch in 1996. And it received very positive reviews apart one imponderable: Why is a hatchback only available with three doors?

Well now Audi has fixed that with the launch of a five-door A3 three months ago. And it gave the chance to test one once again.

To be honest, its new five-door A3 is exactly the same as the three-door apart from the fact it is easier to get into the back than it was before.

That is fine by me because I think the A3 is one of the best-looking cars on the road and is also one of the nicest to drive.

The handling is so tight, the braking so firm, the steering so precise and the drive so comfortable, quiet and yet exhilarating it leaves you wondering how everyone else gets it so wrong.

Inside, you feel as secure as if sitting in a Golf but also, because the A3 is so high-waisted, as though your foot is poised over the accelerator of a sports car.

And it is - well almost.

There is now a range of seven four-cylinder engines in the A3 range. The petrol line-up begins with a 1.6-litre and is followed by four 1.8-litre units - from a non-turbo 125bhp to a turbo-charged 210bhp.

Audi has also fitted two 1.9-litre TDI engines producing 90bhp and 110bhp.

I was loaned the 1.8T Sport which produces 150bhp and takes the car to 60mph in 8.1 seconds - although it feels quicker than that.

All A3s come with a host of features as standard including alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, driver and passenger airbags and remote central locking.

But it is not the long list of toys that leaves the impression.

In fact, I am not sure what it is apart from that inside and out the A3 is just about as good as it gets.

The only surprise with the car is that only 22,000 have been sold in the past three years in the UK. Maybe having five doors will alter that.

Audi A3 1.8T Sport

How much: pounds 20,174 on the road

How quick: 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds. Top speed 135 mph

How thirsty: 36.7mpg

Engine: 1,781cc, four-cylinder, 20-valve, turbo producing

150bhp

Insurance: Group 14

Warrantee: Three-year mechanical, 12-year anti-corrosion