Audi’s smallest car, A1, has
been a big success for the company, earning more than 830,000 sales since its
launch back in 2011. Now there’s an all-new A1, promising new technology and
improved practicality, and it will goes on sale in next month.
The new A1, now available only
as a five-door Sportback, is based on the same platform as the VW Polo and SEAT
Ibiza. It’s longer, wider and lower than its predecessor and will be produced
by SEAT at the Spanish brand’s factory in Martorell. This new-generation A1
comes in larger body at 4,030mm long, 1,740mm wide and 1,410mm tall, 50mm lower
than another car, Polo.
Audi has looked at one of its
most iconic models for design inspiration for the new supermini; the car’s
singleframe grille and three air inlets below the bonnet are said to be derived
from the Sport quattro from the eighties. For the first time, they added new
full-LED, while alloy wheels up to 18 inches in diameter are also available.
Alot has changed inside the
cockpit, the button-heavy dash and pop-up screen from the outgoing A1 have been
ditched in favor of a slick MMI touchscreen infotainment system, adapted from
the A8. Only the top class A1s get the largest 10.1- inch display, while entry
and mid-spec cars use an 8.8-inch screen. An option pack adds Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto compatibility, although this is expected to be standard higher up
in the range.
Every model comes with a fully
digital instrument cluster in place of analogue dials behind the steering
wheel. Optional kit includes wireless phone charging, a Bang&Olufsen stereo
and Audi’s MMI navigation plus system, which bundles social media access, live
traffic updates and Google Earth into the infotainment set-up.
Audi says that A1 has been
greatly improved. Boot space has increased from 275 liters to 335 liters, and
folding the rear seats frees up a space about of 1,090 liters. Because the A1
has grown in length and width, Audi says there’s now more space for those
inside, too.
While the Polo and Ibiza still
use a diesel, the new A1 will not have it in its line-up. A range of three TFSI
petrol engines is available from launch. A 1.0-litre threecylinder turbo comes
in two states of tune, 95bhp (25 TFSI) and 116bhp (30 TFSI). The 35 TFSI is
powered by a 148bhp 1.5-liter turbo, while the flagship 40 TFSI model makes use
of a 197bhp 2.0- liter turbo.
All versions are front-wheel
drive and are offered with the option of six-speed manual or seven-speed
dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. The flagship 40 TFSI, however, uses a
six-speed S tronic auto. Alongside a standard suspension set-up, the brand
offers a stiffer sport suspension package, while adaptive dampers are an
option. A raft of safety kit such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise
control and a reversing camera makes its debut on the A1. Audi’s pre-sense
system is also available and uses radar technology to detect vehicles,
pedestrians or cyclists in poor conditions such as snow or rain, and alerts the
driver with visual and acoustic warnings.