Audi reveals facelifted A1 17 | 11 | 2014
AUDI HAS UNVEILED a range of subtle styling tweaks for both the A1 and A1 Sportback four years after they were first introduced. The models — on sale across Scotland now — will be delivered to customers in April 2015.
Pricing for the facelifted model starts at £14,315 for the new 1.0-litre TFSI in SE trim, rising to £16,290 for the same model in Sport specification. The 1.4-litre TFSI starts at £16,690, while A1 models equipped with the 1.6-litre TDI start from £15,390. A1 Sportback models command a £620 premium, while opting for the S tronic transmission costs £1540 extra.
One of the key upgrades is to the entry-level Audi models which now starts with new base three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
In addition, there's also a reworked chassis offering optional adaptive damping, as well as Audi’s Drive Select function, together with a widened range of infotainment and connectivity options, including Audi Connect and a Wi-Fi hotspot function.
But with more than 500,000 A1 models already sold, the new styling tweaks are very subtle. In addition to a lightly re-profiled front bumper featuring an altered six-corner single frame grille, there's alsorevised headlamp graphics, more defined sills underneath the doors, new tail lamps graphics and a redesigned rear bumper.
The new tweaks mean the A1 has actually grown by 20mm in length, to 3980mm.
As with the current model the A1 hatch and Sportback can be ordered with either a standard monotone or optional two tone paint scheme – the latter featuring a contrasting roof colour. And just for good measure, the long list of customisation options now also includes two new specifications, design and sport.
Related: New Audi TT on sale
There's a choice of six engines in the new facelifted range of A1 and A1 Sportback models. These include four TFSI direct-injection petrol units and two TDI diesels, all of which are described as being either completely new or heavily upgraded.
New to the range is a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct injection petrol and turbocharged 1.4-litre three-cylinder common rail diesel. Both powerplants were recently made available on the mechanically identical Volkswagen Polo.
The former, the first ever three-cylinder petrol engine to be offered in any Audi model, delivers 95bhp and delivers the three-door A1 with claimed fuel consumption of 65.7mpg and 99g/km of CO2.
The new 90bhp diesel, which provides the basis for the first ultra model in the A1 line-up is even more economical, returning 83.1mpg and 89g/km. Audi though has yet to confirm the fuel-sipping diesel will come to the UK.
If you prefer Audi's four-cylinder petrol engines, there's a now a choice of a 1.4 direct injection petrol unit with either 123bhp or 148bhp – the latter featuring cylinder on demand technology that closes down the middle two cylinder on part throttle loads for added fuel savings. They are joined by a 114bhp 1.6-litre common rail diesel and 189bhp 1.8-litre direct injection petrol engine.
At the top of the line-up, the four-wheel drive S1 and S1 Sportback, retain the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection TFSI engine as before. With 231bhp, the engine provides respective 0-62mph acceleration times of 5.8 and in 5.9sec, a 155mph top speed, combined cycle consumption of 39.2mpg and 38.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 166g/km and 168g/km.
Significantly, Audi has reworked thechassis of both the A1 and A1 Sportback in an effort to give the models greater comfort and agility.
Both now come with the option of adaptive damping in combination with the German car maker’s Drive Select function. It allows the driver to alter the characteristics of the steering, damping, gearbox and throttle mapping in three stages at a turn of the car’s MMI rotary controller.
There's also the choice from a series of different wheel designs ranging in size from 15 up to 18-inch in diameter.
Related: Porsche reveals new Cayenne GTS
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars
Jim McGill