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Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype

Audi has given its smallest car 2.0-litre turbo power and four-wheel-drive. And we’ve driven it.

Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype

By Danny Cobbs

March 2011

At last year’s Paris Motor Show, Audi confirmed there would be a Quattro version of the A1. Then, at the beginning of this year it unveiled a prototype with a 1.4-litre turbo engine, which we drove in the snow in Canada.

But the German firm is set to spice up the A1 line-up even further by dropping a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit into the engine bay of its smallest Quattro-equipped car.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi A1

 

From the outset, the A1 2.0-litre Quattro doesn’t appear much different from its smaller, less powerful siblings. It has all the usual cabin refinements and build quality we’ve come to expect from Audi, and the same, restrained exterior styling.

The difference comes when you take the wheel for the first time. Our car is a prototype, but the retains the A1’s impressive refinement at medium speeds. But just like a junior Golf GTI, once you accelerate hard, the A1 has a serious turn of speed and a vocal exhaust note to match, and all with the reassurance of four-wheel drive grip.

The 2.0-litre petrol is the same 208bhp turbocharged unit that’s used across Audi’s range. In our car, this was coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. No figures have been released, but Audi has said unofficially that a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds is possible, a full second faster than a Golf GTI, and top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph. 

What’s more, the 2.0-litre TFSI A1 is tipped to be the first Quattro version of the supermini to arrive in showrooms in early 2012. 

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6 Comments

Poor attempt

IMO the A1 is a poor attempt to come up with a Mini contender and can be called Audi's first true mistake. Grumpy looking up front, grumpy looking at the rear. I'll take the Polo GTI, thank you.

By voyager on 29 March, 2011, 8:12am

Ugly

What an ugly 'grumpy' little car.

I thought that all the ugly designs were passed down to Skoda!!

By Bloodyannoying on 29 March, 2011, 9:32am

Niot ugly

Who cares if it's ugly? I think they look quite mean when you have one come up behind you. As for Polo GTI, this thing will swallow them in it's gaping grill, and spit them out the other end. This thing will be like a go kart, can't wait :-)

By putashovelinit on 29 March, 2011, 12:44pm

Not ugly

I disagree that the car is ugly. This is why the expression exists; "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". In other words one person's beauty is another person's ugly and if you don't like it there are plenty of alternatives out there. Better to consider the facts that the car is superbly well made, is refined and comfortable, good to drive and offers low running costs. I don't think that demand outstripping supply equals a "first true mistake"!

By PhilBailey on 29 March, 2011, 12:56pm

Niot ugly

Who cares if it's ugly? I think they look quite mean when you have one come up behind you. As for Polo GTI, this thing will swallow them in it's gaping grill, and spit them out the other end. This thing will be like a go kart, can't wait :-)

By putashovelinit on 29 March, 2011, 2:49pm

One Trick Pony

Ugly? LOL!!!! I don't think so. Let the sales figures confirm the eyes of the beholders.

Did any of you Mini aficionados ever think ahead, even to 10 years down the line??? The A1 is a good car (I've driven it and might buy it at some stage). Audi will move on, refining and evolving the A1 into the future, with the flexibility to mould the car in order to keep pace.

What will Mini be doing in 10 years ? To keep the strict look, Mini has nowhere to go long-term...

By FloatingVoter on 2 May, 2011, 10:17am

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Pictures

Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype
Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype
Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype
Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype
Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype
Audi A1 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro prototype

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FIRST OPINION

    Putting such a large engine into the A1 doesn’t seem like overkill. Despite its supermini dimensions, the Quattro system ensures that the A1 has the grip to match the power. What’s more, Audi has retained perhaps the A1’s biggest asset – it’s ‘big car’ refinement. But now it has the performance to worry larger rivals too.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Engine: 2.0-litre TFSI Turbocharged
    Power: 208bhp (est)
    Torque: 360Nm (est)
    Transmission: six-speed manual
    Top speed: 155 mph 
    0-62mph: 5.9 seconds (est)
    Emissions: N/A
    Mpg: N/A
    Price: c.£23,500
     
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