Sector: Lower-medium Price: €24,520–€41,370 Fuel: 4.6-8.2l/100km CO2: 107-152g/km

The A3 accounts for a fifth of Audi’s global volume, and despite a conservative styling evolution with the third-generation it’s comfortably the best seller in the premium C-segment. Yet despite a 16-year success story, the lack of a limousine has left a gaping hole in its product offering.

It’s hard to believe in Western Europe, where even the biggest-selling hatchbacks struggle to find buyers when they grow a boot, but globally this is far from a niche model. Audi has opened a new factory in Hungary just to build this model, and as many as half of Chinese and North American customers are expected to opt for the booted version. Once the second factory opens in China – just for domestic customers – 30% of global A3 production will be the limousine. So it’s big news.

Sales expectations are far more modest in Europe, though. In hatchback-dominated markets, the manufacturer sees the A3 Limousine as an option for customers with mainstream D-segment cars, looking to downsize but move up to a more desirable badge.

Trim levels vary depending on the market, but these are based on three basic versions, comprising the entry-level Attraction, sporty Ambition and luxurious Ambiente. Some markets will be offered the S line and Luxe packages on the latter two, others will feature these as models in its own right. Prices are €420 higher than the Sportback.

But the traditional three-box limousine shape means the A3 feels brighter and roomier in the back than the CLA, despite being shorter. Wider wheelarches and a short boot make the A3 limousine feel stocky rather than stretched, and bode well for the next Cabrio which will be based on this instead of the hatchback. Rear legroom is identical to the Sportback, while boot space has grown by 60 litres albeit with a narrower opening.

Launch engines include the 150hp 2.0 TDI which has proved popular in the rest of the range, and this smooth, efficient unit is predicted to be the biggest seller.

A 184hp version will follow in December, along with the 1.6 TDI with range-lowest CO2 emissions of 99g/km. Despite the 45hp drop in power, this is more than adequate for most drivers, and easily settles at 4.3l/100km on long journeys.

Petrol versions include 1.4 and 1.8 TFSI units at launch, the smaller of which features Cylinder-on-Demand technology, allowing it to run on two cylinders at low loads. It’s a pleasure to use, light and revvy to drive and switching seamlessly into its fuel-saving mode, but despite diesel-like 109g/km CO2 emissions it’s also €500 more expensive than the 2.0 TDI which will blunt its appeal.

The 1.2-litre TFSI petrol found in the Sportback isn’t being offered in the

Limousine, while quattro four-wheel drive is available on the 2.0 TDI and 1.8 TFSI in selected markets.

The Limousine shares its three no-cost interchangeable suspension setups with the Sportback. Tested on the sport setup, as fitted to the Ambition model, even on heavily potholed roads it felt suppler than the CLA without becoming wallowy through corners. It’s only the largest wheels which give it a tendency to thump uncomfortably over lumpy tarmac.

The limousine may not be a mass-market car for Western Europe as yet, but the A3 has become a well-rounded hatchback and its best qualities translate neatly into a worthy compact alternative to the A4.

Verdict:

The A3 offers the space and comfort which should be available from the CLA, albeit in a less daring design. A great choice for MPG-minded downsizers.