New Audi A1: efficient, modern and sporty, that is how the German compact is defined

The compact car segment is undergoing constant revolution, which has made it one of the most sought-after segments at the moment, but to achieve this, car manufacturers have had to work hard. Audi has done the same with its bet and, after several years on the market and an undeniable success, the A1 has been renewed in grand style and arrives to set a new course. The compact with the four rings has changed a great deal but, at the same time, it has kept its essence intact, something it achieves with its distinctive character and impeccable personality.

The new Audi A1 has decided to break away from everything the German brand has established up to now, so it has adopted a new, much more groundbreaking design language, which we were able to see a few days ago thanks to the leak of its photographs. Audi has decided to give its smallest vehicles a more carefree and youthful touch, something we saw with the Q2 and which is also applied to this second generation of the A1, which arrives to compete very strongly.

It was in 2010 that the brand with the four rings decided to give the smaller compact segment a second chance, and the candidate chosen was the A1. After a few months on the market, Audi realised its strategy had worked wonderfully and the small German compact quickly established itself among the favourites in its category. Eight years later, Audi wants to carry on with that formula and the new A1 will be in charge of applying it properly.

Although the German compact remains faithful to its original form, we find important differences throughout its structure. On the one hand, we find a front end that sits squarely within the new design canons used by Audi, where a wide grille takes charge of capturing attention alongside new front lights that are much more modern and streamlined.

The rear has wanted to follow the same patterns, and we find a more prominent and, at the same time, much more imposing rear. This combines with rear lights with a unique design that has followed its own path but, without a doubt, the element that attracts us most is its new diffuser. This extends across the whole bumper until forming two fins that join towards the underbody, thus offering better aerodynamic performance.

However, the Audi A1 has wanted to renew not only its exterior but also its interior, where its new cosy and modern cabin invites you to spend several hours in it. Once accustomed to this new interior, we notice that the centre console has changed considerably, since it is now governed by an integrated 10.1-inch screen, which replaces the pop-up system. At the same time, the new Audi A1 incorporates the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster -10.25 inches-, which will allow its users to enjoy a multitude of functions.

Although the German brand has not yet provided us with exact details of the new A1’s engines, it has revealed the power outputs within which its powertrains will fall. On the one hand, we will find the most modest engine capable of delivering 95 CV, a figure that rises to 200 CV generated by a 2.0 TFSI that powers other models in the group such as the Volkswagen Polo GTi. However, Audi tends to show a great desire to go further and we are almost certain that the most radical versions of its new compact will arrive later and with a considerably higher power level.

The Audi A1 not only features a McPherson suspension and a compact torsion beam for the rear axle, but you can also opt for a Performance package. In it, larger brakes, adaptive adjustable suspension and the Audi drive select are added. This system lets us choose between different driving modes -auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual- which alter the character of the A1 depending on the type of driving we want to carry out. However, this is not the only novelty, since the second generation of the compact includes a magic button, which allows its users to alter the exhaust note.

At the same time, the German compact is wrapped in a broad technological arsenal, which is applied not only to its infotainment system but also to various safety measures. On the one hand, the new Audi A1 incorporates lane departure warning as standard, a system that will help the driver stay in lane up to speeds of 65 km/h. On the other hand, automatic emergency braking is another novelty in the second generation of the compact with the four rings and will help us avoid possible collisions. We should also highlight the new Audi parking system on the A1, which for the first time incorporates a reversing camera and numerous parking aids provided by ultrasonic sensors.

In this way, the German brand has wanted to remain established in the compact segment, something it achieves with a strong reception. The second generation of the Audi A1 arrives to break the mould and keep achieving success, something it can do with its fresh and current new styling, and with its mechanicals that are attractive as well as sporty.

Technical specifications of this car

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