When such prestige is bestowed on a city car, the alchemy cannot help but produce a car of special interest. Especially if your target market is that of small and stylish city cars, always up to date - and upgradeable - with technologically advanced optional, and a sporty attitude in their top versions. And this is the case of the small three and five-door A1 Sportback version, able to cope with the fierce competition from formidable rivals in the same competitive European segment well represented by a number of manufacturers like Mini, Citroen C3 , Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo Mito, including their sporty variations, such as the John Cooper Works, DS3, Abarth and Mito Turbo CTC.
The A1 is a true Audi, for all intents and purposes, as pointed out from Ingolstadt. Only reduced to the size of a city car, yet enhanced by premium-class and technological equipment that guarantees low fuel consumption or the exaggerated grit of the S1 version, 18-inch wheels and all-wheel drive included.
THE A8 IN ITS SIGHT
We all agree, the most representative Audi sedan, the A8, especially in the muscle S8 version with 520 hp, for its content, refinement and performance is certainly a difficult model to imitate. Even in the small A1, something of the big sedan can be found, without even having to try too hard. In stylistic elements, first of all, where the front end is dominated by a single-frame grille framed by the two headlights identify the small city car as a true Audi, dispelling at once even the smallest doubt. But also in numerous set-up elements, with solutions particularly polished for a class A vehicle, like exclusive equipment and connectivity to cyberspace.
The personality of the A1 stands out most in the rear section, dominated by a large tailgate, both for the 3 doors and the 5 door Sportback, with a stylish bumper and halogen lights ( xenon plus lights available as optional ) absolutely effective thanks to their 54 Super Red LEDs. Although less than 4 meters in total length, the side panels deserve to be mentioned, in 2/3 and 1/3 proportions between the metal and glass surface, favored in their development by a 2.47 metre long wheelbase, tapering to very short overhangs with muscular-looking fenders, in reference to the sporty R8, adequate for wheels up to 18 inches in diameter. Particularly dynamic looks, softened by slender pillars and customizable in 800 different ways by means of adhesive graphics, even after the purchase of the car, on top of which a sloping roof has four shades of contrast, or an optional opening panoramic roof to give the impression of being at the wheel of a convertible.
Two standard setups, Attraction and Ambition, that do not represent a “ one size fits all” solution, but rather, a cross-platform technology allowing to chose from a large range of optional, both internal and external. And to top it all, the advanced systems of infotainment Media Style, expanding the range of the radio with a very useful connectivity package, the MMI navigation system playable on a 6.5 " manually retractable display screen, Bluetooth connectivity, maps, Google Earth, Audi online services and voice commands in 12 languages, all included. Just as on the A8.
TURBO AND DOWNSIZING
Small is beautiful. But even economical, fun, and even exuberant. With this concept in mind, in which dynamism maintains a dominant position, Audi engineers have equipped the A1 range with four-cylinder engines compact in size yet able to guarantee high-performance, both in consumption and driving pleasure. Two petrol engines, all-aluminum and equipped with a turbocharger, dominate the entry level of the range, with the 86hp 1.2-liter TFSI supported by a 1.4 liters available in three versions, able to produce 122, 140 and up to 185 bhp for the top-end model. The first, managed by a five-speed manual transmission benefits from running costs reduction thank to energy recovery system during braking and Start & Stop system, to ensure appreciable performance while maintaining a declared average consumption of 19.6 km / liter.
The second, more oriented to satisfy a desire for performance, can count on a six-speed manual gearbox or, on request, the innovative S Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, dual-clutch equipped with control levers on the steering wheel, characterized by superfast gear shifting thanks to the split gears managed on two separate shafts. Unfortunately, this is not possible for the two TDI engines, where for the turbo diesel common rail with piezo-injectors of 1.6 and 2 liters of displacement, respectively able to produce, 90, 105, and 143 hp, only manual 5 or 6 speed transmissions are available. Which translates anyway in a more than honorable performance, with more than adequate sprint, acceleration and top speed, while remaining particularly economical, averaging respectively 22.7 and 20 km / liter.
Audi has recently integrated its compact range with the S1 series, the top of the range for performance and displacement, both on the three and five-door hatchback, powered by the exuberant 2-liter TFSI with 231 hp of maximum power. The reference to the famous S1 rally car of the 80s, with which Audi dominated the World Championship against Lancia, Peugeot and Ford, is not accidental. The Quattro permanent four wheel drive, with hydraulic clutch-plate mounted on the rear axle, is the only one available in the city car segment, able to handle a particularly aggressive behavior, with searing acceleration 0-100 km / h in just 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 250 km / h.
Common to the entire A1 range, we find the structural platform designed by the Volksawagen group, shared with the VW Polo, an historic bond between these two models dating back to 1974 with the Audi 50. It is thanks to the widespread use of high strength metal sheets, a neutral weight balance and the many solutions stiffening the chassis, that the small A1 excels in driving precision and fun typical of the more famous TT. The wider axle-track, the direct and progressive power-steering, in addition to the ESP with electronic front axle locking, and handling secured by well-balanced suspensions, conceal the impression of driving a small car, making the driver feeling like driving a GT, even when driving in city traffic.
Depending on the trim levels and engine, as far as tires are concerned on the Audi A1 we find a wide range of sizes, with a wide choice of optional wheels of the most different shapes, including specific winter equipment M+S. The basic choice is represented by a 15-inch steel wheel with 185/60 R15 tire (205/55 R15 in the aluminum alloy version) to progressively increase to 16, 17 and 18 inches with 225/35 low-profile, OE on the S1 series and optional on all other versions.
As one era draws to an end another one begins. With the 240 series, dating back to the 80’s, Volvo introduced diesel engines on a large scale, now with the new S60, diesel engines disappear from the Swedish maker’s catalogue in favour of plug-in hybrids
Two levels of power and decent mileage (450 kilometres) for the Korean crossover ready to take on the EV market. High-capacity batteries and snappy engines characterize this urban crossover
In a little less than 15 years it will be practically impossible to buy a new ICE car, and it will make no difference if it is a hybrid version. With this decision the European Union wants to permanently stop the sale of millions of cars in Europe
