2012 Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport Sportback Review

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Quality: As you would expect from a company that prides itself on interior presentation, the A1 interior is fastidiously finished.
High-grade surfaces, plenty of soft-touch plastics, and a precise quality feel to the switchgear mean the A1 excels in the light car class, even against premium competitors.
Despite the tight panel gaps (and classy touches like the smooth-rolling eyeball vents), there was one niggle: a creaky driver's seat under acceleration suggested a re-torque of the seat bolts was needed
Comfort: The sports seats of the A1 sport, trimmed in leather and cloth for S-line models, feature moderate bolstering for the base and backrest.
A little more wriggle room for longer trips might be in order, but once the road starts winding they are just right: grippy enough for a firm hold without being too restrictive.
Those relegated to the rear will find the accommodation compact. Despite the three seat belts it's really only a two-place bench as the centre is quite a squeeze.
The marginally taller roofline of the Sportback over the three-door provides more generous headroom in the rear, but getting in and out is a little cramped.
Equipment: Standard equipment includes automatic lights and wipers, front fog lamps, Xenon headlamps, climate control, leather-clad steering wheel with multi-function controls, trip computer, sports seats, LED interior lighting, eight-speaker audio with SD card reader, CD MP3 playback and Bluetooth audio-streaming and phone connectivity and standard 17-inch alloy wheels.
Options fitted to our test car included S-line trim including a sports body kit, rear spoiler extention, partial leather seats, and optional 18-inch alloy wheels, a $2,900 package.
Storage: Cargo volume measures 270 litres, that's three litres more than the three-door version but 10 litres less than the Volkswagen Polo which with it shares its basic underpinnings.
The split seatbacks fold for additional space: a weekend away for two can be snugly packed into the boot, any more will involve filling the cabin.

ON THE ROAD

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Driveability: Until we see an S1, the A1 equipped with the Volkswagen group’s acclaimed 1.4 litre TFSI sits as the range topping engine.
With 136kW of power at 3600rpm backed by a thick 250Nm of torque from 1500rpm-4000rpm, it has no trouble powering the compact A1. Small it is, but it’s no slouch.
Place the little Audi on a twisty road through the hills, and it takes to it like a duck to water. It’s really lively, and will happily rev its head off.
Better still, the fluid seven-speed 'S Tronic' (DSG) gearbox is near impossible to fault once rolling, providing rapid almost imperceptible shifts. Moving off in first gear can still be a little fidgety, but this is a greatly improved DSG transmission.
For commuter duty the A1 holds up just as strongly. There’s still a brief pause from standstill, but the engine soon delivers strong and effortless acceleration away from the lights.
For lane changing vision is tricky over the shoulder and the omission of convex mirrors doesn’t help.
Refinement: Give the engine a minute to warm up and it’ll idle with nary a ripple. From inside the car there’s so little to feel or hear that it feels like the inside of a much larger, more expensive luxury car.
Wind and tyre noise is well damped, - it’s a serene interior for a small car - the only real noise comes from the engine note selectively piped into the cabin.
Suspension: Audi employs a MacPherson strut front suspension matched to a torsion beam rear axle.
Sport specification means it’s firmer and lower than others from the A1 stable. But despite the sporting leanings, the ride is fine on variable city streets, and grippy and direct out of town - firm but not jarring.
Braking: At first stab the brakes can feel a little eager, but pedal feel is good and you’ll soon adapt to it.
With four-wheel disc brakes and vented front rotors, there’s plenty of stopping power for the light and nimble A1 - in wet and dry conditions.

SAFETY

• ANCAP rating: 5-Stars

Safety features: Front, side and curtain airbags, load-limiting front seatbelts with front and rear pretensioners, front active headrests, Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, reverse parking sensors

WARRANTY AND SERVICING

Warranty: Three years, unlimited kilometres with three years roadside assist.
Service costs: Servicing costs vary. Consult your local Audi dealer before purchasing.

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• The nimble A1 offers chic, stylish sophistication in a right-sized city package.

For the price premium over the equivalent Polo GTI, you get Audi exclusivity, a better ride and one of the smartest small-car interiors in the business.
Importantly, it comes with enough of the finer things - plus that elusive sense of quality - to set it a little apart from the light car pack
The only question-mark we’d place over the A1 is on the grounds of value; with little change from $45k, it’s not for everyone.
But you’ll enjoy the car, and the lingering looks you’ll get from MINI owners in the office car park.