THIS is the new version of Audi’s baby and for many it could represent an entry into ownership of the well-regarded German marque.

And, of course, being an Audi, it’s pretty decent all-round.

My tester was the 1.6 TDI, which puts out 116ps and aims to help your pocket by way of CO2 down to 97g/km – making road tax free – and managing a rather tidy combined mpg of 76, or 80 in the five-speed manual. I was easily in the 50s on a real-world motorway jaunt without even using the ‘efficiency’ setting – one of three available alongside ‘auto’ and ‘dynamic’.

It’s quite a remarkable engine really, as it doesn’t lack in a bit of power when you need it and everything was nice and smooth when hooked up to the excellent seven-speed, dual-clutch, auto gearbox.

Whether you need a diesel or not is debateable when there are also 1.0 and 1.4 TFSI petrols on offer – both still very good on economy and cleanliness – before you look at the 2.0 TFSI in the 231ps S1.

The standard kit list isn’t bad – all cars get the 6.5in multimedia screen, DAB, alloys, start-stop, electric windows and air con.

The interior is typical Audi quality, which is to say that it’s very good, although it does feel a little bit ‘last generation’ compared to its more premium models like the A3 or TT.

And while the multimedia system is decent from a functionality point of view, its graphics are low-res and not a patch on Audi’s gorgeous efforts seen in bigger cars.

But otherwise things on the inside are as ergonomically beautiful as ever and it feels like a pretty special place to be.

Higher models add to the party with more bells and buttons in the infotainment system, alongside bigger wheels and the like.

But, as always with Audi, tech like sat nav, cruise control and the parking sensors are all cost options.

That said, a mere £14,355 will see you join the Audi club with a nifty 1.0 litre petrol and free road tax – and that’s really decent value by any measure.

And the world’s your oyster – you can go all the way to £26,155 for the S1 Sportback, before options, the list of which is extensive, to say the least.