Audi started 2007 by quite literally running rings round its principal opponents. In January it sold more cars in the UK than BMW and Mercedes Benz put together and last year saw its sixth successive record year of sales here. The UK is Audi's second most important export market, ranking only behind the much more populous United States, and then not by much. Audi is predicting that if things go on the way they are, then it could be the dominant premium car brand by 2015. But not if BMW and Mercedes can help it, that's for sure. Helping to drive the UK success has been the A3 and with Audi's 2007 order bank already 73 per cent ahead of last year sourcing new A3s might be a headache. This could push up demand for late plate used cars, firming prices. That's not what used car buyers really want to hear but at least it means what they spend will be reasonably well protected. I've just been driving an A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI with the 168 bhp engine. By coincidence, the same week I also had a Skoda Octavia estate on the drive with the identical engine, giving me the chance to compare two ostensibly identical VW Group products. When placing VW and Skoda cars head to head, there's very little to choose and I would take the Skoda option every time. But the Audi felt much more refined, with less engine vibration feeding through the pedals to reach the driver. So, if you want sophistication and finesse, it's the Audi that clinches it. The A3 is an appealing car, and has been ever since its launch in 1996. For several years it was only offered as a three door - it took Audi a full three years to get round to bringing the five door option to the UK. Now the five door is quite different from the three. It's a semi-estate in the same way as the Subaru Impreza five door is when compared to other, more conventional hatches. I have always liked the A3, although I'm not too keen on the new corporate Audi face which has been added across the range. That said, once you're inside you can't see it anyway so maybe the looks are not quite so important The A3 has a high-waisted look no matter which model you go for, the latest or the original. It's quite pleasing from the outside although when you are in the car it can feel a little claustrophobic. This is especially so in the back of the three door. The original cars came with a choice of 1.6 or 1.8 petrol engines, although with a variety of power outputs, right up to 221 bhp for the hairiest of them. The latest design adds 2.0 four cylinder and 3.2 V6 engines to this - and then, of course, you get the diesels which again come in a good variety of outputs. Many people rate the diesels very highly and they have sold well, so you may find it easier to get a diesel than a petrol model. Running costs are generally good, with generous fuel consumption from all but the most powerful petrol models. Service intervals were 10,000 and 20,000 miles but on the latest there's a variable indicator to let you know when attention's due. Insurance is a minimum of Group 9. A 99S A3 three door 1.6 will cost around £4,500. Budget £7,000 car and you'll be in a 01/51 1.8 five door Sport. The latest shape begins at £10,000 for an 03 three door 1.6. Maurice Hardy