The second generation Audi A1 arrives with more technology, style and trendy looks. Looking to take the throne for best in class, it takes on the uber-chic MINI Hatch, popular Ford Fiesta and retro Fiat 500 in the compact class.
Audi’s aim here was quite simply to design “The sportiest interior in the compact class”, and by Jove I think they’ve cracked it. Its flat out sexy, chic and down right gorgeous.
The interior is accordingly driver-focused. Its emotive, customisable design draws the eye to the sporty compact unit of air vent nozzles, hood and the digital instrument cluster emphasising the special cockpit character.
“Flat out sexy, chic and down right gorgeous”
The display and air vent strip on the front passenger side are integrated in a continuous black glass look with the optional contour and ambient lighting package bringing the interior to life in the dark with a range of 30 selectable colours.
The technology in the Audi A1 has progressed in leaps and bounds from the first generation A1, adapting elements from the new shared Audi design language. A fully digital instrument cluster with a high resolution 10.25 inch display comes as standard, accompanied by a multifunction steering wheel allowing easy control of the Multi Media Interface (Audi MMI).
The must have for any modern Audi – Virtual Cockpit is available as an optional extra with an extended range of functions presenting comprehensive and diverse information such as animated navigation maps and graphics of some driver assistance systems in the driver’s direct field of vision.
Infotainment & Audi Connect
The Infotainment concept in the new Audi A1 Sportback comes from the full size class. The MMI radio is available as standard and can be operated via the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel as well as the display in the fully digital instrument cluster available in the top configuration.
A 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen blends seamlessly into the black glass-look area with the latest generation of voice control allowing dialog between driver and car. In conjunction with Audi connect, MMI navigation plus offers additional drivers functions such as hybrid route guidance which calculates your route in the cloud using shared traffic data. Additional highlights and new to the Audi A1 are 3D city models, which offer a precise map view of many urban centres.
Maps are kept up to date by up to four automatic updates per year which are downloaded and installed to the vehicle free of charge over the air.
Other highlights include
- Integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- USB-C connector with increased charging current
- Audi wireless charging phone box (optional)
It is 2018 after all but music aficionados will be pleased to find DAB radio available as standard with the Audi sound system. If the first generation Audi A1 was anything to go by, the optional eleven speaker Premium Sound System will be a winner. Brought to you by Bang & Olufsen, it’ll produce and output of 560 watts using the new 3D effect to bounce your tunes back towards you from the windscreen.
The new Audi A1 Sportback has grown significantly in length making it a lot more spacious inside the cabin, giving a little more leg room for rear passengers as well as increasing the luggage capacity.
Although a little too snug to fit 3 adults comfortably in the rear, taller rear seat passengers will notice improved head room despite the appearance of a sporty roof line and compact exterior dimensions.
Luggage capacity has increased by 65 litres which is a 21.5% gain from the outgoing model bringing the overall capacity to 335 litres with rear seats up. The luggage capacity however only sees a 17% increase with rear seats folded down giving a total capacity of 1,090 litres. A low loading sill height does allow easier loading and offloading of luggage.
Exterior
The Audi A1 Sportback has been updated with an even trendier look and presented in an eye-catching, masculine design with taut lines; giving a subtle tribute to the classic and sporty Audi UR Quattro, the brand’s iconic rally car from 1984.
Growing significantly in length by an additional 56 millimetres (2.2 in), the Audi A1 now measures 4.03 meters (13.2 ft) with the width remaining almost identical to the outgoing model at 1.74 metres (5.7 ft), and the height for the new-generation model measuring 1.41 meters (4.6 ft) including aerial.
The front is dominated by a wide, low placed single-frame grille and implied side air inlets which give a strong and aggressive appearance. This accompanied with the wide track and short overhangs provide for a taut, sporty look overall.
The roof contrast line, available in two dark colours, ends above the C-pillar giving the impression that the roof is flatter with the Audi A1 sitting even lower down.
The range topper engine is also easily distinguishable with its striking twin tailpipes with smaller engine variants not having a visible tailpipe when viewed from the rear. Audi has also steered away from the “fake exhaust” look and instead included larger trim elements to the rear bumper to balance out the styling.
The new Audi A1 Sportback is certain to WOW! with its vibrant palette of 10 colours with the option of finishing the roof in a contrasting colour from the A-pillar to the roof edge spoiler. The exterior mirror housings, side front spoiler lips and side sills are also available in a contrasting colour.
Early buyers will want to get their hands on the Edition model which is based on the S line equipment line and is particularly distinctive with large 18-inch wheels in bronze, white or black depending on the exterior finish and set
powerful accents. The Audi rings in foil on the side of the car are also available in the rim colour.
