We test the updated 2015 Audi A1 in South Africa and have the prices, warranty and car specs.
What is it?
A raft of small updates across the range but the Audi A1 still remains the most affordable entry point into the brand. The mid-life enhancements follow standard upgrade procedure; a tweak to the cosmetics, a freshen-up on the engines and, with the fortune of hindsight, a more focused line-up. Graphics depicting old and new were shown to sceptical journalists who squinted and rocked forwards on chairs to spot the styling nuances. Let’s clear one thing up, the Audi A1 was already our favourite small car within the premium brands so small changes are not frowned upon. Ensuring strong resale value is a positive outcome.
What’s it like?
You can run your finger a long way down Audi’s list of models and fail to find something that delivers the same excitement that comes from being able to challenge a car to its absolute best. Grippy and rewarding, whether jiggling the wheel for a fast long arc or an underground parking lot where one might be tempted to yank up the handbrake.
Transfer the weight, allow it to settle, and then deploy maximum power – which incidentally always seems just the right amount, rarely causing the traction control to intervene. These are attributes that are still very much intact from the outgoing Audi A1 and it does almost everything a bona-fide hot hatch can do but with a dollop more road composure. Low profile wheels can cause a slightly more fidgety ride.
The petrol’s consumption and C02 figures support Audi’s decision to exclude diesel engines and each of the three derivatives has seen an incremental increase in power. The 1.4T FSI climbs from 90kW to 92kW and the model that fits below the S1 packs the same 141kW/250Nm 1.8T FSI as a Polo GTi. Then we come to our favourite; the 1.0T FSI 3-cylinder with 70kW and 160Nm. It replaces the lesser-powerful 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder. Both manual and S tronic versions are available across all engine sizes, except the 1.8T FSI which only comes in S tronic.
Big car features in a small package is once again the appeal; there seems absolutely no compromise on fittings or materials which will please those looking to trade an A3 for one. Drive Select is included in SE models for the first time but again the user experience is blighted by a lack of USB ports.
Should I buy one?
The Audi A1 is actually at its most attractive with the smallest engine and the fewest optional extras. Cloth seats? Great. Manual climate? Brilliant. Plain wheel design and high-profile tyres? Check. The rest of the drive is textbook Audi with no frills but solid engineering and ergonomics. The Audi A1 seems poised to continue its dominance in the segment.
Audi A1 pricing:
A1 1.0T FSI S manual: R 265,000
A1 1.0T FSI S tronic: R 282,500
A1 1.4T FSI SE manual: R 298,500
A1 1.4T FSI SE S tronic: R 316,000
A1 1.8T FSI Sport S tronic: R 382,500
S1 2.0T FSI quattro manual: R 452,500
Audi A1 Sportback:
A1 Sportback 1.0T FSI S manual: R 272,500
A1 Sportback 1.0T FSI S tronic: R 290,000
A1 Sportback 1.4T FSI SE manual: R 306,000
A1 Sportback 1.4T FSI SE S tronic: R 323,500
A1 Sportback 1.8T FSI Sport S tronic: R 390,000
S1 Sportback 2.0T FSI quattro manual: R 460,000
All prices are inclusive of VAT and the standard Audi Freeway Plan (5 year/100 000km).
