Audi is gearing up for the launch of the new S3 sedan, or saloon as the Brits call it, in the Blighty in March 2014. They just confirmed the car’s prices and specs, and we have to say it complements the S3 range, consisting of hatch, sportback and cabriolet, rather nicely.

What we have here is a compact, all-wheel-drive 300 PS sedan that goes from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds (S tronic twin-clutch transmission) and has a limited top speed of 155 mpg. Sounds brilliant on paper, but as we know four-wheel-drive Audi saloons tend to be a bit too clinical and, dare we say it, boring.

The 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in this Audi does 40.9mpg, which considering its power output, is pretty good. Then again, it doesn’t have to carry that much weight around, as the S3 sedan weighs in at 1,430kg. It’s not exactly a featherweight, but it’s not obese either. The car also uses progressive electric steering that saves a bit of fuel. Even dual-zone climate control, the cruise control, the adaptive cruise control and the adaptive light are adjusted for optimal fuel consumption.

So the 2014 Audi S3 Saloon is fast and economical, and somewhat sporty. Good news is, it is also rather practical. For starters it has four doors and a proper boot with 350 liters of space. This capacity can be increased by folding down the split rear seat backs. The boot lid automatically swings upward when the release button on the key or the touch pad on the lid is pressed.

What’s more, the S3 is very well-equipped with equipment like dual-zone electronic climate control, Audi Music Interface iPod connection, DAB digital radio, a Bluetooth phone interface and preparation for SD card-based satellite navigation, and technology features such as 4G/LTE in-car internet-based services including Google Services and social media.

Almost forgot! The 2014 Audi S3 Saloon is priced at £33,240 on the road.