We review the Audi A1 from price to economy and all its features
IT’S BMW and Mini’s worst nightmare – a cool Audi supermini.
And the super-slick new A1 is pure Audi quality – a small car with no compromises.
Mini have had it all their own way since the brand’s 2000 relaunch, and they’ve cashed in big time. Now they’ve got competition.
First came the excellent Citroen DS3, although the Citroen badge lacks the image to really threaten Mini.
Now the Audi A1 is genuine Premier League opposition, and they should be worried. I wasn’t convinced about it when I saw the pictures, but see it on the road and its presence hits you.
It doesn’t have the cheeky character or sheer individuality of the Mini because it instantly looks part of the Audi family, thanks to the classic four-ring grille. But imagine shrink-wrapping all the Audi qualities into a small package and you get the A1 – it’s Vorsprung Durch Technik in miniature.
Where the Mini is unashamedly retro, the A1 is modern and progressive, chic and sophisticated.
It doesn’t have wow factor but does have the Audi X-factor, oozing understated class from every inch of its coupe-like profile.
Step inside and it could only be an Audi. No corners have been cut and it shares lots of the layout and instruments of its big brothers but gets nice touches of its own, such as smart, round air vents trimmed in piano black, which look like jet-engine turbines.
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Top-end models get the same entertainment and sat-nav system as the A8 limo.
Tall passengers won’t fancy travelling long distances in the back but they will find it comfier than the Mini. The car also boasts a bigger, 290litre boot.
But can it beat the Mini for handling and fun? In a word, no. But I’m not sure that matters to anyone except a real enthusiast.
And the A1 has a range of four engines that deliver what the majority of drivers want – reasonable performance and very good fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
The 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines may not sound much but they’re turbo-charged and return 55.4mpg and 54.3mpg respectively, with equally impressive CO2 emissions of 118 and 119g/km.
If you don’t like going to the filling station, the 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine is the one to go for, delivering 70mpg and even lower CO2 emissions, of just 105g/km. Like the Mini, the A1 will be big on customisation, with several different packages. But they will cost extra.
Price is the final crucial question.
The A1 compares favourably here, starting at £13,145* for the 1.2-litre. The diesel opens at £13,545* and the lavishly equipped S Line 1.4-litre turbo goes up to £18,280*.
Although the Mini First starts at £11,160, it’s a very basic machine, as is the Mini One at £12,620*. The Cooper is probably a fairer comparison, opening at £13,980* – and remember that well-equipped Minis go up to £23,400*.
All of which leaves me in no doubt that the A1 will rain on Mini’s parade. But Mini have very loyal customers and three new models due – so let the little car battle commence.
*euro prices to be confirmed
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A USED AUDI A1
There have been reports of software glitches with the optional dual-clutch (S tronic) auto gearbox, and some owners have found this unusually noisy.
Audi has not enjoyed the best reputation for reliability in recent years, but the A1 looks pretty well screwed together.