SETTING a benchmark for fuel efficiency with the best fuel economy figures for any premium-sector vehicle at just 65.7mpg, the Audi A2 1.4 TDI (90PS) becomes available to order this month.

Priced from just £15,090 on the road, first deliveries of the car capable of covering more than 600 miles on one 42-litre tank of fuel are expected to arrive in the New Year.

Thanks to the highly-advanced 1.4 TDI engine meeting strin-gent Euro IV emission standards, the three per cent Benefit in Kind tax supplement for company car users is avoided, putting the A2 TDI (90PS) in the lowest possible tax bracket.

Despite its huge tax-saving appeal, this new engine also offers spirited performance, sprinting from nought to 62mph in just 10.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 117mph.

Appearing for the first time in the A2 is the distinctively revised new front grille, still incorporating the innovative folding service flap, which provides easy access to the oil dipstick and filler caps for engine oil and washer fluid.

A further three new paint colours have been introduced to the A2 range - Akoya Silver metallic, Cherry Red pearl-effect and Mauritus Blue pearl-effect, bringing the total number of paint finishes for the A2 to 13.

Also available in the A2 for the first time are 16-inch five-star spoke alloys. The advanced design of the Audi A2 flouts convention.

It is the first volume production car to feature a bodyshell built entirely from aluminium, reducing its weight by more than 40 per cent compared with its steel counterpart.

The A2 also has a very low drag coefficient of just 0.28, bringing benefits in ride comfort, handling agility, performance and fuel economy.

The Audi A2 first arrived in the UK in September 2000 to a fanfare of accolades, including the Design and Art Direction Award 2001 and Scottish Car of the Year 2000.