Road Test: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Ambition

Audi has entered a new vehicle class with its compact A1. The latest model to bear the four rings, the Audi A1 promises to uphold the virtues of the brand – dynamics, premium quality and elegant design – in a way that appeals to the young, trendy and aspirational. “The arrival of the new Audi A1 breaks new ground for the brand in South Africa,” says Ryan Searle, General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Audi SA. “It is an unmistakably premium product exuding the innovation, invigorating dynamics and attention to detail synonymous with the brand.”

The Audi A1’s Volkswagen Polo underpinnings are well known and the car has been labelled by some as nothing more than a glitzy version of its German understudy. At the most basic levels and on paper, I might agree, but the diminutive Audi’s tangible character firmly dispels any such notions.

The A1’s exterior design is unique, with a front end dominated by the large single-frame grille with cut-off corners (familiar to the larger A8) together with expressive LED daytime running lights. The character, or ‘Tornado Line’ as Audi calls it, begins above the grille and extends right the way around the car, helping to identify the wrap-around tailgate. The profile’s defining visuals include the roof arch that can be specified in a number of contrasting colours, as well as the large wheel arches and tapering C-pillar. Short overhangs, the prominent bonnet and the smooth slope of the rear hatch, frame the body’s compact shape, while the 3D-look LED tail light clusters provide a distinct identity at night.

Inside, the Audi A1 echoes the premium feel familiar to the rest of the Audi range, with enough subtle changes to be considered refreshing. Optional leather trim fitted to our test car’s seats, together with the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake, heightened the luxury feel. The dashboard is of soft-touch material and incorporates jet engine-inspired air vents with chrome highlights. In the centre of the dash sits a fold-out colour-LCD monitor that forms part of the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system and shows various vehicle settings. The centre stack houses aluminium dials to operate the climate control functions, as well as those of the MMI controller, radio, SD-card and CD-player. The satellite controls on the steering wheel work well and the MMI system in the A1 is the easiest to use of any Audi to-date. The on-board computer display, located between the speedometer and rev-counter, displays typical information such as trip computer, average fuel consumption, outside temperature, etc, but also has en efficiency program that displays the best gear for current driving conditions, as well as an ‘easy view’ that actually hides the information display if you wish.

Interior space is generous up front and more than expected in the rear. However, in order to provide a fair amount of rear legroom, the rear seats are positioned a bit too upright, which, while good for the posture, isn’t the most natural position and leaves little to no headroom for taller passengers. The luggage area will accommodate 270-litres, or a more spacious 920-litres with the rear seats folded flat and there is ample storage around the cabin for smaller personal items. Considering the A1’s two-door bodystyle, access to the rear seats isn’t too challenging, thanks to a conventional quick-release system that springs the front seats forwards.

While the A1 doesn’t break any ground in terms of Audi’s ‘Vorsprung dur Technik’ motto, it does feature one of Volkswagen AG’s best bits of technology, the 1.4-litre TFSI engine. Awarded the International Engine of The Year award in 2009 and 2010, the EA111 engine is a proven unit having done service in countless VW Group models. In short, the TFSI offers refinement, performance and economy, but its application in the A1 is rather brilliant. Weighing in at 1.1 tonnes, progress in the lightweight A1 is swift, courtesy of the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine’s 90 kW and 200 N.m of torque. The drivetrain is manipulated via a 6-speed gearbox that is satisfying to work with regardless of your mood. With plenty of torque available, city driving is anything but a fuss and, when needed, peak power is enough to see the A1 moving at a top speed of 203 km/h. In addition, the engine revs freely and produces a rorty exhaust note in the process, a combination that’ll send you and the A1 singing up hills. Together with stop/start technology and an energy recuperation system – which recovers energy during braking – the 1.4 TFSI is capable of a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.3 L/100km – I managed an impressive 4.9 L/100km on the open road.

In terms of ride and handling, it is immediately apparent that Audi have used their suspension and chassis know-how to equip the A1 with superior abilities to that of the Polo upon which it’s based. A comfortable balance has been achieved with the suspension, giving the A1 sweet road manners whether nipping through a set of twisties or skipping over a set of urban speed bumps. Having said that, the steering action can be a little light at times and some kickback was evident on bumpier surfaces. Further stability is provided by ESP, together with an electronic limited slip differential and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).

It’s premium, stylish and compact, but for all it’s endearing traits, the A1 arguably loses a few brownie points when it comes to the rands and cents – or should that be sense? Starting from R253 000, the base spec 1.4 TFSI Ambition looks a little nondescript. So, for example, those cool daytime LED running lights will be R7 000; the supple leather seats, R14 000; that roof arch in a contrasting paint colour, R4 500; a set of 17-inch wheels for a little more street cred, R12 900. Without much effort you could be nudging the R300 000 mark. In fact, Audi’s options list for the A1 has over R280 000 worth of check boxes. Don’t be deterred though, because any which way you spec your A1, you’ll be driving one of Audi’s finest.

What we like…

• Great performance, economy and all-round flexibility from the 1.4 TFSI.
• A refreshed and modern take on the Audi interior, which was beginning to border on cliched in recent models, despite its excellence.
• A city car with eye-catching styling.

What we would like…

• Slightly stiffer steering action at higher speeds.
• Bluetooth an USB connectivity as standard – trendy urbanites need this like they need their iBerrys and BlackPhones.

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