All the petrol engines except the muscular 184bhp TFSI are frugal on the economy and CO2 fronts, however, with 52mpg-54mpg consumption and sub-126g/km CO2. And with the least powerful petrol unit trumping the diesel with a BIK company car tax band of just 10 per cent (13 per cent for the diesel test car), any company car tax calculator will show that they should not lightly be dismissed by business users.

Build quality, as now expected of Audi even in cheaper market sectors, is well up to corporate norm and sets a benchmark for pretty well every other manufacturer. The interior is tasteful, too, in its sober, Germanic fashion. But the car is not without flaws. A faint engine background grumbling takes the edge off refinement and, more seriously, like its A4 big brothers the hatchback has trouble reaching a ride compromise with Britain’s notoriously pock-marked, heaving and otherwise turbulent minor roads. Dampers and spring rates do not quite sing off the same hymn sheet, with the result of too much discord in the form of short, sharp suspension shocks.

It’s a pity, for in all other respect this smallest Audi steers and corners with accuracy and verve. Thus while the more stiffly-sprung ‘Sport’ version, with its contrasting roof colouring, may have more visual appeal, BCM would put its money on the more conservative ‘Dynamic’ alternative. Its suspension set-up is at least slightly more forgiving, though still far from best-in-class.

Audi A1 Sportback Sport 1.6 TDl – the low down