Extensively redesigned: meet the new Audi A1 and A1 Sportback

THE Audi A1 range represents all of the virtues of the Audi brand with its progressive design, uncompromising quality and ground-breaking efficiency, catering to its modern customer target market for a young, urban, lifestyle-oriented individual.

It may be the most compact Audi in the family, but the A1 range has proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with. Since its international introduction in 2010, the A1 range has not only become a segment leader, but has also successfully won over more customers than any other Audi model, according to this German car maker.

The Audi A1 is now being made even more attractive with benefits to both interior and exterior design.

For the first time, the Audi A1 will be offered with a three-cylinder TFSI engine emitting less than 100g of CO? per km.

In addition, the S-tronic transmission is now available on all models. Higher specification levels have been included across the range, while new colours and a selection of wheel options allow customers to easily customise their vehicles.

The design is now even sportier, emphasized by a two centimeter increase in its length and various new design elements, such as the new bumper, headlights and grille.

All the engines are entirely new or have undergone extensive advanced development. Power output has been increased in most engines, while fuel economy has been reduced by as much as ten percent.

The range in South Africa will be offered with the new-generation TFSI engines in both three and four-cylinder variants.

The previous 1.2T FSI 63kW and 1.4T FSI 136kW models have been replaced with a three-cylinder 1.0T FSI and four-cylinder 1.8T FSI respectively. The existing 1.4T FSI engine has increased power and greater fuel efficiency. There will not be any TDI engines on offer in the range.

The entry-level engine is the first three-cylinder petrol engine in the history of Audi.

The Audi A1 1.0 TFSI produces 70kW of power and 160Nm of torque, with a combined fuel consumption of just 4.3l per 100km with corresponding CO2 emissions figure of only 98 g/km, making it completely exempt from emissions taxation. It will be available in both manual and S tronic transmissions in South Africa. This model will be available in S specification with higher specification SE models due later in 2015.

The 1.4T FSI engine produces 92kW with a torque figure of 200Nm. The fuel consumption is a mere 5l per 100km and CO2 emissions of 117g per km. This model is also available in both manual and S tronic and with SE specification.

The second last engine on offer is the revised 1.8T FSI, producing 141kW and 250Nm. It has a combined fuel consumption and emissions figure of 5.6l per 100km and 130g per km respectively. This model will only be available in S tronic transmission.

The final engine on offer is the pinnacle of the range, the Audi S1. Launched in South Africa in December 2014, the high-performance four-cylinder unit develops 170kW and produces up to 370Nm of torque and is available only in manual transmission.

The Audi A1 range prices are:

Audi A1:

• Audi A1 1.0T FSI S manual – R265 000

• Audi A1 1.0T FSI S tronic – R282 500

• Audi A1 1.4T FSI SE manual – R298 500

• Audi A1 1.4T FSI SE S tronic – R316 000

• Audi A1 1.8T FSI Sport S tronic – R382 500

• Audi S1 2.0T FSI quattro manual – R452 500

Audi A1 Sportback:

• Audi A1 Sportback 1.0T FSI S manual – R272 500

• Audi A1 Sportback 1.0T FSI S tronic – R290 000

• Audi A1 Sportback 1.4T FSI SE manual – R306 000

• Audi A1 Sportback 1.4T FSI SE S tronic – R323 500

• Audi A1 Sportback 1.8T FSI Sport S tronic – R390 000

• Audi S1 Sportback 2.0T FSI quattro manual – R460 000.

All prices are inclusive of VAT and the standard Audi Freeway Plan of five years or 100 000km.