A five-star Euro NCAP crash test score comes thanks to the many Audi S3 safety systems available. As standard you get two front, side and head airbags. There’s also a new knee airbag for the driver and ‘rest recognition’, which warns the driver to take a rest if tiredness is detected.

Optional safety systems include Audi’s Pre-Safe, which prepares the car in the event it senses a crash is imminent. There’s Adaptive Cruise Control, which changes the vehicle’s speed if it senses a car is in front when cruise control is active.

Audi Side Assist is a form of blind spot warning, which senses when cars are behind and to the side and warns the driver. If the driver ignores the warning and goes to pull out, a far more obvious deterrent is issued which Audi claims is nearly impossible to miss.

Audi S3 practicality is extremely similar to that of the A3. In fact, it’s identical. You get the same 325-litre boot space which isn’t as large as a Ford Focus ST, but it is big enough for most people’s needs.

There’s a selection of cubbies and the door pockets are a decent size too. The glovebox will house anything you want kept out of sight.

Because an electric handbrake is installed, there’s more than enough elbow room which can sometimes be obstructed by a large handbrake lever.