With two engine variants available and a S$127k starting price, the compact A1 proves to be bigger than expected, with style to boot.
Audi yesterday launched its new three door premium hatchback stylishly and appropriately at Singapore’s hottest nightspot, Zouk. In his introduction to the A1, Managing Director of Audi Singapore, Reinhold Carl said, “The A1 is truly the next big Audi. Urban living demands a compact city car like the A1 that still features the quality and high-tech features of a ‘full-size’ Audi. The A1 is also a very emotional car with its sophisticated design, stylish interior and dazzling array of customising possibilities that provide young Singaporeans with the freedom to express their personal style and have fun at the same time.”
Winner of several prestigious automotive awards around the world, the A1 packs all the distinctively Audi elements in a small package measuring no longer than 3.95 metres in length. The encircling shoulder line, the front end with a dominating single-frame grille, distinctive roof arch, coupé-like C-pillars and large wheel arches are among its defining style elements.
The interior of the Audi A1 is spacious, bright and airy. As seen in the photos here, the instrument panel resembles an airplane wing, with its four round air vents reminiscent of jet engines. The clean and clear control layout is another plus point. One of the main features of the new Audi A1 is the wide range of customisation options available. Whether it is coloured air vents, LED interior lights or seat covers in expressive tones, the high level of equipment offers countless opportunities for matching the A1 to the driver’s own personal style. There is even a variety of paint finishes to choose from for the roof arch.
The top of the line system option for the A1 is the MMI navigation plus, a media centre that sets new standards in the compact segment that was first seen in Audi’s new A8 flagship. The system includes a monitor that folds out from the instrument panel, a slick control unit and MMI logic. It can store 20 GB of music, includes two SDHC card readers, a Bluetooth interface and the Audi music interface (AMI) to connect modern mobile media players easily and conveniently.
The Audi A1 in Singapore comes standard with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that shifts gears extremely quickly, comfortably and with no perceptible interruption to the flow of power. It can be operated either as an automatic or manually with steering wheel shift paddles that are also available as an option, providing tremendous fun driving and further reducing fuel consumption. The car also includes Audi’s standard ESP stabilisation programme with electronic limited slip differential, making the handling even more precise while enhancing driving safety.
A highly efficient 1.4 TFSI engine that generates 122 bhp and a peak torque of 200 Nm from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm powers the new Audi A1. It goes from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds, with top speed rated at 203 km/h.
Coming this May is the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI with the formidable dual-charged 1.4 TFSI. This engine, that combines a supercharger with a turbocharger, produces an impressive 185 bhp and 250 Nm of torque and propels the A1 1.4 TFSI from 0 to 100km in just 6.9 seconds, and will carry on to its 227km/h top speed. This engine is also designed for high efficiency, with the supercharger springing into action between 1,500 and 2,400 rpm to strengthen responsiveness in the lower end of the rev range and enabling the use of a large turbocharger that comes in at around 3,500 rpm. This also translates to an excellent average fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of only 139 g/km.
