In 2010, a brand-new Audi model line made its debut in the shape of the A1. And now the second generation of the successful compact car is rolling to the starting line. Its dynamic design characterizes the new Audi A1 Sportback.
Why Audi has chosen to build a compact hatchback is beyond me, but that’s what they’ve done and the Audi A1 Sportback is one of the best. The 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine is a brilliant little unit which provides plenty of power for the car’s size, while being economical and quite refined too. The new audi A1 Sportback S trims are also excellent value, with options such as leather steering wheel and sports seats at a reasonable price point.
The Audi A3 Sportback is an excellent car that has been rejigged to appeal to younger buyers – those who want something sporty without owning a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class. It’s not cheap but it does look great and drives really well and you’ll be hard pushed to find better value for money than the Audi A2 Sportback hatchback – especially in the higher spec models with their four-cylinder diesel engines.
Audi A1 Sportback
The new Audi A1 Sportback-What’s good
The Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport is available now from £16,475.
- High-tech infotainment Safe and comfortable to drive Excellent choice of petrol engines and diesel engines
- Top safety rating for all models Excellent value for money Strong brand reputation for reliability
The Audi A1 Sportback-What’s not so good
- No diesel engine options Alternatives are cheaper to buy A Mini looks cooler – inside and out The Mini is an enduring success story. But it’s not without its faults, and while they’re not deal-breakers, they do make life harder in some areas.
- On a recent trip to the UK, I spent almost two weeks behind the wheel of a number of different Minis – all with manual transmissions – and found that what I really hate about driving one isn’t so much anything specific but more the overall experience.
- Let me explain: there are certain things you just don’t want to do in a car anymore; they’d be akin to doing them at home on your own computer, or worse still on your phone. A lot of people would consider these activities quite normal (and certainly nothing wrong with them) but when you’re sitting in another person’s car as opposed to yours, it feels like you’re crossing some kind of line between “me” and “them”, and that can have consequences for how comfortable you feel being there.
- The car was very sporty and masculine, with the genes of an Ur-quattro. Borrowing from the legendary Audi Sport quattro, the LED headlights and LEDs are dark tinted. . The 18-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in 245/35ZR18 tyres. The exclusive paint colour is called Black Sapphire, and it comes with a contrasting black leather interior package that includes the seats, door panels, centre console and dashboard trim.
- . The car is finished in the same color scheme as the Audi A3, which was released on June 1st, 2018.
- The model name “Hatchback” has been removed from the model designation of this vehicle. It will be referred to as an Audi A3 Hatchback instead.
New look: the interior design review 2022
- The interior is driver-focused. A look at the sporty compact unit of air vents shows that it is not just another straightforward design: Its functional elegance, like a sculpture, completely forms the impression while not outstripping the speed of thought. The eye also passes over an Audi badge on the outer door sill as well as to exterior details such as the customizable sports grille and dynamic LED headlights with optional xenon light-emitting diode (LED) technology. The three different trim variants are available in various colors, too: “Interior design selection” offers customers incredible stylistic freedom, whereas “S line” fully delivers the emotional and sporting character of Audi drive technology. In combination with this is Bangle Control which automatically raises or lowers vehicles when parking or reversing; an automatic tailgate closing system; and intelligent keyless entry via Audi’s Virtual Cockpit including multifunction steering wheel controls and a head-up display integrated into vehicle glass including BMW ConnectedDrive gesture function via smartphone app control via Apple CarPlay™ using iPhone® 5s/5c/5 models installed in i OS 7.1 or above as well as Android 4.4 or above for handsfree use by pressing some buttons on dashboard.
- . The highlight of the design is the front section, which features a unique and exclusive design.
- The outer contours are defined by a series of air vents that run from the front to the rear.
- In order for these to work properly, an active aerodynamic underbody was installed.
- This produces excellent cooling performance and enhances downforce generation at high speeds.
- More space and comfort: the Intensity concept The capacity is 7,000 liters (2.4 cu ft) with the rear seats folded down; it can hold 115% more weight than a mini-van at 700 kg (1,540 lb). The loading sill height is comfortably low 67 cm (2.2 ft); compared to competitors whose loading sills are 3–5 times as high, this means that shoppers can fit significantly more goods in their shopping baskets. The low cargo floor means that customers will be prepared for any situation they encounter during their travels. The rear seat is split 60/40. The seats recline and can be folded flat, with a bench seat back on the second row. With the second row folded down, cargo space increases to 1,090 L (38.5 cu ft).
- All have a single turbo, direct injection and a particulate filter. The line-up starts off with a 1.0-litre three cylinder engine with 94bhp (called 25 TFSI), then a 1.0-litre with 108bhp (30 TFSI), then a 1.5-litre unit producing 148bhp (35 TFSI) and finally a 2.0-litre (40 TFSI) unit capable of 204bhp.
- The new five-door ‘Sportback’ version of the Audi A1 is driven in the UK for the first time, tested with the most popular 121bhp TFSI engine.
