The Audi A1 is a supermini or B-segment class car produced by the German manufacturer since 2010, currently in its second generation. Designed initially as a 3-door hatchback, it later expanded to include a 5-door hatchback option called Sportback. It is based on VW platforms, with a front-engine, front-wheel or all-wheel-drive layout.

The First Generation (2010-2018)

At the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Audi revealed the concept for Audi A1 called metro project quattro, which was later renamed to A1 Project Quattro. The A1 Sportback concept is a variant of the A1 Project Quattro designed as a 5-door hatchback. In 2015, it received a facelift, which mostly featured cosmetic changes. 

There are three trim levels of A1, that is, SE, Sport and S line. Aside from these main trims, it was also available in a significant number of limited editions. 

Trim Features

Both the Attraction and Ambition models were available from 2010 to 2015 and featured the following equipment:

Dual Front Airbags Package, Anti-lock Braking, Air Conditioning, 16 Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, Central Locking Remote Control, Cloth Trim, Dusk Sensing Headlights, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock, Electronic Stability Program, Fog Lights - Front, Head Airbags, Engine Immobiliser, Leather Steering Wheel, Power Mirrors With Indicators, Power Steering, Power Windows Front, Radio CD with 8 Speakers, Rear Spoiler, Rain Sensing Wipers, Seatbelts - Pretensioners Front Seats, Side Front Airbags, Sport Seats, Sports Suspension, Trip Computer, Traction Control System

The Sport trim level was available in 2011 and from 2014 to 2018, adding the following:

Adjustable Steering Wheel (Tilt and Telescopic), Hill Holder, Automatic Air Con/Climate Control, 17 Inch Alloy Wheels, Daytime Running Lights-LED, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Parking Distance Control Rear and Xenon Headlights 

With the 2015 facelift, more features had been added as standard, such as 12-volt power outlet, AUX/USB input socket, body-colored exterior mirrors, multifunction control screen and steering wheel, mobile phone connectivity, seatbelts-lap sash for all seats and voice recognition system.

The S Line was also introduced in 2018, which added the following:

Automatic Air Con/Climate Control, Ambient Interior Lighting, Alloy Sports Pedals, 17 Inch Alloy Wheels, Body Kit, Daytime Running Lights - LED, Fog Lights - Front, Hard Disk Drive (Built-in), Hill Holder, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Parking Distance Control Rear, Radio CD with 10 Speakers, Satellite Navigation, Sport Seats, Sports Suspension, Xenon Headlights

Engine Options

In Australia, the A1 was available in the following engine choices: 

• 1.4 TFSI Ambition or Attraction, 1.4L petrol engine (90kW and 200 Nm), coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed automatic transmission
• 1.4 TFSI Sport, 1.4L petrol engine producing 136kW and 250 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
• 1.6 TDI Ambition, 1.6L diesel engine producing 66kW and 230 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. 
• 1.2 TFSI Attraction, 1.2L petrol engine producing 63kW and 160 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox
• 1.4 TFSI Ambition Comp. Kit LE, 1.4L petrol engine producing 90kW and 200 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
• 1.0 TFSI, 1.0L petrol engine producing 70kW and 160 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission 
• 1.8 TFSI S Line, 1.8L petrol engine producing 141kW and 250 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission 

The Euro NCAP tested the A1 and gave it five stars in overall safety with 90% and 32 points in adult occupant, 79% and 39 points in child occupant, 49% and 18 points in pedestrian, and 86% and 6 points in safety assist. 

The Second Generation (2018-present)

Revealed in the middle of 2018, the second generation of the A1 comes only in a 5-door hatchback variant, and it is based on the VW Group MQB-A0 which it shares with VW Polo and Seat Ibiza. It is assembled in SEAT’s factory in Martorell, Spain. It is praised for its comfortable cabin and fuel economy. At the same time, it received criticisms for its high price tag and lack of a diesel option.

Beside the first-generation trim levels, such as SE, Sport, and S line, there are three new S Line trims, which include S Line Competition, S Line Contrast Edition and S Line Style Edition.

Both S and S Line versions include the following equipment: 

Attention Assist, Dual Front Airbags Package, Anti-lock Braking, Air Conditioning, Apple CarPlay, Adjustable Driver Seat - Manual, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adjustable Passenger Seat - Manual, Audi Pre-sense, Adjustable Speed Limiter, Anti-Slip Regulation, Android Auto, 16 Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Bluetooth Connectivity, Curtain Airbags, Cruise Control Intelligent/Active, Cloth Headlining, Cloth Trim, Cyclist Recognition, Digital Audio Broadcast Radio +, Digital Instrument Cluster, Dusk Sensing Headlights, Daytime Running Lights, Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock, Electronic Data Recorder, Electronic Stability Control, Emergency Stop Signal, Extra USB Socket/s, First-Aid Kit, Forward Collision Warning, Floor Mats - Front & Rear, Head Airbags (side/front and second-row seats), Halogen Headlights

Optional features include:

Four-Wheel Steer, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Aluminium Sill Guards Special, Audi Connect, Convenience Key, Cornering Lamps, Door Handle Courtesy Lights, Dynamic Light Assist, Driver Mode Selection, Exterior Mirror - Reverse Tilt on Passenger Side, Extended Storage

Sportback version adds: 

12 Volt Power Outlet, Antenna-Roof-mounted Bee-sting type, Adjustable Steering Wheel-Tilt and Telescopic, Ambient Temperature Display, AUX/USB Input Socket, 15 Inch Alloy Wheels, Body-colored Exterior Mirrors, Cargo Tie-Down Hooks/Rings, Central Locking Remote Control, High Mounted Rear Stop Light, Engine Immobiliser, Leather Steering Wheel, Memory Card Reader, Multi-Function Control Screen, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, MP3 Compatible Audio/CD Player, Map/Reading Lights - Front, Power Mirrors With Indicators, Power Steering, Power Windows, Radio CD with 8 Speakers, Rear Spoiler, Rain Sensing Wipers, Rear Wiper/Washer, Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats, Seatbelts - Pretensioners Front Seats, Side Front AirBags, Split Fold Rear Seat, Spare Wheel - Space Saver/Temporary, Trip Computer, Traction Control System, Voice Recognition System

The powertrain options available in Australia include three engine options with a total of four variants hooked up to either of two transmission options, 5-speed and 6-speed manual gearbox as well as 6-speed and 7-speed  S Tronic automatic transmission. 

• 30 TFSI S TRONIC, 1.0L petrol engine producing 85kW and 200 Nm of torque
• 35 TFSI S TRONIC, 1.5L petrol engine producing 110kW and 250 Nm of torque
• 40 TFSI S LINE S TRONIC, 2.0L petrol engine producing 147kW and 320 Nm of torque
• Sportback 1.0 TFSI, 1.0L petrol engine producing 70kW and 160 Nm of torque paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission 

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Author: Andrijana Pavlovic