Road test: Audi A1
The A1 is initially be available with an 86PS 1.2 TFSI engine with 5-speed manual, a 105PS 1.6 TDI with 5-sp manual or a 122PS 1.4 TFSI manual with either a 6-sp manual or a 7-sp ‘S tronic’ dual clutch transmission. All have fuel saving start/stop technology and the claimed performance figures are: 0.62 in 11.7 secs and 112mph max (1.2), 10.5 secs and 118mph (1.6), and 8.9 secs and 126mph for the 1.4 with either transmission. I drove the 6-sp 1.4 first and it’s a nippy little thing. Although it has 17 more horsepower, its 200Nm of torque doesn’t have quite the low-down thrust of the punchy, 250Nm 1.6 TDI, but both engines feel suitably relaxed at speed on the motorway.
As standard the A1 rolls on 15-inch alloys, but both the 1.4 and 1.6 I test drove were equipped with optional, 17-inchers with lower profile tyres. These provide lots of grip and a decently responsive steering, but the A1 isn’t quite as eager through the bends as it might have been. On a recently-surfaced, smooth road the ride quality is absolutely fine, but such roads are increasingly rare in the UK and on lesser surfaces the A1’s ride varies between merely okay to one notch short of harsh. Furthermore, on those lesser surfaces, (eg. a concrete motorway or a backwater A-road) a significant level of road and tyre noise finds its way into the cabin.
Read the full Audi A1 road test
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