As small as a MINI, as well built as an A4 - meet the new small Audi that's got a huge job to do convincing premium car drivers that good things really can come in the smallest packages.
And there's no doubt that when it comes to quality and kerbside appeal the A1 has got off to the best possible start.
Order books for the eagerly anticipated supermini opened last month - and announced that the car would cost from £13,145 – around £400 more than the similarly-powered MINI One.
Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi A1
Three engines are on offer, two petrol and one diesel, including 86bhp 1.2 and 122bhp 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engines, plus a 105bhp 1.6-litre TDI diesel.
A seven-speed twin-clutch S-tronic transmission is available solely on the 1.4 at an additional cost of £1,420 and doubles as a rich man’s automatic.
Three trim levels will be available from the outset with the basic SE trim costing £13,145 in 1.2 petrol form and £14,180 in 1.6 diesel form.
Start/stop and regenerative braking technology will be standard on all models in the range. We are testing the 1.4-litre TSI engined car, a flagship model which is tipped to be a big seller.
In terms of design, the car doesn’t aim up at the sheer cheek of the MINI, but works hard to convince you that it’s a fully fledged member of the Audi family, rather than a stand-alone baby car.
There is the typically Audi grille, a steeply sloping c-pillar and a hatch that looks like a 60 percent copy of the one on the Q5.
It gets daytime running lights similar to the ones in the new A8, too, and they even have a front-facing camera that detects oncoming cars at night and automatically switches between high and low beam.
Oh, and there is also Competition Aerodynamics pack (for a car that will never see competition) and there is the ubiquitous S-Line package at the top of the range. If there has been widespread customer criticism of the quality of the plastic material on the current MINI, look no further than the A1 if you want to know how well it can be done...
There’s a long, curved instrument panel that gives the impression of being impossibly wide for a car this size, four round vents that can be coloured as you wish and a pop-up 6.5-inch MMI screen for everything from navigation to the audio system.
There is a pair of cupholders, coin holders and a general cubby hole, plus healthy door pockets and an unusually useful glovebox, too. The seats look a bit flashier than they do on any other Audi, and rear legroom is useful for children and, on short trips, adults.
They’ve given the luggage space more thought than MINI, too, because there are fold-down curry hooks on both sidewalls, an elastic holding strap on one side, a perfectly flat floor and four tie-down hooks. And it’s much bigger when you fold down the rear seats.
Where Audi has filled the A1 with the signature interior quality you’d expect, they haven’t quite given it the chirpy character of the MINI and, in terms of its performance, this car is clearly after the One, not the Cooper S.
Even with the direct-injection, turbo-charged 1.4-litre petrol engine sitting across the front axle, the A1 isn’t going to scream off into the distance in a haze of tyre smoke.
Instead, it’s going to be strong and flexible in any gear, at any time. The 1.4-litre engine has 120bhp, so it’s no weakling at high revs, but its real strength is between 1500rpm and 4000, where all of its 200Nm of torque is available for heavy lifting all of the time.
That it gets from 0 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds is really only half of the story, because the rest is about its flexibility, which is very helpful around town.
It’s a smooth engine, too, and has a cranky little rort to it on full throttle blasts, with the exhaust note getting deeper as it pulls past 4000rpm and then yelling in enthusiasm right up high. But it’s never intrusive and, when it’s mated to the optional seven-speed DSG (or whatever Audi’s calling it these days), it’s pretty slick, too.
There’s good fuel economy as well, with Audi claiming 5.2 litres/100km, or 52.3mpg, and that number is helped by the stop-start system that isn’t as smooth on takeoff as it probably should be, but that’s about it for driveline grizzles.
There is a smaller, 1.2-litre turbo petrol motor if you want to spend less up front, and a pair of 1.6-litre turbo-diesels, with economy under 70mpg, if you want to spend less over the car’s lifetime.
Ride quality is a big issue around the cities and the A1 is surprisingly supple – at least in its standard form. Its handling is clean and neat, rather than the edgy sharpness of the MINI family, but its ride quality easily surpasses the British car.
But the big question remains... Should you buy one over a MINI? Don't miss our forthcoming test, which will offer the question once and for all.
For now though, while we love the A1's grown up feel, it's comparative lack focus on sportyness is the single question mark.
While we love the looks, the practicality, the refinement and the grown up feel, a decent injection of driver appeal would transform the car.
* Engine: 1.4-litre TFSI, 120bhp
* 0-62mph: 8.9 seconds
* Top Speed: 124mph
* MPG: 52.3mpg (combined)
* Equipment: Air conditioning, alloy wheels, satellite navigation, two-tone leather seats.
* Price: £15,345
* On sale: Now
For an alternative review of the latest Audi A1 Hatchback visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
Disqus - noscript
Is that the Indian version we're talking about?
Sounds good but don't say it's the same size as a Mini when it must be at least 1ft or 30cms larger which for a city car makes all the difference.
I am a fan of audi ,but this is not for me ,It just looks like the a4 from the front and its rear has a bit frown look to it ,anyway maby it wil grow on me.
Nice little car , it is small but still too big to be call a mini.
Too many straight lines for me.
Anything with Audi on ther front will still be a winner.
Judging by the pictures and the stats. I think this car will devalue the brand just as the one series has done for BMW.
A nice little car with bags of style and a good range of engines. Modern but with its own style and a good competitor to the Mini and so so Mito. Will help Audi sell even more success and judging by the number of pre orders is already a success.
As for the comment above about the 1 Series it has helped bring more people into the brand and is a fab little car being 80% of a 3 Series for 70% of the cost has 3 in a row!!!! Enhanced not devalued at a time when downsizing is the trend.
Underpowered, Overpriced, Overhyped
Roll on the BMW 0 series
P.S.
The DSG box costs £700 extra on the Fabia, £1420 on the A1
Cynical pricing?
I think so.
I rather like it actually. With market trends still dictating that people are downsizing, Audi had to pull something off in a category that is already very cramped with small compact cars. I personally think they've done it with the A1. Ok, it still has a long way to go to catch up with MINI but then again I'm not necessarily of the opinion that this is what they've actually set out to do. I think they could have made the DSG box available on more than just the 1.4 TSI though. With stop/start technology I think it would work particularly well with the 1.6 TDI if this unit in standard form is capable of around 70 mpg. Interesting comment by Smike though that you can have DSG in a Fabia at half the price, I don't understand what the difference is here, they're the same units mechanically so why double the price for an Audi, EXCEPT of course Audi is the more premium brand.
As fir the A1 though, yeah, I'd have one.
Re the 1 series. It's a matter of opinion i suppose. Personally i think it is one of the most ugly uninspiring cars on our roads. However, as you have had three of them you must have discovered some deeply hidden inner beauty.
Still BMW must love you. After all you have single handedly doubled their 1 series sales figures! I take back my earlier comments on the A1. It is a revelation in comparison.
I never said I like the looks they are not bad looking but from a driving point of you they are spot on. Best handling hatchback overall. With a good driver focused interior and have the RWD USP only RFT let the side down.
Lol I suggest you check to see how many have been sold has been a success for BMW MKII o it's way soon. Maybe just go and get educated at www.babybmw.net :o) So you don't like the 1er fair play but a car is more than just looks..........
It is you who require educating my friend. I don't what lies the BMW told you but the best handling family hatchback is the Focus in that respect it is peerless. Also the 1 Series has terrible rear legroom, a small boot and the untrusive transmission tunnel for the rear wheel drive running through the middle of the car. It is not a raved about car by anyone in the know. I have to say after driving it, it was better than I thought ,but with all of those cruicial areas being found wanting I couldn't. t is like marrying a short, fat girl because she had an ok personallity!
As for this A1 junk is that the sameone that rolled over trying to show how agile it is? Yes that will be the one then. Makes you wonder do AE get some rear pocket expenses for heavilly plugging this car? I mean they are telling us to like it and even give us the chance to meet every specification of this car in the new comic (sorry mean't magazine)
It is you who require educating my friend; I don't know what lies the BMW salesman told you? The best handling family hatchback is the Focus and in that respect it is peerless. Also the 1 Series has terrible rear legroom, a small boot and the intrusive transmission tunnel for the rear wheel drive running through the middle of the car. It is not a raved about car by anyone in the know. I have to say after driving it, it was better than I thought ,but with all of those cruicial areas being found wanting - I just couldn't. It is like marrying a short, fat girl because she had an ok personallity!
As for this A1 junk is that the sameone that rolled over trying to show how agile it is? Yes that will be the one then. Makes you wonder; do AE get some rear pocket expenses for heavilly plugging this car? I mean they are telling us to like it and even give us the chance to meet every specification of this car in the new comic (sorry mean't magazine) listen to the comments AE we are underwhelmed
lol a Focus fan boy!!! Well I will diagree I drive a 59 Plate Focus Estate at work regualy so now exactly how good and also how dull it is. The 1er on the limit has the edge believe me that is not saying the focus is bad steering is precise but does loose traction and canu ndersteer before the 1er in the dry. 1er makes you feel special were the Focus does not.
Yes the 1er has compromised interior space but is not that bad and you have obvioulsy not spoken to many perople who have actually lived with the car. Believe me it has a very strong fan base. Oh and how many Ford ST drivers have moved to a 123d Coupe well I know of two who raved about the Focus ST but as an overall package the 1er is the winner. So before shooting someone down maybe think they may be in the know too. Oh and due to the limited Space I swapped my current 1er for a FL Seat Leon FR TDi for extra space so don't have rose tinted glasses either unlike a Ford fanboy yes the Focus has better steering than the Leon but FR TDi CR engine is a peach much better than Focus TCDi lumps!!!
Do I recall at the time this was first announced in the press that there may be a soft top version coming along, any info as to wether this is still Audi's intention ?
Must say I think it looks highly appealing, and am looking forward to seeing it in the metal. For two people, who rarely have passengers, it looks much funkier than the slightly bland A3.
Looks more grown-up than a mini, and not a 'retro' attempt either. And if you want value, the Fabia vRS is a great alternative.
I strongly disagree with your comments. I have owned a Ford Focus for 6 months and now I wish I didn't sign on the dotted line. It is dull. The build quality is a joke. I have not yet experienced one journey where something hasn't rattled in the Focus. The plastics are cheap. The Ford Focus is one of the most atrocious cars I have ever driven. Yes, it is a 59 plate. This has put me off Ford's completely.
As for the BMW 1 Series, I agree that it has allowed more people to access the BMW brand. Admittedly, on early 1er models, there were issues. Most have now been fixed.
As for the Audi A1. At the front it looks good but it looks like at the back that the designer sneezed or something when he was drawing it. It is very ugly at the back. Also, I don't see this car catching on as much as the BMW Mini did.
Audi`s are for the 90`s man... B-awful image? No thanks!
And how much is Audi paying AutoExpress for the 5stars?
Its a So-So looking car, over-priced and over-hyped and worse still, its an Audi! The brand that recruited all of the worst BMW 3series drivers of the 80`s and 90`s to its showrooms... i.e bad reputations for being the biggest road c**ks!!
Well built undoubtedly, but not as reliable as many other makes...Pointless brand? Audi should have been the exclusive 4wd branch/ arm of VW and no more. Now just an over-bloated range of over-rated bling...
As an Audi owner I can confirm that they are all bling and rubbery plastics, with little engineering excellence underneath. The dealers are awful too and Audi UK dont want to know if you have a problem.
One of the dullest new cars to be launched in a long time. Still there are plenty of folk out there who like dull. especially if it has an audi badge on it. How much are auto express getting for awarding it five stars?!