Audi A3 Sportback

Both offer superlative engineering standards, and the choice between these cars is largely a matter of personal taste, though the BMW has the benefit of the more established service and re-sale market in the Middle East.

However, Audi has a strong following in its major US, UK and German markets and many owners would never own another car. One unique quality is the Audi Quattro permanent four-wheel drive which also extends to the premium compact A3 Sportback.

Does this really make for better handling and improved safety? Certainly journalists testing the A3 in a parking lot in Dubai in February found the Sportback a highly responsive vehicle. The latest generation of ABS, ESP and electromechical steering give exceptional handling under emergency conditions, but how much is down to the permanent four-wheel drive is hard to tell.

But this is a fun car to drive, and there are no less than five engine options. The top-of-the-line 3.2-litre V6 delivers 250 bhp with a sporty Direct Shift Gearbox offered on the 3.2 V6 and 2-ltre turbo FSI which combines power transmission with sports car swiftness.

This kind of engineering beneath the bonnet is complimented by a highly sophisticated dynamic suspension system that delivers sporty handling with a high standard of stability. Steering is electromechanical and has won praise from the motoring press.

The boast of precision and performance is amply supported by the experience of this correspondent behind the wheel, although one caveat is that this kind of engineering excellence can encourage drivers to over-rate their own driving ability.

The finish of the Audi A3 Sportback also has that reassuringly solid feel of German quality. Nothing is going to fall off the interior panels, the doors close with a firm clunk. The sound system and air-conditioning are in the premium class and the two-part open sky glass sunroof is typical of German attention to detail. There are also separate blinds inside the car to protect from the sun.

Design is always a subjective area. But the single grille of the Audi is instantly recognizable and the contours are distinctive, if not quite as defined as the Audi TT.

In short while this is not a car for everyone, the younger executive looking for something a bit different will find much to admire in the latest generation of A3, and with a UAE price from Dhs96,000 this is also very good value-for-money.

The question of after-sales service and re-sale value is also being addressed with Audi committed to investing $65 million in the region over the next few years, and expanding sales from 2,500 to 10,000. Thus by the time it comes to change your Audi for the next model the market will probably be transformed.