This new 306bhp Audi S3 Sportback costs £37,900

Time was, you’d need something like a 911 or M3 to get sub-five second 0-62mph times. Now you just need a 2.0-litre turbocharged small Audi, here revealed in S3 Sportback and S3 Saloon varieties.

Both new cars offer more than enough performance for the daily: 0-62mph takes just 4.8s, and top speed for both is limited to 155mph. This comes courtesy of that 2.0-litre turbo four-pot, offering 306bhp and 295lb ft of torque. It features such hits as Audi’s valve lift system, and “comprehensive thermal management measures” (ie, it’ll keep itself very cool which right now sounds welcome).

The engine’s hooked up to a standard-fit seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, and of course, quattro four-wheel drive. Audi claims 39.2mpg is possible, while both cars emit 178g/km of CO2.

The S3’s been dropped by 15mm over its regular A3 cousin, gets S-specific suspension with a few modes, ventilated front and rear brake discs, and 18in wheels, or 19s for the ‘Vorsprung’ cars.

Naturally both cars are longer and wider than the outgoing S3, offer some boot space (370 litres in the Saloon, 325/1,145 in the Sportback), fancy new leather sports seats, a 10.1in touchscreen display and Audi’s really quite amazing digital Virtual Cockpit. Other things are on offer too – MMI Nav Plus, CarPlay, Android Auto, driver assists, etc.

Looks? It looks… like a fast Audi. Big, shouty grille, aggressive air intakes on the front spoiler, fancy LED lights, a “pronounced shoulder line” underneath which the body curves a little inwards, to make the arches stand out a tad, and aluminium surrounds on the mirrors. Oh, and a big rear diffuser and four exhaust pipes.

So, the Sportback starts from £37,900, while the Saloon kicks off from £38,465. Reckon you're getting enough grille for your money?