December 23, 2005 - Here's an interesting formula: Joe Global Carmaker takes an existing, plebeian front-wheel-drive compact platform from his line-up, loads it to the gunwales with features, sticks an upscale badge on its rump, et volia! He now has what's called a “premium compact” that he can sell for premium profits. Some manufacturers have not been so successful in such attempts (Saab 9-2X, come on down!), but with features usually exclusive to cars costing $10k more, the idea of driving a premium, smaller (i.e., more fun to drive) car, is becoming more and more popular:

THIRD PLACE Mercedes-Benz B 200 Turbo $34,950 - Compact on the outside, E Class-room on the inside, the B's sandwich construction and looong wheelbase makes this five-passenger hatchback a wonderment of space utilization making the Volvo and Audi look like yestreday's news. But this isn't “Three for the Loading Dock”, so what's the futuristic B like to drive? Pedals that one can easily heal 'n toe with make the standard six-speed manual transmission an easy decision over the CVT slushbox ($1,500). Despite a noticeable gruffness at low revs before the turbo kicks in, the 190-hp, 206 lb-ft of torque 2.0-litre in-line four will make you think the AMG gang were involved. Handling at 8/10ths is surprisingly sure for such a capacious vehicle. Steering is light, direct and accurate; the B 200 Turbo turns in well. Despite ABS, ESP and EBD, when you are hard on the throttle in tight turns, and the inevitable torque steer occurs, all of the electronic systems (that can't be shut down) intrude rudely, preventing experienced drivers from having any kind of fun. Oh well. The B is obviously more tuned towards comfort and luxury, easily topping the Audi and Volvo in those areas. DRIVER'S CHOICE Comet Grey, and the four-way steering column ($235) with 17" wheels/performance rubber ($1,315). PLEBEIAN ALTERNATIVE Reading this in Europe? Go get a Mercedes A Class. BOTTOM LINE Roomy? Oh yeah. FTD? Not so much.

SECOND PLACE Volvo V50 T5 $38,620 - Regardless of the V50 being crammed with the usual Volvo safety goodies, this, and its S40 sedan-mate, are the most fun to drive cars in the Volvo showroom. And its not the 218-hp, 236-lb-ft of torque from the blown, 2.5-litre inline-five that makes the best first impression. No, it's the way this car behaves in the twisties. Compact proportions and a chassis that's been breathed upon by the excellent Euro Ford suspension gurus means you better have the groceries safely stowed in the largest cargo bay of this trio. The front-drive T5 comes standard with a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission borrowed from the V70R, plus stability/traction control. However, unlike the B 200 Turbo or A3, if you need more grip, all-wheel-drive is available. Surprisingly, the Sport Package ($4,200) is not recommended. Its 17-inch rubber helps in overall grip on smooth surfaces, but the additional unsprung weight of the larger wheels and tires overwhelms the suspension causing a harsh ride over sharp bumps that the Mercedes and Audi willingly absorb. Other debits in the driving dynamic are steering that is accurate, but vague in feel, and seats that are long haul comfy, but could use more lateral and thigh support. DRIVER'S CHOICE Titanium Grey and AWD ($2,500). PLEBEIAN ALTERNATIVE The Mazda3 Sport has less power and features, but is even more fun to drive. BOTTOM LINE It's official: A Volvo for drivers.

FIRST PLACE Audi A3 2.0 T $32,950 - Hold onto your lederhosen: the Audi is the heaviest, (outweighing the Mercedes by 185 kilograms), has similar power ratings from its own turbocharged 2,0-litre inline four, and yet is 1.5 seconds quicker to 100 kilometres an hour? Mated to the standard six-speed stick, virtually no turbo lag is present, with all 207 lb-ft of torque available as low as 1,800 rpm. The optional (and excellent) Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic ($1,650) might tempt you, but the manual has a clear-cut, mechanical feel that makes shifting gears fun. In fact “fun” is what the A3 delivers, non-stop, even without the balanced traction of AWD. There's very little lean in the corners and the ride is compliant like the Mercedes without the stiffness found in the Volvo. With its sloped roofline, admittedly, the A3 has the least usable cargo space of this trio (see the pattern?) Imagine a five-door TT Coupe and you're not too far off. DRIVER'S CHOICE Lava Gray, and the Sport package ($2,500). PLEBEIAN ALTERNATIVE The new Volkswagen GTI coming early '06 is essentially a three-door A3 2.0 T BOTTOM LINE Is the A3 2.0 T the most fun to drive premium compact? Maybe not. A drive in the new $44,990, S-Line A3 3.2 Quattro S-Line, with its 250-hp 3.2-litre V6 engine hooked up to DSG tranny may convince you otherwise.

SPECS

THIRD PLACE Mercedes-Benz B 200 Turbo
ENGINE 2.0L inline-four-cylinder turb
POWER 193 hp @ 5,000 rpm; 206 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm
FUEL ECONOMY L/100 km 10.2L city, 6.9L hwy.
BASE PRICE: $34,950

SECOND PLACE Volvo V50 T5
ENGINE 2.5L inline-five-cylinder turbo
POWER 218 hp @ 5,000 rpm; 236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
FUEL ECONOMY L/100 km 10.6L city, 6.8L hwy.
BASE PRICE: $38,620

FIRST PLACE Audi A3 2.0 T
ENGINE 2.0L inline-four-cylinder turbo
POWER 200 hp @ 5,100 rpm; 207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm
FUEL ECONOMY L/100 km 10.2L city, 7.1L hwy.
BASE PRICE: $32,950

© National Post 2005. This article originally appeared in The National Post's Driving.