Like many of you I’m a big guy with big expectations. Thus, when Audi delivered its new A3 2.0T MT6 to my house I looked at it and jokingly (?) asked where its mother is. It looked kind of small for my tastes. However, I signed the waiver, took the keys and went back in the house. Because of scheduling I was going to have it almost twice as long as I normally would. At that point I was in no hurry to compress myself and go for a spin. Turns out the joke was on me and I wasted a block of time not driving a vehicle that has suddenly become one of my new best friends.

The A3 is classified as a small station wagon. (Do you hear that, Detroit ... a station wagon?) It’s not only versatile, but as an added bonus it’s fun to drive. I put it through almost every driving condition it would face in a lifetime except snow, ice and off-roading. I don’t have any doubt of its ability in snow (it’s front-wheel-drive) and you certainly aren’t going to off-road with this thing – especially with a 4-inch ground clearance. (Oh, you can for a short time … but don’t expect me to come out and get you.)

What you have is basically a five-passenger (four if you’re not a sadist and enjoy doing a number on the person sitting in the middle of the rear seat) that will go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed electronically limited at 130 mph. Not bad for an inline four-cylinder motor, is it? The 2.0-liter engine has direct fuel injection, four valves per cylinder and an exhaust turbocharger with intercooler. Horsepower is 200 and torque is 207 pound-feet.

The test vehicle had a smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission. Clutch feel on the A3 was excellent. I was in one of Chicago’s famous two-hour construction delays and even though I was constantly pumping the clutch pedal, the combination of the light pressure and the high low-end torque cut down on my shifts by probably 40 percent. I thought I’d have thighs like Lance Armstrong by the time I reached my house but discovered happily that I was still able to walk with a spring in my step (as opposed to a pin in my hip). There’s an optional S tronic automatic transmission that allows lightning-fast gear changes with uninterrupted traction thanks to its electro-hydraulically controlled twin clutches.

The A3 was equipped with the optional S Line Sport Package ($2,000 and a good buy overall) that gives the vehicle more aggressive front and rear fascias as well as performance tires and sportier interior appointments. Also part of the S Line Sport Package: leather seating surfaces, 3-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels with all season tires, sport suspension, aluminum belt line trim, roof spoiler, front fog lamps, sport seats, S Line badges and S-Line bumpers, trip computer, illumination package and radio button and air conditioning vents in aluminum alloy.

A highly-sophisticated suspension design provides excellent driving dynamics. MacPherson front suspension and an innovative four-link independent rear suspension create sporty and agile handling, excellent cornering performance and a high level of comfort. The A3 is fitted with electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance.

The Audi A3 sports the distinctive mark of the latest Audi generation – a single-frame grille with the easily-identified Audi four circles in the center. The S Line A3s have larger and more aggressive air intakes and a front lip.

From the side the sloping roofline blends nicely with the tail end and gives it a more powerful proportion as the car sits low on the road. The rear end features my favorite – a dual exhaust system. S Line cars have a revised rear bumper with a more pronounced and contrasting lower valance.

Getting in to the vehicle is a snap – even for people with the girth of … er … my Uncle Barney. Once in it’s very comfortable to sit in the seat and drive for hours. The redundant audio controls on the steering wheel mean you never have to take your hands off the wheel. Speaking of audio, audiophiles will enjoy the standard 140-watt stereo with 10 speakers and Sirius satellite radio preparation. Optional systems will make your ears happy.

The instrument panel sits nicely before ye and the speedometer and tachometer are large enough to see without glasses. The floor pedals on the S Line are aluminum. They’re really sporty-looking but I would have liked to have seen more of a width between the gas pedal-brake pedal-clutch. If you’re wearing wide-soled shoes it’s a really tight fit and you could inadvertently slam on the brake when you meant to hit the accelerator. Consider your shoe wardrobe before driving.

The air/heat vents are ideally-sized and versatile with an aluminum ring surrounding them. Aluminum trim elements throughout the interior give the A3 an upscale look. The test vehicle didn’t have a navigation system, which was no problem because I knew where I was going, but one is available. There’s a handy-dandy coin tray built into the center stack and the center armrest is ergonomically friendly. The cruise control arm is nicely hidden behind the steering wheel and out of the way of the turn signal stick. Luggage capacity is 19.5 cubic-feet.

City/highway miles per gallon with the six-speed manual are 23/32, or 25/33 with the automatic. I was consistently near, or even better than estimates because I was doing so much freeway driving.

There are lots of packages and optional equipment for the A3. Base price is $25,340 and with the equipment I had on the test vehicle, the price was $31,165 (including $775 destination charges).

This vehicle is still one for people smaller than … er … my Uncle Barney but should the opportunity arise where you can log some miles in the Audi A3, size does not matter…the vehicle makes you forget all those hamburgers you’ve warehoused in your belly.