AUDI A3

Premium hatch joins our fleet, and its bright metallic paint has already earned it a nickname

- Sarah Perks

ALTHOUGH I have been working at Auto Express since 1999, this is my very first long-term test car. Some of our long-standing readers might remember former Editor-in-Chief, David Johns - who also happens to be my husband - as a long-time admirer of Audi. So when we found out I'd be running an A3 Sportback for the next few months, there was genuine excitement in the house.

Straight away, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather the python, in the case of this A3. Some say, 'If you're going to make an entrance, make it bold' - and Audi clearly agrees. There's no missing our car in metallic Python yellow, that's for sure. I should also admit I'm a person who names their cars. So this bright yellow beauty could only be called Monty - as in Monty Python. I expect the Auto Express team are already rolling their eyes!

Normally I'm more understated, and would pick a more muted colour for a car. But we chose one of Audi's beautifully finished metallic colours, and I think it really suits the sporty, low-slung looks of the A3.