Today's A1 is on its way out of Audi's showrooms. The new A1 is now rolling out of the Seat/Audi factory in Martorell above Barcelona. They will eventually fill the space left by the first-generation A1. It's one like that I've driven. An outgoing, but brand new 2018 model with S-line decor. One of the last A1s produced at the Audi factory in Brussels. Audi's first all-electric car is now being produced there.
Discreet facelift
The A1 actually received a facelift in 2015 without causing much fuss. The most important changes are new front lights, new rear lights and new bumpers. The profile that extends around the car at bumper height was made more marked. Inside, I can't see any significant changes at all, but I've read that the facelift included new engines and that upgrades were made to the steering.
Need A1?
I have to admit that I have seen no need for the A1 in the Volkswagen Group's model range. It shares a platform and engine with the Volkswagen Polo 5 and Skoda Fabia, models that are more than good enough in this segment. Purely subjectively, I think the Polo looks better too, - and it is registered for 5 - not 4 like A1. One of the reasons for having a car like this is to drive children to training and music practice, and then you need as many seats as possible.
I think the A1 looks feminine. The sloping, slightly coupé-like rear end is a bit similar to the Fiat 500. Here, the focus has obviously been on form – and not space. The had would actually have been possible to cram 3 hopeful children into the back seat, but Audi opted for two seats in the back, perhaps to mark a luxurious touch. No one should have to sit tight in an Audi. The Polo 5 is not particularly pleasing to the eye either, but it is designed as a practical car without looking sloppy.
The interior
The decor shows signs of having a few years behind it. Everything could have been dated from the launch year 2010. However, the pop-up screen and the infotainment system with switches on the dashboard look quite alright and work well. The entire dashboard is also made of soft plastic - feels solid. The seats don't look like Audi seats (Audi uses the same seats across several models), but they look ok. I can't decide if they are taken from the Polo, - or simply specially made for the A1? I jacked the seat cushion up a little at the back. With my right arm on the center armrest, I found a good driving position.
Engines
I recognize the drivetrain from the Skoda Rapid. 1.0 TFSI 95HK S tronic, which I drove earlier this summer. The good torque is so far down on the rev scale that the engine only churns around slightly above idle. This eliminates the annoying three-cylinder engine sound. Like the Rapid, engine noise is almost absent. You only hear a low-frequency hum and general hum from the road. I noticed lugging when starting up and in traffic. I don't know if it was the automatic clutch or "turbolag" - something I didn't notice so clearly in the Rapid. I think it may have something to do with the fact that the Audi was brand new. Although I could make it go smoother with a manual transmission, I wouldn't opt out of the S-tronic.
On the road
The car feels suitably motorized at speed. I noticed the steering. On the motorway it is suitably heavy, but more direct than I am used to from the Polo 5. If the car had been equipped with Audi Drive Select, I would have thought someone had adjusted the steering feel towards "Dynamic". I really liked the electromechanical, speed-sensitive steering. Compared to the Polo, the body seemed a bit stiffer. I also felt that the car was a couple of centimeters lower than the Polo. All in all, the A1 is a really fun car to drive.
Safety
NCAP tested the Audi A1 in 2010. It then received the same good score for driver and passenger as the Polo 5, which was launched the previous year. The results are not identical, but they are just as good. It's only trifles that make the difference. With regard to the protection of children A1 got a slightly lower score than Polo. According to NCAP, this is due to insufficient labeling in connection with the airbag on the right side. It should be noted that an active airbag on the passenger side can injure children in a rear-facing seat, which was not in place in NCAP's pre-series car. Like the Polo, the airbag can be deactivated by using the ignition key to turn a switch inside the glove compartment. The actual results, measured on crash dummies corresponding to 3-year-old and 18-month-old baby, were practically the same as Polo's measurements.
Report from ncap.com
Active safety is good in the A1, as it is in the Polo and Fabia. "My" A1 was not equipped with any kind of automatic emergency stop/collision warning. I don't think it has ever been available on the outgoing A1.
Economy
On mixed driving - motorway - country road and a bit of town - I achieved 0,43 liters per mile with economical throttle. For light driving, the consumption will probably be able to creep a little over 0,5. There is nothing to say about that.
As this is being written, the Møller group is putting its stock cars and demo models up for sale. Cars with the same motorization and equipment as "mine" are sold from dealers for NOK 269. For that price you get a brand new Volkswagen Polo 000 Businessline with the same drivetrain ready for the road with winter tyres. Facelifted A6 with a couple of years behind it and barely driven in, is offered on Finn.no for just over NOK 1, and appears to be a far better buy.
Audi A1 at Finn.no
Conclusion
The Volkswagen group is investing heavily in the drivetrain that sits in "my" Audi. You can get it delivered in the 2019 model as well - and in the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia, Rapid Spaceback and Seat Ibiza. I'm not a big fan of 3-cylinder engines, primarily because of the enervating soundscape. The TFSI engine of 95 horses and S tronic/DSG is not so bad, neither in terms of sound or performance.
One might wonder whether there has even been room for outgoing A1 in this company. I would have chosen Polo because of space and because it is good enough in all branches. What the Audi A1 scores on is that it is fun to drive. The outgoing A1 is still a youthful car - with a slight hint of femininity.
Facts
Drivetrain
Engine: 1.0 TFSI
Type: Petrol 95, 3-cyl, turbo and intercooler
HP: 95 between 5000-5500 revs
Torque: 160 Nm between 1500-3500 revolutions
Gearbox: 7-speed S tronic
Performances
Top speed: 186 km/h
Ax. 0-100: 11,1 sec.
consumption
City: 0,54-0,56 l/mile
Country road: 0,38-0,40 l/mile
Actual consumption: 0,43-0,51 l/mil
Tires
Continental 185/60-R15 studless winter tires.
Weights and Measures
Length/width/height in cm: 397/174/142
Own weight: 1165 kg
Luggage compartment: 270 litres
- with rear seats folded down: 920 litres
Fuel tank: 45 litres
About the car
Leased by Hyre.no
Owner: Møllerbil West
Source: www.audi.es
More pictures
All images are displayed in a larger format by clicking on them.
See
