- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.0T, 3 cyl.
- Engine Power
70kW, 160Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 4.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Driven: the three-cylinder Audi
Walking through any one of Audi Australia's sprawling metropolitan dealerships is usually a feast for the automotive senses. Typically, it is where petrol-powered juggernauts like the R8 supercar and RS7 Sportback glean fancifully under showroom lights, alongside the modern bastion of sledgehammer sedans the German marque is traditionally famous for.
However, today our ride at the Audi Centre in Brisbane sits almost enigmatically in the corner, unadorned in RS badging.
It is the Audi A1, the smallest member of the German brand's arsenal. And unlike any of those headlining models mentioned, this variant is totally unique to the brand in that it is powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
Whereas traditional Audis battle fellow German heavyweights BMW and Mercedes-Benz for bragging rights, this model is heavily aimed at first-time prestige buyers, thrusted among like-minded offerings such as the three-cylinder Mini Cooper. It starts from a relatively affordable $26,900 (plus on-road costs), forming a new basis for an otherwise lightly changed A1 range that tops out at a $39,900.
But first, back to that engine…
Weighing only 88kg thanks to a cast aluminium crankcase and myriad other lightweight components, the turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder is also found in the Volkswagen Polo, but produces a slightly more powerful 70kW and 160Nm of torque in A1 guise.
To a purist, the start up might be perceived as a non-event. Whereas larger Audis roar to life with a menacing bark, the A1 nonchalantly fires its three cylinders with a muted thrum. Importantly for the uninitiated, the three-pot is quiet and refined.
The engine is a charming jigger in daily conveyance, working in unison with its optional seven-speed automatic transmission (manual not tested) for seamless progress between intersections and up to highway speeds. That muted three-cylinder thrum is faintly audible from the driver's seat at speed, only really becoming perceptible when pushed; at which point it is fighting for airwaves with excessive road noise and a delightful turbocharger whistle.
Officially, the triple will reach 100km/h in 11.1 seconds and travel onwards to a top speed of 186km/h. Reaching peak power and torque outputs from 5000rpm and 1500rpm respectively, it cannot emulate the effortless surge of a larger capacity unit, and is prone to some turbo lag and hesitation when asked to muster its energy all at once. Urgent applications of the accelerator also provoke some scrambling from the front 15-inch tyres, bogging down the engine momentarily as stability control briefly intervenes. An electronic differential lock ensures drive is equally apportioned to both front wheels.
Overall, the engine feels like the product of thorough testing and development and a notable step up in refinement from like-minded powertrains found in more mainstream products. That it sips on a claimed 4.4L/100km (we easily managed mid-fives) strengthens this sentiment.
Audi will offer a choice of two other petrol engines in the A1 range for 2015: a 1.4-litre four-cylinder that makes 92kW and 200Nm and a 1.8-litre four-cylinder that produces a hot hatch-like 141kW and 250Nm, the latter accelerating to 100km/h from rest in 6.9 seconds. The caveat is that those engines command between $27,250 and a stifling $39,900 for the privilege.
Given the badge on the nose of the A1, there are no surprises that it feels equally resolved dynamically during a 500km jaunt through Brisbane's outlying mountain roads. Tipping the scales at roughly 1100kg, it is a fun and character-filled machine over quick changes in direction, though its compact dimensions mean it's not hard to upset the cabin atmosphere over deep and fast road undulations. Most imperfections are dealt with in an orderly fashion though sharper hits tend to thud through the A1's 3.79-metre long shell.
When really pushed, the diminutive A1 channels some of the sporty qualities that its S1 sibling has struck critical acclaim with. There is an inherent playfulness present when thrown into a corner, with a decent whiff of controllable oversteer signalling a healthy balance between the front and rear axles. The A1 does so while feeling poised, shaking off harsh mid-corner bumps gracefully and restraining body roll to a minimum.
A 10.6 metre turning circle endows the A1 with excellent manoeuvreability through tight spaces on a city leg, though its small mirrors can be difficult to negotiate.
New electromechanical steering, while accurate, lacks the bite and pin-pointedness of Audi's more expensive models during sporty driving, but is nonetheless well resolved.
Even for a base model entry car, the three-cylinder A1 feels well put together. There are telltale omissions which reflect its starting price, like the lack of vanity mirror lights and cheaper plastics and switchgear, but it hardly feels built to a budget.
The standard cloth seats are soft and ultra supportive and the door trims and dashboard panels fit together seamlessly, as you'd expect. The A1 feels a generation behind some of its siblings such as the larger A3 in cabin presentation, with plain plastics and a dated flip-open screen that resides atop the dashboard.
Rear room is not a strong point. Anyone taller than six feet might need a degree in contortion, such is the restrictive head room, shoulder room and slightly more favourable leg room. Add to that a lack of rear air vents, limited storage and a 270-litre boot and you get an idea of the A1's intended buyer.
Equipment levels aren't all that generous either. A reversing camera is not available whatsoever, while satellite navigation and Xenon headlights are found in an extensive 'options' catalogue. What you do get standard for the circa $27,000 price tag is rear parking sensors, 6.5-inch colour display screen, Bluetooth and a five-star safety rating courtesy of six airbags and the latest passive safety functions.
A three-cylinder engine is a positive addition for the A1. Not only does it bring a more fitting starting price for the diminutive five door, but it honours the same hallmarks as Audi's better known luxury cars – just on a smaller scale.
2015 Audi A1
On sale: June
Price: $26,900-$39,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engines: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder; 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder; 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 70kW at 5000rpm; 92kW at 5000rpm; 140kW at 5400rpm
Torque: 140Nm at 1500rpm; 200Nm at 1400rpm; 250Nm at 1250rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual/Seven-speed automatic
Fuel use: 4.4L/100km; 4.9L/100km; 5.6L/100km