AMONG the many features of the latest Audi A3 is an engine system known by the acronym CoD - but there's nothing fishy about this German machine.

The entry-level 1.4-litre petrol TFSI engine features cylinder deactivation technology - the aforementioned CoD - which sees two of the four cylinders cut out of the power chain when demand is low.

The benefit of this, plus the fitting of stop/start, is seen in the average fuel consumption figures with Audi claiming 60.1mpg and emissions of 109g/km.

My time with this smart saloon saw that figure come in at a still respectable 50-plus to the gallon - while performance figures, including a 0 to 60 time of just over eight seconds and a top speed of 135mph, show that despite the decent fuel economy the 140ps engine still manages to produce the grunt required.

It is helped by the seven speed automatic box with paddle shifters which provide seamless gear changes.

The saloon, the 30th new model the German firm has launched in the past 12 years, sits on the much-feted MOB modular platform and is unusual in the compact premium sector in having a boot.

The A3 has plenty of kerb appeal as it benefits from looking much like every other car Audi build so when viewed from a distance can be mistaken for the bigger, and much more expensive, A4 or even the A6.

The classy styling features clean lines, panel gaps you'd struggle to slip a piece of paper through and snazzy light clusters. There are daytime running lights giving the face of the A3 a mean and moody look.

The interior is similarly well put together with a pop-up display on the centre of the dashboard where you can view the sat nav if you've paid the £1,500 for the Technology package which is an optional extra on the Sport model.

There are also neat circular air vents, easy to use switches and a rotary control wheel just behind the gearlever giving access to the Multi Media Interface controlling most of the car's major functions.

The saloon offers 10 per cent more boot room than the hatchback as it is six inches linger - so a family's weekly supermarket shopping or the golf clubs and trolley are easily catered for in the 425-litre space. A nice touch is a boot lid that rises automatically when unlocked and if more space is needed the rear seats fold to leave 880-litres for cargo.

Rear passengers have a reasonable amount of space to get comfortable in although leg room can get a bit tight if the driver or front seat passenger are tall. The sports seats are supportive which, together with the smooth ride, ease the pain of long journeys and unreliable roads.

A decent position behind a steering wheel festooned with controls is easy to achieve.

The A3 offers smart safety features so there are a number of electronic aids, a pedestrian-friendly active bonnet and a driver tiredness monitor to go with the seven airbags.

There are two trim levels - the Sport model including dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth and a USB socket while S line versions add trinkets such as bigger alloys and part-leather seats.