TIMES are not good and the road to recovery remains rocky with fuel costs stubbornly refusing to drop significantly in the face of lower oil prices, councils hiking residential parking permits for bigger engined cars and economic warnings coming with greater frequency than weather forecasts.

Which has all contributed to placard waving against capitalism and conspicuous consumption in London, New York, you name it. Protestors say, no matter what we have been told, greed is not good. You can't eat money, apparently. But you can buy lunch with it.

And it is just that sort of climate which has led to increased interest in high-spec fuel efficient cars like the A1, Audi's cheapest, smallest car ever. It may share it's underpinnings with the VW Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia but this is most definitely an upmarket exec left on a hot wash.

Which is why the range-topping 182bhp S-line 1.4 TFSI seven-speed S Tronic featured will set you back over £20,000, even without the addition of significant extras..

So what makes it worth the price tag? Sophistication, not just a moderately long word but a reasonable summation of what the A1 brings to its market.

Equipment wise you get a lot but what stands out is the optional high definition HDD sat nav which rises from the top of the dash and interior cosmetics and quality which leave others for dead. This really does feel like an car from much further up the Audi range.

Full standard kit includes alloys, sport suspension, body styling, multi function leather steering wheel and driver information system but the navigator is £1,375 and reversing, rain and light sensors add £600. Ambient cabin lighting, however, is free and it really does help night driving.

The DSG gearbox and racy styling suggest that on the road excitement levels will be almost sinful. Well, not quite. This is a very grown up drive, it has plenty of grip but the overall feel is businesslike, much more substantial than its dimensions suggest. Something accentuated by the weight of the steering. Very Audi.

Fast? Well yes, actually and if they could afford the adult themed price many youthful drivers would love it.

There are one or two points of contention. Front seat passengers will travel in comfort but rear leg room is limited and there's not a huge amount of luggage space under the hatch.

There's nothing particularly groundbreaking about the A1 and for some the cheaper but still refined Polo will do. On the other hand if this really is the road to perdition we may as well travel in style.