6 MOTORS
Friday, October 29, 2010
★★★★
Motors
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by CHRIS RUSSON
O
NLY Audi can claim its latest offering is A1 from tip to toe. That’s what it says on the badge and with a seemingly endless line up, perhaps it’s a fitting description for its fortunes. In the past couple of years the German car maker has increased its range to no less than 35 models - from the £100,000 R8 supercar to the A3 hatch, a rival to the Ford Focus. Now it is extending horizons to territories new and come November 13 the A1 will become the baby of its fleet. Priced from £13,420 the A1 is the cheapest Audi since the unconventional A2 came on the scene in the 1990s. While the A2 never really hit the mark – its quirky looks not to British tastes – the A1 is set to fare better. Audi says it wants to bring big car quality to the small car market and the A1 comes with plenty of goodies. So do many of its rivals such as the MINI, Citroen’s DS3 – and even the Ford Fiesta. Upmarket features being used on the A1 include the likes of a hard disk sat nav and entertainment suite from the flagship A8 saloon – but that will add the best part of £2,000 to the A1’s price. In fact it is fairly easy to kit out the newcomer to £20,000 and beyond. Going for the higher end of the market is an Audi strength and the A1 is up to the task. It may be priced to make Audi ownership available to a wider audience but its real appeal is to those with money to spend. Certainly the A1 looks the part – squat, sporty and with a touch of class. The roof frame can be had in
TOUCH OF CLASS: The interior of the Audi A1 (above) different colours emphasising the car’s style and, depending on body colour, looks best in silver or black. The interior can be jazzed up with coloured air vent cowls and matching upholstery patterns. While the effect is snazzy the array of personalised features is a little more straightforward than is offered by MINI or Citroen. It is simple and functional inside with a good sized centre console and a wide feel to the facia. The A1 is available only as a three door, four seater. Room in the back is OK but not too generous and the boot is 270 litres – smaller than a Fiesta – although more space is available by folding the rear seats. Three engines and three trims will be available and all versions of the A1 have CO2 emissions below 130g/km making them tax free in the first year. The pick of the bunch is a 1.6-litre diesel which can average a remarkable 70mpg with enough performance to keep anyone happy. Top speed is 118mph, 0 to 60 takes 10 seconds and CO2 is down to 105g/km. Audi is also using 1.2 and 1.4-litre
petrol engines in the A1 and both are equally acceptable but not quite as green with mpg in the low 50s. As a five speed manual the diesel is priced from £14,480 in basic SE trim or £17,865 in top specification S line finish where 17-inch alloys, LED interior lighting and sports suspension are standard. On the road the A1 has a balanced ride and although not as sporty to drive as a MINI or a DS3 it has an impressive feel. Noise suppression in the diesel is very effective, especially at motorway speeds and if anything it is quieter inside than the petrol versions. Service plans have become increasingly important to little car buyers since MINI introduced its tender, loving care scheme and Audi is following suit offering a five year, 50,000 mile scheme for £250 on the A1. It is not quite as generous, mainly covering oil and brake fluid, but helps keep ownership costs down. Matched to anticipated high resale values the A1 looks like a good bet for a new generation of Audi owners.