THE third generation of the Audi A3 Sportback is smiles better than its predecessor.

Longer, higher and wider, the five-door premium hatchback looks a treat both inside and out while the 1.8 TFSI Sport S tronic version can do nothing but put you in a good mood.

It is both a driver's car and a geek's paradise offering a host of techno gizmos - most, admittedly, only available as options - designed to keep it at the forefront of the online revolution currently sweeping the motoring world.

I'm an old-fashioned soul though, so my first allegiance must be to an assessment of how the car drives.

The turbo petrol engine underneath the bonnet of the car tested is a joy - aided and abetted in its mission to delight by the seven-speed automatic S tronic transmission which efficiently moves the A3 through the gears.

It's nippy from a standing start reaching 62mph in 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 144mph which unfortunately had to remain untested.

Audi claims this A3 can achieve an average fuel consumption figure of 50.4mpg but the on-board computer's average miles per gallon display rarely got into the 40s. However the urge to put pedal to metal is hard to resist - inevitably using more gas.

Carbon dioxide emissions of 130g/km are reasonably low for an engine producing 180PS - the performance helped by the use of engine stop-start technology.

There are more frugal versions of the A3 Sportback available it's just that they won't brighten your day as much as this one.

The steering is sharp and responsive, the handling sure-footed while the ride offers the comfort of a much bigger car as the suspension absorbs almost everything thrown at it.

The A3 Sportback also catches the eye thanks to stylish lines, a natty spoiler and attractive light clusters both front and rear.

The interior uses top-notch materials and oozes class. There is a driver-orientated wraparound dashboard, electric handbrake plus circular vents with chrome surrounds.

The A3 Sportback's boot capacity is 380 litres - ten more than before - and there are split/folding rear seats which lay flat allowing capacity to be increased to 1,220 litres. The luggage area is also fitted with an adjustable floor making the car easier to load.

For those up front there is plenty of room - but a sloping roof reduces headroom a touch in the back.

There are three trim levels - SE, Sport and S line - with the Sport model I drove boasting a host of goodies including a multi-media sound system and a retractable display screen that's about as thick as an After Eight mint.

There are also eye-catching alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, a sports steering wheel and aluminium bits and bobs that give the car a snazzy feel both inside and out.

Front, side and curtain airbags are also included and there's a pop-up bonnet to help minimise injuries to pedestrians. 

Step up to the top-of the-range S line version and bigger alloys, body styling and part-leather seats are just some of the extras thrown in.

There's also the option of including Audi connect which allows you to hook up to the on-line world.