2012 Audi A1 Reviews

Any new city car is a small fish in a very large pond. While there's growing demand for the tiddlers, there's also growing competition - so any newcomer needs the right bait to lure buyers. Audi cracked it with the three-door A1, with four or five rolling out the showroom door every day since it arrived 18 months ago. Now it gets extra appeal in the five-door Sportback version that adds practicality and opens those two extra doors to new customers. On paper it almost promises perfection: several drivetrains, good looks, and affordable entry into a prestige badge.VALUEThe Sportback range kicks off with the $26,500 1.2 TFSI (turbo petrol) manual and tops out $16,000 later with the performance-focused $42,500 1.4 TFSI Sport with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission.In between at $29,990 are a detuned version of the 1.4 TFSI or the 1.6 TDI diesel tested here with the $2350 S-tronic option. It comes only in the base Attraction spec, which includes alloy wheels, all the creature comforts you'd expect, plus a six-speaker single CD Concert audio system linked to a hefty 6.5-in display that retracts into the top of the dash.So at $32,250 all up, what does it face off against? The natural comparison is against the Polo on which it's based, and which comes in nearly $10,000 cheaper with the same drivetrain. However some people will see that much value in the Audi badge and a more upmarket fit-out - even in the A1's base spec.Other five-door diesel auto choices include the $36,990 Citroen DS4 DStyle and the $39,200 2WD Mini Countryman D 2WD - which share a jointly-developed 1.6-litre turbodiesel with six-speed auto. But you're paying extra only to get either the over-fussy styling of the Citroen or the pointlessness of a front-wheel drive Mini positioned as an SUV.DESIGNIt's impossible to look at the A1 Sportback and not like it. A well-proportioned body, well-judged accents, and everything tasteful without being staid. The main drawbacks are the tiny door mirrors -- which look neat but trim the view - and the sloping roofline's cannibalisation of rear seat headroom.Otherwise there's enough comfortable space for four adults as long as the rear ones are not too long-legged. Luggage space is 270 litres, but dropping the rear seat boosts it to a very usable 920 litres. Taking a leaf out of Mini's very thick customisation catalogue, the A1 has myriad combinations of trim, exterior, contrasting roof - and even coloured air vent bezels - to tempt your wallet.TECHNOLOGYThe 1.6-litre turbodiesel gives you 66kW of power and a healthy 230Nm of torque, delivered to the front wheels by either a five-speed manual or the seven-speed S-tronic we tested.It's economy focused, with the manual's official fuel figure a miserly 3.8L/100km and the auto getting 4.2L/100km - partly because the S-tronic misses out on the benefit of the stop-start system on all other models in the A1 range.We ended up well into the 5L/100km range, mainly because we were mostly using the transmission in Sport or manumatic mode - more on that shortly.SAFETYIt hasn't been tested here, but gets five stars in European NCAP crash tests. Safety fit-out includes six airbags -- dual front, side and full-length curtain -- anti-lock brakes with electronic assistants for extreme and panic braking and stability control, but no reversing camera even as an option.DRIVINGThe A1 gets some great dynamic DNA from its VW Polo bloodstock, and adding extra doors hasn't made it any less nimble. The steering is honed and connected, and while the ride is firm, the chassis is confident and balanced.Our daily runs through hilly bends became a go-kart joy in the little car, which responded by turning in precisely and showing taut brilliance in cornering - helped by a braking system that applies to the inside front wheel.It's not a rocket off the mark, but when you get going there's plenty of torque down low to keep you interested. However all that fun was had with the transmission in fuel-burning sport and manual modes, because -- left to its own devices -- the dual-clutch doesn't come to the party quite early enough.Urging the engine along is going to savage the fuel economy, and you also pay a decibel penalty, with the engine surprisingly harsh even at mid-range revs - chiming in with pronounced road noise over almost every surface.Admittedly, those were the only sour notes in the cabin, which despite being in base spec still carries enough of the premium feel to let you know you're in an Audi.VERDICTWe loved the car with the little 1.2-litre petrol engine for the city, and everybody will love it with the sport-tuned range-topping 1.4-litre, but it's hard to warm to the diesel which seems to sit oddly with the A1's market position aimed at young, trendy urbans.Audi A1 Sportback  1.6 TDIPrice: from $29,990 ($32,250 as tested)Warranty: Three years/unlimited kmService intervals: 12 months/15,000kmEngines: 1.6-litre turbodiesel, 66kW/230NmTrans: Five-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch automated manualBody: Five-door hatchDimensions: 3954mm (L), 1746mm (W), 1422mm (H), 2469mm (WB)Weight: 1260kgThirst: 3.8 litres/100km, 99g/km CO2Wheels: 15-in alloySpare: space saver temp

Audi’s baby A1 is spreading its wings – or more accurately its doors, having added a couple to arrive in Sportback versions.Bigger than a hatch, but sexier than a wagon, the Sportback hopes to extend the A1’s appeal to young families who like the upmarket style of the original coupe, but need those extra doors to load the kiddies through.It’s also something of a bait to draw new buyers to the brand, so while it’s at the entry end of the Audi model floor, it hasn’t missed out on premium finishes and features.DESIGNApart from the extra doors, it’s not so easy to spot the differences. Audi has managed to pretty well maintain the shape with a just slightly bigger body that gives more room for heads and legs, plus easier access.The rear row is now a triple-seater, although snug to a near-intimate degree, but all spots have headrests and three-point seatbelts.Drop the rear seats and the 270-litre boot space balloons out to 920 litres, happily without having to first go through wrestling the headrests out of their slots.The nsoe gets the new sharpened single-frame grille and curved LED daytime running lights.  Following in the path of the Mini – and possibly luring some of its fans – there’s almost endless scope for customisation, starting with a contrasting colour roof and going from there to … whatever you want.The Audi options catalogue is a virtual vehicle Lego kit. Build in your personal preferences and you’re unlikely to ever meet an identical car on the road. The dash is a perfect marriage of funky and classy, avoiding the gimmickry of Mini’s layout (which largely suffers from having a tacho the size of a bistro table).RANGE AND PRICESTurbo technology and fuel injection for efficiency, coupled to downsizing for lighter weight and better economy are the main cards for both petrol and diesel choices, and the opening hand from $26,500 is the new 63kW/160Nm 1.2-litre TFSI petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission that was the main focus of our test drive. For $29,990 you have the choice of the mid-range petrol 90kW/200Nm 1.4-litre TFSI or the 66kW/230Nm 1.6-litre TDI diesel – both with manual transmissions or an S-tronic automatic transmission for an extra $2350. The higher-powered 136kW/250Nm 1.4 TFSI S-tronic Sport 136kW will set you back $42,500.Standard Attraction spec includes alloy wheels, all the creature comforts you’d expect, plus a six-speaker single CD Concert audio system linked to a 6.5-in display that retracts into the top of the dash. Moving up to Ambition gets you sports seats and suspension to keep them stable, fog lights and extra touches of leather and metal trim.SAFETYFront, side and curtain airbags, anti-skid brakes with all the electronic helpers you could want, stability control and hill-hold assist are soldiers in the campaign for a five-star safety rating.DRIVINGWith the light little 1.2-litre engine, the base model A1 Sportback is a nimble drive. You’re not going to get balls-out performance from it – for that, look to the top-notch Sport version – but despite an official 0-100km/h time of 11.9 seconds, it doesn’t feel sluggish.On the road it feels balanced and composed, with the steering direct and responsive. But it’s not meant to be a track day hero. Its trump card is touted the fuel economy (posted as a frugal 5.1L/100km, but bubbling up well beyond that if you try to push it for even short periods. But premium car buyers are probably not swayed by fuel costs. Yet.And truly, its key appeal is in offering an affordable step into the Audi range that is also practical. The looks and fit-out say young, hip, urban. The rear doors say you can be all that and a family too.VERDICTLike any other brand, Audi is looking to get the almost legendary ‘younger buyer’ into their showrooms and cars. As an overall package, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.2 TFSI is one of the best bids around.Audi A1 Sportback 1.2 TFSIPrice: From $26,500Warranty: Three years/unlimited kmService intervals: 12 months/15,000kmEngine: 1.2-litre TFSI turbo petrol, 63kW/130NmTransmission: Five-speed manual (1.2 TFSI) FWDThirst:  5.1L/100km, 118g/km CO2