AUDI

AUDI A1 SPORTBACK 30 TFSI 110 Sport 5dr [Tech Pack]

Fuel

FuelPetrol

Transmission

TransmissionManual

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph10.5s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2128 g/km

The Audi A1 has firmly established itself as the ultimate supermini - the essence of democratic down-sizing. This second generation A1 Sportback is smarter, more efficient and better-equipped - and remains a seductive package for small car buyers. Luxury makers often cut corners to drive down the cost of their smaller models and it shows. Not Audi. In any form you choose, this A1 Sportback will always feel reassuringly expensive. Let's try it in 30 TFSI guise.

LIFE BEGINS AT 30

With the original A1, this Ingolstadt maker pioneered the idea of a premium supermini. With this second generation version, they aim to perfect it. Jonathan Crouch tries the 30 TFSI variant.

Ten Second Review

The Audi A1 has firmly established itself as the ultimate supermini - the essence of democratic down-sizing. This second generation A1 Sportback is smarter, more efficient and better-equipped - and remains a seductive package for small car buyers. Luxury makers often cut corners to drive down the cost of their smaller models and it shows. Not Audi. In any form you choose, this A1 Sportback will always feel reassuringly expensive. Let's try it in 30 TFSI guise.

Background

In developing this car, Audi wanted to better replicate some of the sportiness of a rival MINI Hatch 5-Door. And, at the same time, inject into this car a level of comfort and technology never previously seen in the supermini segment. Which is why this MK2-series A1 standardises features like a fully-digitalised instrument cluster, full-LED headlights and the kind of advanced infotainment and camera-driven safety tech you wouldn't expect to find on a supermini-sized car. The A1 only comes in this five-door Sportback form this time round and, as before, shares all its core engineering with other Volkswagen Group superminis - namely the Volkswagen Polo and the SEAT Ibiza. So, like those cars, this one features the Wolfsburg conglomerate's latest MQB-A0 platform. Being stiffer, smarter and lighter, this should allow for more engaging driving dynamics - which was a key missing attribute with this car's predecessor. It all sounds quite promising. Let's see what the smallest expression of 'Vorsprung durch tecknik' can now deliver at the wheel of the most popular 30 TFSI variant.

Driving Experience

You sense right from the outset in driving this second generation A1 that it's a car with quite a bit more of its own personality, even though - as before - all the engineering is still of Polo parentage. The steering's probably the biggest change. It could still use a bit more feel but it's much sharper than before and allows you to place the car exactly where you want it through the bends; clearly the development team were looking to go some way towards the drive dynamics of a rival MINI 5-Door Hatch. But not all the way. Audi buyers wouldn't want that MINI model's firm ride, notchy gearbox and questionable levels of refinement and none of those things are served up here. Engine-wise, the A1 range kicks off with the '25 TFSI' derivative, which has a 1.0-litre three cylinder powerplant offering 95PS, but the vast majority of likely buyers will prefer the '30 TFSI' model we're trying here, which uses a 116PS version of the same engine. With this variant, rest to 62mph occupies 9.5s en route to 126mph; or, to put it another way, not quite as fast as the MINI Cooper 5-Door Hatch, but quicker than the MINI One model - which you sense was the kind of compromise that Audi was aiming at.

Design and Build

Audi's designers were treading a fine line here. The people who didn't buy the original version of this model and chose a 5-Door MINI instead were looking for something more distinctive and fashionable. With this second generation A1, Ingolstadt wanted to better please these people - while continuing to satisfy those who liked this model precisely because of its 'Russian doll' Audi brand authenticity. This time round, there's no three-door body style because only 20% of buyers of the previous generation model wanted that; the five-door 'Sportback' format that remains is 6mm narrower and 13mm lower than before, as part of Audi's efforts to make the shape more interesting. Enter in through the long doors and you'll discover what you probably will have expected to find: the smartest cabin in the class. You don't of course get the double screens on the centre console that would feature in Audi's larger models. But the smart graphics from that swanky set-up feature and, for the first time on any small car, there's the standard fitment of a digital instrument screen to replace conventional dials. Surrounding all of this is a dashboard that exudes solid quality and has some lovely touches, providing you specify your car with a bit of care. In the back, you'll find enough space for a couple of six-footers to sit behind comparably-sized adults in the front, though knees will be brushing the seat backs in front. Out back, there's a decently-sized 335-litre boot.

Market and Model

Pricing for the 30 TFSI sits in the £18,500 to £30,500 bracket. There are various trim options - base 'Tecknik', mid-range 'Sport', then 'S line' and top 'Vorsprung', plus there's an SUV-inspired 'Citycarver' version with a 4cm increase in ride height. You'll be offered the chance to pay just over £1,500 more to upgrade to 7-speed S tronic auto transmission if you want to. As for equipment, well for this second generation model range, Ingolstadt has standardised two key features - full-LED headlights and tail lamps; and a fully-digital instrument cluster - quite a large one too, 10.25-inches in size. Other standard features on the base 'Tecknik'-spec models include 15-inch '5-arm'-design alloy wheels, auto headlamps and wipers, heat-insulating glass, power-adjustable heated mirrors and an anti-theft alarm. Inside, you get a 3-spoke leather multi-function steering wheel, air conditioning, leather for the hand brake and gear knob, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and a speed limiter 'speed warning' system that allows a maximum speed to be set so you can take steps to preserve your licence on highways or in congested urban areas festooned with traffic cameras. Plus there's a comprehensive level of infotainment, courtesy of an 8.8-inch 'MMI Radio Plus' centre-dash screen incorporating 'MMI Touch'. This set-up includes voice control, a 6-speaker DAB audio system, a Bluetooth interface and the 'Audi Smartphone interface' which works with the 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring systems.

Cost of Ownership

Both versions of the three cylinder 1.0-litre unit, the '25 TFSI' and the '30 TFSI', return very similar efficiency stats; in the case of the '30 TFSI' with 'Tecknik' trim, a manual gearbox and 15-inch wheels, you're looking at up to 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and up to 128g/km of WLTP-rated CO2. That's for the manual: for the S tronic auto, the WLTP figures are 46.3mpg and 138g/km. Either way, that's quite a bit better than what you'd get from a rival MINI 5-Door Hatch in either MINI One or MINI Cooper form. We should point out that if you order your A1 '30 TFSI' with ritzier 'S line' trim and larger wheels, you'll hit the readings we just gave you by around 5%. Adding in the S tronic auto gearbox has no real impact on the CO2 figures, but hits the fuel result by around 10%. As for maintenance, well servicing your A1 Sportback should be no more taxing than is the case with one of the company's larger cars. As usual with Audi models, there's a choice of either a 'Fixed' or a 'Flexible' servicing regime, the choice between the two depending on the extent of your likely annual mileage.

Summary

Audi knows just what kind of person is likely to buy this A1. Someone who wants an entry point into the world of German luxury motoring. A car with its own styling personality and a cabin appointed with the kind of care and sophistication you'd expect from a premium brand. Shared engineering doesn't matter, as long as it's well disguised. Perceived quality absolutely does. The A1 Sportback delivers precisely to this brief and if you've ever wondered just how much style and luxury is really possible in a really small car, then it's worth trying one. It can't quite entertain like a MINI. Plus it's less interesting to look at - and probably a touch less personalisable too. On the other hand though, the A1 is more refined, has a much better quality of ride and is usefully larger inside. All of which will matter to likely buyers. But not quite as much as the fact that if you climb out of an A4 or an A6 into one of these, the feeling will be much the same. The essence of a large luxury car really has been distilled into a smaller, more accessible one. Just as Audi promised.

  • Rear wiper
  • Heated rear windscreen
  • Rain and light sensors
  • Electric front and rear windows
  • Heat insulating glass windscreen and side windows

  • Electronic Stability Control including ABS, EBD, ASR and EDL
  • Hill hold assist
  • Brake assist function

  • Front/rear floor mats

  • Dynamic suspension

  • Audi connect safety emergency and service including E-call
  • Bluetooth interface
  • Voice control system
  • Audi smartphone interface with connect compatible smartphone via USB directly MMI display + Nav,music, third party apps controlled via MMI controller

  • Audi drive select - power steering assistance + engine
  • Rear parking sensor
  • Cruise control
  • Lane departure warning system
  • Speed limiter
  • Electromechanical power steering

  • Automatic start/stop system

  • Driver's information system
  • Service interval indicator
  • Washer fluid level indicator
  • 10.25" Digital instrument cluster display classis style instrument dials + speed,odometer,time,outside temperature,telephone menu + fuel level warning

  • Electrically adjustable, heated, folding door mirrors with integrated LED side indicator
  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Body coloured door mirrors

  • Aluminium trim for control switches, air vents and digital instrument cluster
  • Silver grey accent areas including air vents, door handle recesses and centre console in diamond paint finish

  • 1 x SDXC card reader
  • 1 x USB type C and 1 USB type A charging points
  • MMI radio plus with 8.8" colour MMI display screen and MMI touch
  • DAB Digital radio

  • Slate grey inlays polygon structure in fine paint finish
  • Scandium grey tailpipe trim
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Radiator protective grille frame in matt aluminium silver
  • Radiator grille and rear diffuser in matt titanium black
  • Front side air inlets in grained matt black and C frame in titanium black
  • Side front spoiler lips in grained matt black

  • LED headlights with LED rear lights + dynamic rear indicators + headlight adjustment and high beam, turning light + LED daytime running lights
  • Rear fog lights

  • Titanium grey cloth headlining
  • Novum cloth upholstery with front sport seats
  • Leatherette handbrake grip
  • Leather gear knob with aluminium trim
  • 12V socket in centre console with two cup holders
  • Door sill trims with aluminium inlay
  • Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

  • Luggage compartment light with front and rear reading lights

  • Luggage compartment pack - A1
  • Technology pack - A1 Sportback

  • Seatbelt monitoring
  • Front and rear seatbelt reminder
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Tyre pressure warning light
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front side and head airbags
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation switch
  • Seatbelt height adjustment for front seats

  • 3 rear seats with headrests
  • Manually adjustable lumbar support in front seats
  • ISOFIX child seat mounting for front passenger and outer rear seats including top tether attachment point of outer rear seats
  • 40:60 Split folding rear seat or folded fully
  • Driver and passenger seat with manual height adjust with forward and backwards adjustment
  • Front head restraints

  • Immobiliser
  • Anti theft alarm
  • Audi pre-sense front with pedestrain and cyclist recognition
  • Anti theft wheel bolts and loose wheel warning
  • Remote central locking with 2 foldaway keys

  • CO2 (g/km): 111
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • HC+NOx: N
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 128
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Max: 130
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Min: 128

  • Engine Code: GBABMC
  • Cylinders: 3
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 12
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Transmission: MANUAL
  • Gears: 6 SPEED
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 74.5
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 76.4
  • CC: 999

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: True
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 50.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 50.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Max: 48.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Min: 5.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Max: 5.8

  • Generation Mark: 2
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: False
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 17E
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False
  • Service Interval Mileage: 19000
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 95
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 85
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 73
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: 80
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5
  • Badge Power: 110
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.0
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Coin Series: Sport [Tech Pack]
  • Coin Description: TFSI 110
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
  • Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

  • Engine Power - KW: 81
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5500
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 148
  • Engine Torque - NM: 200
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 2000
  • Engine Power - BHP: 110
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.5
  • Top Speed: 126
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 20.4

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Tyre Size Front: 195/55 R16
  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False
  • Wheel Style: 10 SPOKE
  • Tyre Size Rear: 195/55 R16
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY

  • Width (including mirrors): 1940
  • Height (including roof rails): 1409
  • Length: 4029
  • Width: 1740
  • Wheelbase: 2563

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1105
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 1655
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 40
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 335
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Loading Weight: 550
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1090
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.5

  • Audi side assist including rear cross-traffic assist: £75

  • 6 passive loudspeakers: Included

  • Contrast roof - Manhattan grey: £425
  • Contrast roof - Mythos black: £425
  • Metallic paint: £575
  • Pearlescent paint: £575
  • Special paint: £575
  • Solid paint: Included

  • Manual air conditioning: Included

  • Tool kit: Included
  • 3 spoke flat bottomed multi-function leather steering wheel: £250
  • 3 spoke leather multifunction plus steering wheel: Included

  • Comfort and sound pack - A1 Sportback: £1,150
  • Plus pack - A1 Sportback: £695

  • Metallic - Python yellow: £575
  • Metallic - Glacier white: £575
  • Metallic - Mythos black: £575
  • Metallic - Firmament blue: £575
  • Metallic - Manhattan grey: £575

  • Pearl - Arrow Grey: £575
  • Pearl - Misano Red: £575

  • Solid - Shell white: £0

  • Special solid - Tioman green: £575

  • Novum cloth - Granite grey with mint contrast + front sport seats: £0
  • Novum cloth - Granite grey steel grey contrast stitching + front sport seats: £0

  • 16" 10 Spoke design alloy wheels: £250
  • 17" 5 arm star design alloy wheels: £750
  • 16" 10 spoke turbine design alloy wheels: Included

  • Tyre repair kit: Included
  • Space saving spare wheel: £100
  • Tool kit and Jack: £25

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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