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Weekend roadtest : Audi A1 enters the thick of it
publication date: Oct 23, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
Audi has created the "condensed car" in the shape and size of the new
A1.
But it's not thick and stodgy and it does not have to be watered down to
be enjoyed.
It is, to all intents and purposes, a proper Audi but wrapped up in a
tighter package to deliver the brand into a segment of the market where it has
not before competed. |  |
Rivals BMW, MB and Mini have been well established in the compact
premium sector and more recently we have seen the arrival of the Citroen D3
series, so it was natural that Audi would want to do the same and offer a model
to buyers who appreciated all that Audi stand for but consider the familiar models
too big for their particular needs.
The result is a three-door car measuring just under 4m long, about 1.8m
wide and a little over 1.4m tall and weighing in from just over 1,100kg. There
are ten models in the range which goes on sale immediately with first
deliveries expected early November.
Prices run from £13,420 to £18,665 and the models are divided into SE,
Sport and S Line versions offered with 86ps 1.2 and 122ps 1.4 TFSI petrol
engines attached to 5 or 6 speed manual boxes or a 7 speed S tronic on the more
powerful, or you can choose a 5sp manual 105ps 1.6 TDI. The powertrains are familiar VW Group units
used in other brands but modified to Audi requirements.
Audi claim the new powertrains provide the lowest emissions, highest
economy and strongest residual values in their classes, and they offer a 5yrs/
50,000 miles service maintenance plan for £250, which includes three oil
changes and two inspections.
In Britain,
it is anticipated Audi will sell 2,000 A1 models over the next two months and
18,000 in each of 2011 and 2012, low enough to make CAP predict they will hold
up to 56pc of original value when part exchanged. They believe UK
buyers will order 40pc diesels and a third the 1.4 petrol.
Launching the Audi A1 range this week, UK boss Jeremy Hicks said it has
been a difficult year for the industry but there had been a positive shift
towards premium brands and turning to the arrival of the A1 he said, "It will
grow our overall sales and introduce top end customers in this sector to the
brand.
"Initial orders have seen typical models being priced with extras at
£23,000 to £24,000 and we expect it will become our third best seller behind
the A3 and A4 models."
|  | Key to the bespoke buying philosophy of the A1 is the technology either
standard or available to owners.All
models have air conditioning and MP3 compatible sound systems, latest traction
control and safety fittings while Sport models gain 16in standard alloys,
revised suspension and seats, Bluetooth and driving lights, with the top S line
versions coming with 17in alloys, still firmer suspension , cloth and leather
upholstery, interior LEDs and body kit. At the end of next year there will also
be a Competition line customisation programme harking back to the magnificent
quattro rally cars of the 1980s |
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| Options include keyless entry and start and Bose surround sound with 14
speakers and tuned for the A1 cabin, MMI 3G info-tainment interface as used in
the Audi A8, Xenon and self dipping lights.
| First impressions
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In brief sessions with a 105 1.6 5sp diesel and 122 1.4 7sp S tronic I
appreciated what Audi meant by distilling the essence of the brand into a new
model.
They felt and drove in a very similar manner to the A3 and A4
stablemates, but obviously lacked the absolute power of the bigger models.
The respective powertrains were very smooth and quiet, with a neat
manual gearbox and flick of the wrist precision automatic.
|  | Steering and brakes
gave good feedback and the cars turned and stopped precisely and quickly.
Ride quality was good even with the firmer springing in the diesel Sport
tested, but it produced much more road rumble and bump thump as a result and
the SE on smaller wheels and tyres was quieter and softer with the livelier
engine as well.
In fact, in the Sport with the diesel engine, the lack of refinement was
noticeable and not as evident as in the SE petrol.
Room in front is good, access to the back is restricted and once inside
the leg and headroom is suitable only for children. The boot is good, opens
from bumper height to give a minimum 270 litres, rising to 920 litres with the
offset seats gradually folded flat.
The sweeping roofline and small rear and back window restrict vision at
junctions and create big blindspots but it's clear to the sides and forward.
Over a 40 miles route I averaged 57mpg with the diesel manual and 42mpg
with the 1.4 petrol automatic.
The Audi A1 is a landmark for the brand and it will make an impression
on competitors and buyers but its packaging is not ground-breaking and options
are pricey, offset by the promise of a useful Service plan and potentially good
resale prices after three years.
© Robin Roberts |
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