- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.4T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
90kW, 200Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 5.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2011)
2013 Audi A1 Sportback – Quick drive review
From $35,500 plus on-roads
Vitals 1.4-litre turbocharged 4-cyl petrol, 90kW/200Nm, 7-speed automatic, 5.3L/100km combined and 122g/km CO2, FWD
What is it?
Audi’s diminutive A1 Sportback with bigger wheels and some cosmetic bling.
What isn't it?
A high-performance racer; the S Line is still fitted with the same 1.4-litre petrol engine as standard, sprinting from 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds.
What does it say about me?
I’m one of the customers who apparently demanded Audi add some additional flair to my prestige city car.
Who else is buying it?
The select 199 other buyers who grabbed hold of the limited-run S Line models.
What colours does it come in?
There are four to choose from: Glacier White, Ice Silver, Misano Red and Phantom Black.
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It if were a celebrity; who would it be?
Kim Kardashian: basically the same genes as the rest of the family, but with some cosmetic enhancements.
Why would I buy it?
Because I like the S Line exterior package usually only available on the more powerful Sport model, but I don’t require the extra power.
Will it let me down?
Audis are fairly well sorted machines, and the A1’s 7-speed DSG was not affected by recent reliability issues from within the Volkswagen group.
Does it cost too much?
At $35,500, the A1 Sportback is a fairly expensive proposition for a small car. Though, according to Audi, the $3250 premium you pay for it over the regular A1 actually represents $8000 in value.
Is it safe?
It’s got a five-star ANCAP rating and has the usual assortment of safety equipment including traction control, stability control and six airbags.
Will it get me noticed?
Only by Audi trainspotters. The A1 S Line Competition has a mean stance on the road, but it’s unlikely to attract any wolf whistles.
Any gadgets I can brag about?
Most of the enhancements are purely for looks, and there’s a few of them, including 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, LED tail lights, black exterior styling package, contrasting roof and roof arches and interior air vents in body colour. There’s also a rear parking system included.
How's the cabin ambience?
Not surprisingly, the A1’s cabin is a nice, contemporary place to be. There’s an eclectic mix of quality materials and everything is well pieced together.
What about rear vision?
It’s certainly not the car’s strong point. The tiny rear mirrors leave gaping blind spots and reflect only a small area of space, while the general shape of the rear end doesn’t allow a lot of visibility through the rear window.
Does it go?
There’s enough zip to meander through city traffic and up to highway speeds with relative ease. The big bugbear is taking off, with the stop/start system, DSG gearbox and hillhold function compounding on one another and causing significant hesitation. It can be a little lurchy between gears, too.
Does it like corners?
The S Line is pretty poised on apexes. The steering is well- weighted and accurate and the ride is equally sporty.
What about bumps?
Despite its performance bias, the A1 is still accommodating enough for daily driving. It relays road surface conditions back into the chassis without being too jarring.
What about service stations?
With a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.3L/100km, visits to the local servo should be few and far between in the A1. We saw fuel consumption closer to 7.0L/100km.
Would you buy one?
Probably not. While the A1 S-Tronic offers some extra kit over the base model, I’d rather spend an extra $100 (plus on-roads) on the larger, more accommodating A3 1.4 TFSI, which starts at $35,600.
What else should I consider?
The most obvious alternative away from the A1 is the Volkswagen Polo. Both cars share the same underpinnings and, while the Audi badge is arguably more inherently prestige, the Polo pulls all the same tricks for much less.
The spin
An offer that packs a big punch, with high value, at a price premium that is as diminutive as the A1 Sportback itself.
The translation
Here at Audi, we’ve become pretty savvy with limited editions and sporty packs. Here’s our latest attempt for the A1 city car