Audi moves into hatchback market with A1

In the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Audi is set to unveil its eagerly anticipated new A1 hatchback. Hailed within the company as the ‘next big Audi’, the honchos at Ingolstadt is no doubt hedging a great deal on the success of this model. Putting their money where their mouths are, they have invested around €100 million to bring the company’s plant in Brussels up to scratch to manufacture the new car.

Measuring 3.95m(L) × 1.74m(W) × 1.42m(H), the A1 is much closer to MINI territory than to the 1-series, though the three-door Audi comfortably dwarfs all versions of the former except the Clubman. But not in engine capacity though. The A1 will be launched with four engine options – two petrol and two diesel – all with turbocharging and direct injection. Also lumped in as standard are auto start/stop and brake energy recuperation to ensure competitive fuel economy.

The petrol engines start with a 1,197cc 8-valve aluminium powerplant. A notable feature of the engine is that the engine block and cylinder head each has separate cooling loop, improving cooling efficiency. This entry level TFSI engine is good for 86hp and 160Nm. Paired with a good old-fashioned 5-speed manual, Audi claims 12.1 seconds from 0 to 100kph, and a top speed of 179kph, with combined FC at 5.1 litres/100km in the EU cycle.

Next comes the 16-valve 1,390cc engine powering the 1.4 TFSI. Its output is rated at 122hp and 200Nm, which is available from 1,500rpm all the way up to 4,000. Available with Audi’s 7-speed S-tronic twin clutch gearbox, the A1 1.4 TFSI does the century sprint in 9.1 seconds heading to 200kph flat out. The 6-speed stick shifter shares the same top speed, but takes an extra 0.1 second to reach 100kph. In the EU test cycle, the S-Tronic and 6M/T variants manage 5.1  and 5.4 litres/100km respectively.

The oil-burning variants are powered by a 1,598cc 16-valve TDI engine in two states of tune – 90hp and 105hp – both offered with 5-speed manual transmission as standard. The lower powered version twists out 250Nm of torque from 1,500rpm to 2,500rpm, doing 0-100kph in 12.2 seconds and has a top speed of 179kph. The claimed FC figure is astonishing, a remarkable 3.8 litres/100km.

Opting for the higher powered diesel variant brings an extra 20Nm of torque, also available in the same rev range. This one does the century sprint in 10.8 seconds and records a slightly higher top speed of 187kph. Fuel consumption penalty for this more powerful variant is also minimal, being just 0.1 litres/100km higher at 3.9.

Audi has made no mention of quattro variants of the A1, which would be seriously wicked, but a great amount of attention has been paid to the A1’s weight distribution. Depending on engine, the front MacPherson struts take only between 61 and 63% of the vehicle’s weight. This was achieved by migrating certain components, such as the battery, to the rear end of the vehicle.

More Pictures:

Exterior

Interior

KON

Picture Credits: Audi official release.