Audi A1 2015 Review

It's been five years since Audi went smaller than its two German arch-rivals – at least without creating a sub-brand like BMW's MINI or Daimler's smart — and created the pint-size A1, based on the entry-level Polo from its larger sister brand Volkswagen.

Since 2010, with the arrival in Australia of the three-door, which was subsequently replaced here by the five-door Sportback in 2012, the A1 has been more popular than any other light-size premium car.

Achieving exactly what Audi had hoped, the vast majority of A1 buyers are new to the four-ringed brand, as well as being mostly female.

Now, the A1 faces more pressure than ever from its only real rival in the luxury city-car segment (although there are others, like the two-door Citroen DS3 and Alfa Romeo MiTo, and top-end versions of the Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and Citroen C3), thanks to an expanding MINI line-up including the first five-door version.

Audi's answer is a relatively late midlife makeover, bringing more power and efficiency, plus fresh looks and improved value across the range, but there's a higher base price, two fewer variants and no sign of diesel or three-door options.

Like the MkIII MINI, the new entry-level A1 is now powered by a three-cylinder engine for the first time. Together with a revised 1.4 TFSI engine for midrange models and new 1.8 TFSI at the top end, Audi is claiming efficiency gains of up 10 per cent and up to 7kW more power.

However, gone from the range is the previous 1.6 TDI diesel engine, and Audi Australia continues to pass on the A1 three-door.

New to the Audi A1 range is a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine that is more powerful and efficient than the 1.2-litre unit it replaces.

Weighing just 88kg, it generates 70kW of power (up 7kW) and the same 160Nm of torque over a wide 1500-3500rpm, but consumes just 4.2L/100km combined with a five-speed manual transmission and only 4.4L/100km with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic.

That makes it about half a litre per 100km more frugal than the 1.2 it replaces, as well as 0.8 seconds quicker to 100km/h in a claimed 11.1 sec, which sounds a lot slower than it feels.

The A1 1.0 TFSI manual costs $26,900 plus on-road costs — $400 more than the outgoing 1.2 TFSI manual and $850 more than the cheapest MINI One 5-Door – while the seven-speed auto costs another $1350 at $28,250 — $150 less than the MINI One 5-Door auto.

We reckon that's a small price to pay for the efficiency and performance gains from Audi's first three-cylinder engine, which delivers plenty of punch and a unique engine note.

In addition, Audi says the 1.0 TFSI S tronic comes with more standard features than the MINI One 5-Door auto, including alloy wheels, cruise control, a multi-function leather-clad steering wheel, paddleshifers and a front armrest.

Meantime, the mid-range A1 1.4 TFSI Sport's 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine has been updated for 2015 and now delivers 92kW (up 2kW) and an unchanged 200Nm.

Fuel consumption reduces by 0.4L/100km to 4.9L/100km (six-speed manual) and 5.1L/100km (seven-speed auto), with both models claimed to hit 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.

The 1.4 TFSI manual now costs $27,750 (down $4500 and the same price as the MINI Cooper 5-Door) and this time the auto adds an extra $2350 at $30,100, meaning there are now three sub-$30K variants of the A1 – up from just one previously.

In addition to standard 1.0 TFSI features, Audi says the 1.4 TFSI Sport offers $6000 worth of added value with features like 16-inch alloy wheels, Audi Drive Select, climate-control, front sports seats, aluminium interior trim package, LED interior lighting package and front fog lights.

Audi claims the 1.4 TFSI comes with more standard features than the identically priced MINI Cooper 5-Door, including 16-inch wheels, Audi drive select, front fog lights, paddleshifters, front armrest, sports seats and automatic air-conditioning.

Capping the range is the 1.8 TFSI S line S tronic, packing a new 1.8-litre engine that, like the rest of the A1 line-up, features direct-injection, turbocharging and Euro 6 emissions compliance.

Compared to the 'twincharged' (supercharged and turbocharged) 136kW 1.4 in the old 1.4 TFSI Sport, it develops 5kW more at 141kW and the same 250Nm, but sprints to 100km/h a tenth quicker in 6.9 sec, consumes 0.3L/100km les at 5.6L/100km and costs the same $39,900.

Over the 1.4 TFSI the flagship 1.8 TFSI S line adds a claimed $4000 of extra value over the TFSI Sport it replaces, including 17-inch alloys, S line exterior sports styling package, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, stainless steel pedals, sports suspension and MMI Navigation plus with 20GB HDD storage and 2 x SHDC card readers.

There's no doubt the auto-only 1.8 TFSI S line is a fitting flagship engine for the mainstream A1 line-up, priced about $10,000 lower than the brilliant 170kW/370Nm S1 quattro hot hatch and sprinting to 100km.h in less than seven seconds.

But it's also about $10K pricier than the 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic, which lacks the 1.8 TFSI's S line treatment but we think delivers outstanding performance for the money.

For 2015, all A1s get a relatively mild exterior overhaul including redesigned headlights, a wider grille and fresh tail-lights, in line with the newer S1, plus bigger wheels across the range, giving all A1s a slightly manlier look.

But the biggest mechanical change is the shift from an electrohydraulic power steering system to an electromechanical – just like the VW Polo on which the A1 is based – although we didn't notice much difference to the latest A1's handling, which remains crisp and rewarding.

Standard features at base level include 15-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, Audi Music Interface with Bluetooth audio streaming and voice control, eight-speaker MMI Radio system with 6.5-inch colour display, cruise control, Driver Information System, power exterior mirrors, front centre armrest, auto headlights and wipers, Dynamic suspension and a multi-function three-spoke sports steering wheel with paddle shifters (auto).

As before, all A1s come with six airbags and a five-star ANCAP safety rating, but a reversing camera and advanced driver safety aids – like automatic emergency braking, which will be standard even on Skoda's $15,000 Fabia -- continue to remain unavailable.

But of course there are a range of options including digital radio ($600), metallic or pearl effect paint ($990), 14-speaker 465-Watt Bose surround sound ($1450) and a panoramic sunroof ($1850).

Option packs for the 1.0 TFSI and 1.4 TFSI also include a Style package ($1990) comprising xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloys.

Then there's the Technik package ($2490) with MMI Navigation plus, 20GB HDD storage and 2 x SDHC readers, Audi sound system and S line sports package.

Finally for the 1.8 TFSI is a $2990 package offering 18-inch alloys in a five-arm rotor design, sports seats in cloth/leather, S line multifunction sports steering wheel with paddleshifts, black headlining, perforated leather-clad gear shifter and S line interior logos and trims.

With three contrasting roof colour options ($700), 12 paint colours and 12 wheel designs, Audi says there more than a million colour combinations are possible.

But even in base form, the new A1 1.0 TFSI turbo-triple offers enough character and mid-range torque to be a satisfying small premium hatch priced under $30,000, even if there's a degree of hesitation off the line from the idle-stop system and dual-clutch auto.

Combine the perky performance with light, precise and talkative steering, suspension tune that also finds the right balance between comfort and performance, a small but well packaged interior offering a surprising level of passenger and cargo room and Audi's benchmark design and build quality, and the latest A1 should stay at the top of the list for any premium light car buyer not keen on a MINI.

Also consider:
>> Alfa Romeo MiTo (from $22,500)
>> Citroen DS 3 DSport ($33,990 plus ORCs)
>> MINI Cooper 5-Door (from $26,050)