9 August 2012
“A” plus
High fuel prices are quickly emptying the wallets of drivers using big cars fitted with large engines. Owners of these vehicles have moved towards downsizing their ride to a more fuel efficient option, in a bid to remove the financial strain the gas-guzzlers are creating.
Audi use a 1.4L TFSI engine in the compact A1 hatchback. Small powerplants push the limits in engine efficiency, with engineers fitting turbochargers and on some models, superchargers working together to force cold air into the intake manifold at a super-fast rate. The result is a brilliant piece of engineering that sips fuel and performs like a car with a larger engine.
The A1 is no stranger to New Zealand. It made an entrance in the marketplace back in 2010 with the stylish looking three door hatchback. It’s based on the parent company Volkswagen’s Polo platform. The new A1 Sportback model opens a few more doors for Audi. It’s a practical choice for small-family buyers in search of a premium compact five door hatch.
Sporty looking little hatchback
The A1 Sportback is fitted with a quick shifting seven speed DSG transmission to transfer the power to the wheels.
The distinctive big front grille, also seen on the brand’s larger cars, gives the little car aggressive looks and provides ample air flow for the demanding intake blowers sitting under the bonnet. The front and rear profile of the Sportback looks identical to the three door version and even at a quick glance it’s unmistakably an Audi. The roofline has been stretched a little to the rear and the B-pillars moved closer to the A-pillar to accommodate the extra doors.
Seating is comfortable and all the controls are located within easy reach for the driver. Good quality trim has been used throughout the cabin and the multi-function steering wheel is wrapped in leather. Paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel allow the driver to manually control the gear selection. The radio display, located high up on the dashboard, can be stored out of sight by folding it down into its rest position. The interior feels uncluttered and refined.
Boot space is a meagre 270L, but folding the rear seats will free up an extra 650L of load space.
Urban dominance
The A1 is fun to drive and the engine reacts quickly to requests from the throttle pedal. It zips around town and with its small stature it makes squeezing into parking spaces a breeze. The car’s sporty character reveals itself through the bends on the country roads, with precise, sure-footed cornering.
The S Tronic and Sport S Tronic models fitted with a turbocharger claim to use only 5.3L/100km of fuel while emitting 122g/km of CO2 emissions. The Sport Plus S Tronic fitted with a turbo and a supercharger claim to use 5.9L/100km of petrol while chucking out 139g/km CO2.
Active safety features include Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR) with Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) and Hill-Hold Assist. Passive safety features include front driver and passenger airbags, side airbags for the front seats and ISOFIX seat anchorages at the rear.
Standard features include an Audi Concert Audio System; CD player, two SD Card readers with up to 32GB storage space, Bluetooth and Audi music interface.
Three specification options are available and start with the 90kW/200Nm S Tronic model retailing for $39,800 and the Sport S Tronic for $42,800. The Sport Plus S Tronic with 136kW/250Nm has a sticker price of $47,500.
The A1 has a long list of more than fifty options to personalize the car to your taste. Colour coded roof arches are one of the choices that make it stand out from the rest.
A few other available upgrades include bigger wheel rims, BOSE sound system and panoramic glass sunroof, but beware, it quickly becomes an expensive exercise when you start ticking a few option boxes.