To be launched in early 2012, Audi hopes that the A1 Sportback builds on the success of the three-door A1.
The Audi A1 Sportback, which will be rolling into showrooms in early 2012, is the five-door compact Audi for a young, urban public. The close relationship with its three-door sister model is evident in the design, the structure of the lightweight body and the dimensions of the new model, which measures 3.95 m in length. It is several millimeters taller and thus offers more space in the rear seats. The Audi A1 Sportback comes standard with four seats. A fifth seat is available on request at no extra charge (that sounds rather familiar).
Buyers can choose between three TFSI gasoline and three TDI diesel engines. The base engine is the 86 hp 1.2 TFSI followed by the 122 hp and finally, the top tier 185 hp 1.4-liter TFSI engine. The most powerful option goes from 0-100 km/h in 7.0 seconds and tops out at 227 km/h. Diesel engine options are: a 90 hp or 105 hp 1.6-liter engine and a 143 hp 2.0 TDI.
Audi offers the seven-speed S tronic as an option with the 1.4 TFSI with 122 hp and 1.6 TDI with 90 hp. It comes standard with the top TFSI model with 185 hp. The dual-clutch transmission shifts comfortably, extremely quickly and with no perceptible interruption to the flow of power. The two clutches do not need a separate oil supply, making the S tronic even more efficient.The driver can let the seven-speed S tronic, which also includes a hill hold assist, shift automatically or control it manually. Shift paddles on the steering wheel are available as an option. The manual transmissions are offered in a five-speed or six-speed guise depending on the engine.
The A1 Sportback comes standard with four seats; a fifth seat is optional. They provide a sportily low seating position and good support. Headroom and shoulder room have each been increased roughly one centimetre compared with the three-door sister model. All four doors offer ample storage. Cup holders and a 12V outlet are standard, with a storage package available as an option.
The luggage compartment of the A1 Sportback has a capacity of 270 litres. Folding down the split rear seat increases this to 920 litres. The L-shaped, deeply retractable head restraints do not have to be removed to do this. The loading lip is a comfortably low 66 centimetres. The optional luggage compartment package makes loading even more practical, with usefully divided storage compartments under the loading floor and other amenities.
The base Audi A1 Sportback will have manual air conditioning, a split rear seat, a radio remote-controlled central locking system, power-adjustable side mirrors, power windows, the chorus radio and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Safety equipment comprises two front airbags, two thorax/pelvic side airbags and two head airbags. Belt force limiters, the integral Audi headrest system and Isofix anchor points for child safety seats in the rear round out the program.
The posh-er Ambition line are 16-inch alloy wheels, high-gloss exhaust tailpipes and fog lights. The sport seats include lumbar supports, and the passenger seat is also height-adjustable. The shift lever, the steering wheel and the handbrake lever are covered in leather; some areas of the cabin are highlighted with aluminum-look trim and the air vents are in high-gloss black. The driver information system includes the on-board computer with efficiency program and gear-change indicator (with manual transmission). Special seat upholstery and interior color choices round out the Ambition line.
Optional equipment include the xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights, the high-beam assistant, the light and rain sensor, the panoramic sunroof, the convenience key, the alarm system, two different parking system versions and cruise control, to name a few. Audi also offers deluxe automatic air conditioning, tinted windows, heated front seats and a leather multifunction sport steering wheel, which can also be equipped with shift paddles for the S tronic.
The A1 can be specced with the MMI navigation plus audio system which includes a large hard disk, the MMI operating principle, a DVD drive and powerful voice control. The 6.5-inch monitor, which folds out from the instrument panel, displays three-dimensional graphics in high resolution. Examples of the additional high-end complementary features available include a digital audio tuner and the 465-watt Bose surround sound system with 14 speakers. The front woofers are illuminated with LEDs. Bluetooth and wired interfaces are available for cellular phones and external players.
Another novelty in the segment is the Bluetooth online car phone that brings Audi connect, the new online services from Audi, to the A1 Sportback. These include navigation with images from Google Earth and Google Street View, specially prepared news, weather and travel information, web radio and voice-controlled POI search. A WLAN hotspot connects mobile devices on board to the Internet. Audi traffic information online provides a precise and up-to-the-minute picture of traffic on the chosen route.