Audi has opened the order books on its cleanest ever model. The highly anticipated new supermini A1 model is available to order from today (May 6) as the carmaker reveals full pricing and specification details.
The German premium carmaker’s first entrant into the mini car segment has emissions from just 105g/km of CO2 and 70.6mpg (combined) and is set to appeal to a new breed of buyer. It is widely tipped to become the brand’s biggest seller when the first deliveries are made to UK customers in October.
The carmaker promises that the new model will offer all the familiar luxury of associated with its cars simply on a smaller scale. The firm says the new A1, priced between £13,145 OTR and £18,280 OTR, is ‘the latest, more concentrated embodiment of Vorsprung durch Technik’ and its ‘more diminutive dimensions are its only half measure’.
Features common to the SE, Sport and S line options available for UK A1 models will include alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display. The model will also make full use engine start-stop function, energy recuperation as standard to make it the greenest Audi ever.
In the initial launch phase, three ultra-efficient TDI and TFSI engines will be available, all of which compensate for their relatively small displacements with the latest turbo charger technology.
The new 1.2 TFSI petrol engine linked exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission kicks off the range, its 86PS and 160Nm peak power and torque outputs enabling a 0-62mph time of 11.7 seconds and a 112mph top speed, delivered with 55.4mpg capability and low CO2 of 118g/km.
The more familiar 1.4 TFSI power unit is next in line, and delivers its 122PS and 200Nm via the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. Equipped with S tronic it takes the A1 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds, and on to 126mph where conditions allow, and in this form comes impressively close to matching its smaller counterpart on economy and emissions, delivering up to 54.3mpg with CO2 output of 119g/km.
The 105PS 1.6-litre diesel, the lowest CO2 emitting model in the range, is the third engine option. Using a five-speed manual gearbox, its impressive 250Nm torque output powers the A1 to 62mph in 10.5 seconds and on to a 118mph top speed, while retaining the potential to achieve 70.6mpg economy with emissions of 105g/km. That means that the A1 will be road tax free in the first year.
