Audi A1 1.4 Tfsi 150 S Line Nav 3Dr S Tronic Petrol Hatchback

Ten Second Review

The Audi A1 contines as the premium choice in the supermini segment, with a classy cabin and strong levels of efficiency boosted by the adoption of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo unit. It's still the go-to choice if you want small but don't like cheap.

Background

Audi's A1 was one of those rare cars that just felt instantly right when it launched in 2010. There weren't too many surprises with it, buyers knowing that here was a car that ran on much the same chassis as a Volkswagen Polo but features that reassuringly burnished Audi build integrity. Realising that just because buyers wanted small cars didn't mean they couldn't afford larger ones, the A1 wasn't cheap but the counterpoint to this was that it never felt like Audi were selling out and chasing a market they didn't have any right to be in. But that was 2010 and time moves very quickly in this corner of the market. In that period, BMW's MINI has completely reinvented its range and come at the A1 with some serious products. Audi's response has been measured, with the introduction of a revised version of this first generation model in 2015 and plenty of fine tuning across the board since with some typically intriguing engineering.

Driving Experience

It's not like Audi to be a follower but they've jumped on the one-litre three-cylinder petrol engine bandwagon, their triple developing a punchy 95PS. This slots in below a turbocharged 1.4-litre TFSI unit with 125PS. Diesel customers are served by a 1.6-litre TDI with 116PS. Depending on version, all engines are linked to either a five-speed or six-speed manual transmission as standard, and all, including the 1.6 TDI, are also available with the option of a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission. At the top of the range sits the S1 quattro hot hatch model with a 231PS 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit. Audi has upgraded the steering in more recent A1 models, the electromechanical system delivering a more faithful level of speed-sensitive assistance. Both the steering and the optional suspension with adjustable damping are controllable via the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, which is these days a standard feature for A1 Sport models upwards. It allows the driver to vary the weighting or the damping characteristics across three modes - auto, dynamic and efficiency - and it can also adjust the operating parameters of the engine and the S tronic transmission, where this is fitted. There's also an adaptive suspension option including adjustable dampers available for Sport models and above. At the top of the range, the ballistic S1 will dust off the sprint to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds.

Design and Build

The A1's styling looks classy wth a wide singleframe grille, sleek bumpers, stylish alloy wheel designs and a sophisticated colour palette. Plus there's that arcing roofline that looks so good in contrast colours. The cabin adheres to typical contemporary Audi design language. If you've driven an A3 or an A4, you'll feel very much at home here, as indeed Audi has intended in order to attract customers looking to downsize. Unlike some rivals, the interior is quiet and maturely finished with no speedometers the size of dinner plates or garish graphics. Audi contend that if you're downsizing from a bigger car, you expect big car sophistication and the A1 serves that up in spades. Everything is soft touch, silicon damped and consistent in feel and design. There's plenty of chrome and high gloss black detailing, up-market upholstery choices including an Alcantara and leather blend and plenty of different upholstery colours, such as Laser blue for Sport models and Rotor grey for S line models. The A1 body can only afford so much interior space in a package 3954mm long, but the 267-litre boot extends to a respectable 920-litres if you drop the back seats. It's a little bigger than most city cars but is aced for space by a lot of superminis.

Market and Model

As before, there's a choice of a three door bodystyle or, for around £600 more, a five-door Sportback variant. Prices haven't marched north by anything too significant, which means that you can pick up a 1.0-litre car from around the £15,500 mark, with the 1.6-litre diesel tacking another grand onto that. Trim levels run through SE, Sport and S line, and even the entry-level car gets alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display. A secondary collision brake assist system is available, which can initiate automatic braking to reduce the risks of skidding and additional collisions during an accident. The Sport models include 'Audi drive select', as well as the Audi Music Interface and preparation for SD card-based navigation. These variants also get larger 16-inch wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation and a Driver's Information System. Go for the S line and you'll enjoy xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights, plus 17-inch alloy wheels, exclusive S line exterior styling and interior detailing, S line sports suspension and leather and cloth combination upholstery. There are also Tech and Comfort packs available if you're not already spent out.

Cost of Ownership

There's been a concerted drive to efficiency in this latest A1, and nowhere is that more clearly demonstrated than in the replacement of the 1.2 TFSI with the 1.0 TFSI engine. The newer three-pot engine is capable of returning at least 60mpg with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, which easily betters the old powerplant's 118g/km and 55mpg showing. The 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engines don't do too badly either, with the standard 125PS unit emitting 115g/km and that clever Cylinder-on-Demand technology shaving that number down to 112g/km, despite packing 150PS. The 1.6 TDI retains its place as the efficiency trailblazer in the range, with CO2 output in this latest version reduced from 99g/km to 92g/km and economy potential increased from 74.3mpg to up to 80.7mpg. The evolutionary styling of this mildly facelifted model isn't going to send residuals of older A1s swirling down the gurgler, which will come as some relief if you're an existing owner, and should help protect the value of your trade in if you fancied chopping it in against a new version.

If you’re looking for a new Audi A1 1.4 Tfsi 150 S Line Nav 3Dr S Tronic Petrol Hatchback for sale, you’ve come to the right place. At South Hereford Garages we don’t just have the best Audi A1 1.4 Tfsi 150 S Line Nav 3Dr S Tronic Petrol Hatchback deals, we also offer friendly advice and help with all your enquiries to ensure your buying experience is a happy experience.

What are you waiting for? Make an enquiry online using the link above or call one of our friendly sales advisors today.