Taking styling cues from the Audi Ur-quattro and Sport quattro the second generation A1 Sportback is 56 mm longer than before, adding a ‘gold star’ to its existing street cred.
The new-generation model is only 1,41 metres in height and the wide track and short overhangs provide for a taut, sporty look. The wide, low-placed single frame grille and the side air inlets dominate the distinctive front. Below the edge of the hood are three flat slits – a homage to the Sport quattro, the brand’s rally icon from 1984.
The daytime running light graphics of the full-LED lights (standard on 35 and 40 TFSI) echo the wing shapes from sailing, known as hydrofoils. The design of the shutters for the main light also draws inspiration from sailing.
The Launch Edition model (known as Edition 1), based on the S line equipment line in Python Yellow paint colour and available from market launch, is particularly distinctive. It showcases the design language of the A1 with numerous contrasts. Large 18-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels and black contrasting roof and exterior mirror housings, set powerful accents to create a sporty look.
Borrowing from the legendary Audi Sport quattro, the LED headlights and LED rear lights are dark-tinted, while the Audi rings in the Single frame and the model designation on the back are black, emphasising an increased athletic and trendy appeal.
Depending on the equipment line – Standard, Advanced or S line – the attachments on the exterior are available in various configurations. With S line equipment, Audi has emphasized the character with larger air inlets, additional sill trims, an elongated slit centrally below the hood with two fins and the larger rear wing. The top-of-the-line engine (Audi A1 45 TFSI) is also recognizable with its striking twin tailpipes.
Audi is additionally affording customers numerous possibilities to select colours and materials accordingly with the Black Styling Package and Contrast Package. The Black Styling Package includes the radiator grille in mate black; grille frame; front air inlet frame; rear diffuser and front spoiler, all in high gloss black. The Contrast Package offers a contrasting roof dome; exterior mirror housing; front spoiler lip and side skirts in Mythos Black Metallic or Manhattan Grey Metallic.
Various seat and upholstery options are available from standard cloth variations to other sport variants in cloth or leather/leatherette combination. Decorative inlays and accents in the interior of the vehicle provide additional cockpit design enhancements. The inlays are available in black (standard) or the optional slate grey colour. Accents come standard in black with optional colours in silver, yellow and mint.
The new A1 Sportback is much more spacious – making life much more comfortable for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. Despite the compact exterior dimensions and the sporty roofline, adults in the rear seats still enjoy plenty of head and legroom.
Luggage capacity has increased by 65 litres. Normal capacity is 335 litres; with the rear seats folded down, this increases to 1,090 litres. Loading sill height is a comfortably low 67 centimetres.
Even the basic version comes standard with a digital instrument cluster with a high-resolution 8,8-inch display. The optional Audi virtual cockpit with an extended range of functions presents comprehensive and diverse information such as animated navigation maps and graphics of some driver assistance systems in the driver’s direct field of vision.
The MMI radio plus comes as standard – it can be operated via the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel and the display in the fully digital instrument cluster. In the top configuration, MMI navigation plus offers a 10,1-inch MMI touchscreen, which blends seamlessly into the black glass-look area. As with a smartphone, all commands are via touch input. The latest generation of voice control further improves the dialog between driver and car.
The optional B&O music system drives 11 speakers with an output of 560 watts. Its 3D effect uses the windshield as a reflecting surface.
Customers looking to upgrade their technology on the vehicle are easily able to specify the Technology Package, which contains the Audi Virtual Cockpit; Audi Smartphone Interface and Audi Sound System for R9,900.
There is a choice of three petrol engines with outputs ranging from 85 kW to 147 kW. Turbo-charging, direct injection and a particulate filter are standard.
Audi is making a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission available for the 1,0-litre and 1,5-litre engines, while the is the top-of-the-range, 2,0-litre engine gets a six-speed S tronic transmission.
The front suspension is a McPherson construction with a compact, lightweight torsion beam axle used at the rear.
Audi South Africa has introduced a new package concept which will be adopted for all new models to be launched. The concept aims to reduce complexity when ordering a new vehicle, considering that a customer is generally faced with a long list of options from which to choose.
It classifies key options according to a specific customer need and offers a straightforward value proposition that is easy for a customer to understand. These packages have been defined by a combination of customer preferences as well as strategic options which aim to highlight Audi’s uniqueness or technology enhancements.
The packages include:
• Comfort
• Technology
• Sport
• Lights (for 30 TFSI only)
• S line interior
Within each package structure is a few options suited to the particular proposition. For example, the Technology package includes Audi virtual cockpit; Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system.
Pricing
The Audi A1 range is priced as follows, along with the standard Audi Freeway plan (5 year / 100 000 km) and inclusive of all taxes:
• Audi A1 30 TFSI S tronic at R 359,900
• Audi A1 30 TFSI Advanced S tronic at R 373,900
• Audi A1 30 TFSI S line S tronic at R 388,900
• Audi A1 35 TFSI S tronic at R 429,900
• Audi A1 35 TFSI Advanced S tronic at R 443,900
• Audi A1 35 TFSI S line S tronic at R 458,900
• Audi A1 40 TFSI S line S tronic at R 488,000
