Audi PB18 E-Tron Concept

Following its world debut at the Monterey Car Week, the new Audi PB18 E-Tron concept traveled to Paris for its European premiere. The battery-electric supercar study is reportedly previewing the replacement of the Audi R8, featuring three electric motors with a combined output of 671 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. The front axle is powered by a single 201 hp electric motor while the rear axle gets the other two, complete with 604 hp. Audi claims that the PB18 E-Tron鈥檚 electric powertrain is able to deliver peak power of 764 hp for short bursts, making it capable of a 0-100 km/h in less than two seconds. The design is unsurprisingly rather sharp, featuring a long roof line that resembles that of a shooting brake concept, widely extended wheel arches and a pretty large interpretation of Audi鈥檚 Singleframe front grille. The interior adopts a variable layout, meaning it can be converted from a regular two-seater to a single-seater with the driver sitting in the middle. This was made possible thanks to the adoption of fully electronic steering, throttle and braking operations. The long roof line also gives the PB18 E-Tron a rather large boot capacity, with 470 liters on offer.

It does fall behind for overall space and it鈥檚 darker in the back as well, due to the small, tapered rear windows. You do get a cup-holder in the doors, which is useful, but otherwise storage is only average. Even though it costs more than its competitors on test, the Corolla offers the most safety kit. Toyota鈥檚 five-year, 100,000-mile warranty is great, too, but the brand鈥檚 12th place out of 26 marques in the manufacturers鈥?chart of our Driver Power 2018 owner satisfaction survey was only average. The hybrid Corolla returned a fuel economy figure of 44.3mpg on our test, which was ahead of the Golf鈥檚 41.9mpg and the Peugeot鈥檚 38.5mpg returns. Low CO2 emissions of 83g/km put the Toyota in the 19 per cent Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket for company car users, so lower-rate earners will only pay 拢1,033 a year to run one. That鈥檚 less than the 拢1,174 and 拢1,243 it will cost for the Volkswagen and 308 respectively.

The Volkswagen Golf is our favourite family hatch and therefore the model to beat here. The 128bhp 1.5-litre petrol TSI version in GT trim is the highest spec available with this comparable engine to the Toyota for power, although it鈥檚 not a hybrid. This Golf uses petrol power alone. The 1.5-litre TSI turbo delivers 128bhp and 200Nm of torque to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch auto box. Some GT models also have lowered suspension over the standard car, but our 128bhp version features the normal set-up. The Golf鈥檚 interior is simple and functional, but it鈥檚 also well built and uses soft-touch materials that make it the most upmarket model of the trio. Adding to the classy image is the excellent infotainment system. The eight-inch set-up is the most modern-looking here and it鈥檚 standard on the GT (although the car in our pictures is an SE Nav). It includes smartphone connectivity which, sadly, is not yet offered on the Corolla. You can also add a 12.3-inch TFT Active Info Display digital dashboard for 拢495.

This is larger than the Toyota鈥檚 seven-inch set-up and replaces the traditional analogue dials behind the wheel. In addition, GT spec includes upgraded upholstery, ambient lighting, selectable driving modes and adaptive cruise control. However, some features that are standard on the Corolla, such as a reversing camera and LED headlights, are optional (at 拢340 and 拢995 respectively). Even so, add these extras and the Volkswagen still works out cheaper. The Golf gets each aspect of the driving experience just right, which is why it鈥檚 one of our favourite cars. For a start, it鈥檚 quiet and calm inside even at high speed, and the suspension soaks up lumps and bumps in the road surface adequately enough. Only occasionally does it bounce abruptly. At least body control is great, which makes it enjoyable on a twisty country road as well, since it remains tied down even over rough tarmac. Steering is direct, while there鈥檚 also plenty of grip.