New Audi A1: bigger and more high-tech than ever

Redacción 20 June 2018 5 min.

New Audi A1: bigger and more high-tech than ever

The new Audi A1 comes with a more sporty and high-tech approach than its predecessor. Its official launch will take place in autumn 2018.

The second generation of the Audi A1 has been unveiled and is set to take over from the current version, a model that has been on the market since 2010. New times are coming, and the Audi A1 is ready to adapt. The renewed compact offers the cutting-edge technology one would expect from a model this youthful. The youngest of the four rings is sportier and longer than before. The new Audi A1 will go on sale in the European market in autumn this year.

Exterior design: a nod to the Audi Sport quattro of the 1980s

The design of this new Audi A1 has changed, and a lot. To begin with, the front end now has a much more sporty look, with a lower Audi Singleframe grille, larger side air intakes and newly designed LED lights at both the front and rear. One of the most distinctive changes on this new A1 is found at the lower edge of the bonnet, where three flat slits now sit, paying homage to the Audi Sport quattro of 1984, one of the most iconic cars in rally history. The side of the car also recalls the Audi quattro and Sport quattro of the 1980s.

The new A1 Sportback is available in ten body colours. Optionally, the car can be ordered with several contrasting elements: the roof can be finished in a different colour from the body, as can the exterior mirrors, the outer lips of the front spoiler and the side sills.

With the S line equipment, the car’s sporty character takes on a higher level and includes elements such as larger air intakes, accentuated side sills, an elongated bonnet recess and a larger roof-mounted rear spoiler. The sportiest trim in the range is also distinguished by a striking twin exhaust outlet.

Bodywork: 56 mm longer and more rigid

The new Audi A1 Sportback has grown in length: it now measures 4.03 metres long (56 mm more than its predecessor). In addition, its bodywork includes many hot-formed steel components, which results in a more rigid body that ensures more dynamic and precise handling, as well as improved sound insulation on board the car.

Sporty chassis

The second generation of the Audi A1 features a dynamic chassis. The McPherson front suspension is complemented by the rear torsion beam axle. In addition to the standard suspension, the compact from the four rings offers an optional, sportier and firmer damping.

The base version of the new Audi A1 comes with red brake calipers. Meanwhile, with the “Performance” dynamic package, the compact gains larger brake discs, adaptive suspension, the Audi drive select system (which lets you choose four different driving modes: auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual) and a system to optimise exhaust sound. The new Audi A1 wheels are available with rims from 15 to 18 inches.

Turbo petrol engines with up to 200 CV

The German compact offers a range of petrol engines with outputs ranging from 95 CV to 200 CV. All units feature a turbocharger, direct injection and a particulate filter. These engines can be paired with a manual gearbox or an S tronic automatic dual-clutch transmission with seven gears. The exception to the rule is the top model in the range, whose six-speed S tronic transmission is exclusive to this version.

Sporty and high-tech interior

The new Audi A1 incorporates some technologies typical of far higher segments. These include systems such as the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation, which features a high-resolution 10.25-inch screen, the ambient lighting package and the Bang & Olufsen sound system with 11 speakers and 560 watts. All of these systems are optional, but the Audi A1 also offers an impressive standard technology specification: latest-generation voice control, multifunction steering wheel, MMI infotainment system.

On the other hand, the 56 mm of extra length compared with its predecessor is noticeable inside the cabin, where there are slightly roomier rear seats (despite the low roofline) and boot capacity that has increased by 65 litres (to 335 litres). With the rear seatbacks folded down, boot capacity increases to 1,090 litres.

More driver assistance systems than ever

If in the previous section we noted that the new A1 incorporates technology typical of higher segments, in this section we can say exactly the same. The German compact has received some of the most cutting-edge driver assistance systems on the market: