Audi enters the posh supermini sector with the A1. We ask should MINI be worried?
Yes is the simple answer, as Audi is a brand that people know as a premium manufacturer. Audi, along with its German prestige car rivals Mercedes Benz and BMW, make desirable machines but why should the A1 succeed when their last small car the A2 failed?
The high-tec A2 was way over engineered and far too expensive both to build and to buy! A1 is no bargain starting at nineteen grand but in terms of what A1 offers over A2 it is a much more appealing proposition. Sitting on Audi’s version of the VW Polo platform, A1 is an economical car to build and should make downsizing from an A3 very easy.
Outside the A1 looks cute without being as striking as a MINI but it is certainly less goofy than a Mercedes A-Class and more conventional looking than the angular BMW 1 Series. In its sector A1 is closest in looks to the Alfa Romeo MiTo. Sadly for the Italian car the two premium superminis are miles apart in terms of build quality. The famous four-ring emblem sitting in the Audi grille is the main selling point. Without that coveted badge and big grille the car wouldn’t get as many glances as a Fiesta. The side and rear view aren’t overly exciting and offer only some design elements related to its siblings.
Inside, the Audi build quality, sturdy materials and layout is as familiar as an old friend. There is seating for four only. Up front you get decent leg and shoulder space for a small car but the rear is cosy, as is the boot (265 litres). So it is clear a VW Polo would be a more practical option but people will buy the A1 first and foremost for its badge. The car’s small footprint, low-ish price tag and of course its handiness about town are simply a bonus.
On the road my 1.4 litre turbo petrol test car came with sports suspension, ‘S-Tronic’ paddle shift gearbox and large alloys that made the ride firm. When pushed hard the car is very nimble and handles extremely well on the twisty bits, but the funny thing is that, unlike when you’re driving a MINI, the A1 doesn’t encourage you to press on.
Engines available include petrol units (1.2 litre, 85bhp band ‘A’ and a 1.4 litre, 125bhp band ‘B’) and a band ‘A’ 1.6 diesel with 105bhp. Being an Audi the options list is almost endless. One particular surprise is that bluetooth isn’t standard.
A1 gives Audi a product in a highly competitive sector. MINI has had almost a ten year head start on the A1 and it is hard to look beyond MINI in terms of driving fun, but maybe familiarity will go against it and favour the A1 in the coming years.
You can end up spending a ridiculous amount of money on an A1 (my test car was over €30K) so it’s worth remembering that A1 has some impressive rivals like the brilliant Citroen DS3, MINI and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Audis are always desirable but with the baby A1 my advice is to buy the entry model and no more.
Michael Sheridan
