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Audi A1 vs Citroen DS3

Diesel version of Audi’s massive-selling new A1 meets the class-leading Citroen DS3

Audi A1 vs Citroen DS3

Photos: Pete Gibson April 2011

Makers of premium cars no longer have to think big. The Audi A1 is hot news at the moment, and after the firm’s entry-level model racked up nearly 1,500 sales in January alone, 2011 has got off to a swinging start.

Competition in this growing sector is tough, though, and the A1 has already tasted road test defeat in petrol guise at the hands of the Citroen DS3 (Issue 1,140). In a closely fought battle, the French model came out on top – but can it repeat the trick with a diesel engine under its bonnet?

The A1 is powered by the ubiquitous VW Group 1.6 TDI and fitted with stop-start. It emits only 99g/km of CO2 yet produces 250Nm of torque. Citroen also knows a thing or two about diesels, and the 1.6 HDi is equally established – with 110bhp and 270Nm of torque, it’s more powerful than the 104bhp Audi unit and benefits from six speeds. However, without stop-start technology, it isn’t as efficient as its German rival.

So will the A1’s image, quality and design take top honours here, or will the Citroen DS3 prove once again that it has what it takes to rule the premium small car sector?

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5 Comments

A1?

There's a black A1 parked outside my apartment, it's not moved for well over a week, covered in tree sap, it looks so terminally dull maybe the owner has forgotten about it, or slipped into a coma.

By JFalck on 12 May, 2011, 8:22am

Are you sure...

... it's not an A3? Or an A4? Or an A6?

It's just when you said "terminally dull" I imagined it could have been any of that old rope that Audi has found gullible buyers for in the last decade.

By FloatingVoter on 13 May, 2011, 3:07pm

It's certainly an A1!

I had to look at the badge just to check!
It's beyond me why logically anyone would buy one, all very well to blend in, keep up with the neighbours, but not so long ago you could do that with a Corsa, or a Focus, and save money.

By JFalck on 15 May, 2011, 9:30pm

suprise suprise a vw group car comes 1st in a review. i am not a citroen fan but would choose one any day over any audi. after all what do you think when u see that audi bonnet getting way too close up behind u on a motorway???

By mauk1980 on 19 May, 2011, 12:05am

'Premium' Tripe

Seen a few A1's on the road, and can quite honestly say they are anything but inspiring to look at... In fact I nearly fell asleep at the wheel simply looking at its dull corporate look.

Still will provide the ideal 'drive' for wannabe junior management aggressor's whom upgrade to even more dull and arrogant bigger Audi's further up the range...(once up their bum-kissing promotional ladders!)

The silly ludicrous looking LED lighting (on all of Audi's) just highlight further how dull the cars of arrogance are further in design terms...(and makes them look poncy to boot, when running)

As for the Citroen, over-priced by thousands of pounds, likely to be no more reliable than Citroens of yesteryear and yet another car equipped with idiot looking poncy fairy lights!

This time however you will look like A french fairy, rather than a arrogant German fairy-light ponce owner...

As for any Audi A1's selling over list...?? No accounting for British sheep car buyers, marketing triumphs over the gullible!

By LegioIXHispana on 28 May, 2011, 2:49pm

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Full Car Reviews

Audi A1 TDI Sport rear

1st Audi A1 TDI Sport

Petrol version of trendy newcomer lost out in its first road test. Can diesel make a bigger impression?
Citroen DS3 DSport rear

2nd Citroen DS3 DSport

Striking hatch is our current class leader, and will take some beating here
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Facts and Figures

Verdict

What do you value in a premium supermini? That’s the question you need to ask yourself if you’re choosing between these two cars. If you want dynamic thrills, the Citroen is the obvious choice. The lively responses, entertaining handling and more smooth and punchy diesel engine make it more engaging to drive. Its fun character extends to the options list, which is full of cheeky additions, while its interior performs the nifty trick of combining fashionable looks with superior space. Prefer a more mature approach? The refined A1 is the perfect companion. It offers a class-leading interior and big-car feel, and is efficient, good to drive and promises low running costs. On the right road, owners will sometimes wish they had plumped for the Citroen instead, but that’s not enough to overcome the Audi’s solid financial advantage. It takes a narrow victory.
 
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