Cars

New Audi A1 Sportback: an ideal companion for an urban lifestyle

September 4, 2019

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In 2011, a brand-new Audi model line made its debut in the shape of the A1, having found just over 13 700 South African homes since its launch, the compact hatchback is now ready for round two. Its dynamic design characterizes the new Audi A1 Sportback and is the ideal companion in the urban environment while also being very well suited for longer journeys. With its infotainment and interior features on a par with the full-size class, the A1 Sportback is firmly networked with the digital world. New trim lines and package structures also provide ample opportunity for customization.

Exterior design: Striking with genes of the sporty Ur-quattro

The A1 Sportback has grown significantly in length – with an additional 56 millimetres, it now measures 4.03 metres. At the same time, the width has remained almost the same at 1.74 metres. The new-generation model is only 1.41 metres in height – including aerial, the car is 1.43 metres tall. The wide track and short overhangs provide for a taut, sporty look. The wide, low-placed Singleframe grille and the implied side air inlets dominate the distinctive front. Below the edge of the hood are three flat slits – an homage to the Sport quattro, the brand’s rally icon from 1984.

The new A1 Sportback continues its resemblance to the Audi Ur-quattro and Sport quattro when viewed from the side: The wide, flat sloping C-pillar seems to push the car forward even while standing still. The roof contrast line, which is available in two dark colours (black and grey), ends above the C-pillar. This gives the impression that the roof is flatter and the complete car is even lower-slung. All lines on the flanks, from the window edge to the sill, slope upward toward the rear in a wedge shape. The distinctively highlighted wheels and the low shoulder line in between give the A1 Sportback a solid stance on the road.

The distinctive daytime running light graphics of the full-LED lights (standard on 35 and 40 TFSI) echo the dynamic wing shapes from sailing, known as hydrofoils. The design of the shutters for the main light also draws inspiration from sailing. The wing segments on the flanks create an impression of maximum width. A low-set, concentrated look in conjunction with the small rhombus segments in the top section of the headlights provides a sporty appearance.

The dynamic segmentation motif also features in the rear lights to reinforce the instant recognisability of the A1 light graphics. It is encased in the striking 3D geometry of the lens. The seamless light pattern of the graphics in the dark constitutes a remarkable feature of the two-part rear lights.

The new A1 Sportback is available in a choice of ten colours. The roof of the compact model can be optionally finished in a contrasting colour from the A-pillar to the roof edge spoiler.

A sporty character: the Edition #1

The Launch Edition model (known as Edition #1), based on the S line equipment line in Python Yellow paint colour and available from market launch, is particularly distinctive. It impressively showcases the design language of the A1 with numerous contrasts. Large 18-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels and black contrasting roof and exterior mirror housings, set powerful accents to create a sporty look. Borrowing from the legendary Audi Sport quattro, the LED headlights and LED rear lights are dark-tinted. The Audi rings in the Singleframe and the model designation on the back are black, emphasising an increased athletic and trendy appeal.

Freely combinable: the equipment lines

A new feature in the A1 Sportback is the equipment modular lines structure. This provides for a particularly high degree of flexibility for the customer.

Depending on the equipment line – Standard, Advanced or S line – the attachments on the exterior are available in various configurations. With S line equipment, Audi has emphasized the sporty character even more through numerous features. These include larger air inlets, additional sill trims, an elongated slit centrally below the hood with two fins and the larger rear wing. The top-of-the-line engine (Audi A1 45 TFSI) is also recognizable with its striking twin tailpipes.

Audi is additionally affording customers numerous possibilities to select colours and materials accordingly with the Black Styling Package and Contrast Package. The Black Styling Package includes the radiator grille in mate black; grille frame; front air inlet frame; rear diffuser and front spoiler, all in high gloss black. The Contrast Package offers a contrasting roof dome; exterior mirror housing; front spoiler lip and side skirts in Mythos Black Metallic or Manhattan Grey Metallic.

New look: the interior design

“The sportiest interior in the compact class,” that was the stated aim of the design. The interior is accordingly driver-focused, with its emotive, customizable design. The eye is drawn in particular to the sporty compact unit of air vent nozzles, hood and the digital instrument cluster. All of the controls and the standard MMI touch display are strongly driver-oriented thus emphasizing the special cockpit character.

The display and the air vent strip on the front passenger side are integrated into an area in black glass look. The optional contour and ambient lighting package brings the interior design to life in the dark if desired through LED light elements in 30 selectable colours.

Various seat and upholstery options are available from standard cloth variations to other sport variants in cloth or leather/leatherette combination. Decorative inlays and accents in the interior of the vehicle provide additional cockpit design enhancements. The inlays are available in black (standard) or the optional slate grey colour. Accents come standard in black with optional colours in silver, yellow and mint.

More space and comfort: the space concept

The new A1 Sportback is much more spacious – making life much more comfortable for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. Despite the compact exterior dimensions and the sporty roof line, adults in the rear seats still enjoy plenty of head and leg room.

Luggage capacity has increased by 65 litres. Normal capacity is 335 litres; with the rear seats folded down, this increases to 1,090 litres. Loading sill height is a comfortably low 67 centimetres.

Fully digital: operation and display

The new Audi A1 Sportback is fit for the digital future. Even the basic version comes standard with a fully digital instrument cluster with a high-resolution 8.8-inch display. The optional Audi virtual cockpit with an extended range of functions presents comprehensive and diverse information such as animated navigation maps and graphics of some driver assistance systems in the driver’s direct field of vision.

Fully connected and always up to date: Infotainment

The infotainment concept in the new A1 Sportback comes from the full-size class. The MMI radio plus comes as standard – it can be operated via the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel and the display in the fully digital instrument cluster. In the top configuration, MMI navigation plus offers a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen, which blends seamlessly into the black glass-look area. As with a smartphone, all commands are via touch input. The latest generation of voice control further improves the dialog between driver and car.

The optional Audi smartphone interface ensures you are always well connected on board the new A1 Sportback. It integrates iOS and Android smartphones using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into an environment in the MMI programmed specifically for them, and offers two USB interfaces (1x USB-A, 1x USB-C with increased charging current). Another option, the Audi phone box, thus ensures improved reception quality with LTE support and charges the smartphone inductively via wireless charging according to the Qi standard.

Music and acoustics aficionados will be pleased to find a Digital Audio Broadcasting tuner with the Audi sound system and the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System. The optional B&O system drives eleven speakers with an output of 560 watts. Its 3D effect uses the windshield as a reflecting surface.

Customers looking to upgrade their technology on the vehicle, are easily able to specify the Technology Package, which contains the Audi Virtual Cockpit; Audi Smartphone Interface and Audi Sound System for R9,900.

Light and particularly robust: the body

The body of the new Audi A1 Sportback includes components made out of hot-formed steel that form the backbone of the passenger cell. The rigid body and exact fits guarantee sportily precise driving and the absence of intrusive noise on board. With a front area of 2.07 sq. and a drag coefficient of 0.31, the new A1 Sportback offers very little windage.

Powerful and efficient: the engines

Whether running around town or going on a weekend excursion – its powerful engines in particular make driving the new Audi A1 Sportback so much fun. There is a choice of three efficient petrol engines with outputs ranging from 85 kW to 147 kW. Turbocharging, direct injection and a particulate filter are standard.

Audi is making a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission available for the 1.0 and 1.5 engines. The exception is the top-of-the-range, 2.0 engine, where a six-speed S tronic transmission shifts gears as standard.

Sporty, poised tuning: the suspension

The axle design of the new Audi A1 Sportback delivers agile handling and a sporty, poised driving experience. The front suspension is a McPherson construction; a compact, lightweight torsion beam axle is used at the rear. Besides the basic suspension, there is an option for a tauter sport suspension.

The Dynamic Package, available only on the 30 and 35 TFSI S line models, bundle equipment options to give the A1 Sportback an even sportier trim. This includes a sport suspension, red brake calipers and larger brake discs, a sound actuator and Audi drive select. The Dynamic Package contents come as standard equipment on the top-of-the-range 40 TFSI model.

The brakes of the new A1 Sportback can be precisely metered and provide a responsive, taut pedal feel. The optional hold assist enhances safety on uphill and downhill slopes by preventing the car from rolling after stopping. Wheels are available in sizes from 15 up to 18 inches.

Local packages: offering simplicity

Audi South Africa has introduced a new package concept which will be adopted for all new models to be launched. The concept aims to reduce complexity when ordering a new vehicle, considering that a customer is generally faced with a long list of options to choose from. It classifies key options according to a specific customer need and offers a straight-forward value proposition that is easy for a customer to understand. These packages have been defined by a combination of customer preferences as well as strategic options which aim to highlight Audi’s uniqueness or technology enhancements.

The packages include:

Comfort
Technology
Sport
Lights (for 30 TFSI only)
S line interior

Within each package structure is a few options suited to the particular proposition. For example, the Technology package includes Audi virtual cockpit; Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system.

Standard equipment

An extensive list of standard equipment is available on the Audi A1 30 TFSI S tronic:

15 inch alloy, 5-arm style (Standard model)
16 inch alloy, 10-spoke turbine style (Advanced model)
16 inch alloy, 5-arm dynamic style (S line model)
Anti-theft wheel bolts
Space-saving spare wheel
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Tool kit and jack
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electromechanical power steering
Hill start assist
Standard suspension
Start/stop system with regenerative braking
Halogen headlights
Headlight range control
Light/rain sensor
Separate daytime running lights
Additional front underbody guard plus underbody stone guard
Black decorative trims
Exterior mirror covers in Black
Exterior mirrors, power-adjustable and heated
Roof dome in body colour
6 speakers
Bluetooth interface
Digital instrument cluster
MMI radio Plus with additional 8.8-inch centre screen integrated into black glass-look centre dashboard
Voice recognition
Accent surfaces unpainted, black
Anti-theft alarm system
Centre armrest in front
Dashboard accent surface in Black glass look
Decorative inlays in polygon structure, Black
Dimming interior rear view mirror
Driver and front passenger airbag withfront passenger airbag deactivation
“Delta“ fabric seat upholstery
Floor mats in front and rear
Folding rear seat backrest
Front passenger seat with height adjustment
Hand brake lever handle in leather
Head restraints in front and rear
Headliner in titanium greyfabric
i-Size child seat mounting on front passenger side and on outer rear seats
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, 3-spoke, with multi-function Plus
Luggage compartment package with variable loading & luggage net
Manual air conditioning system
USB type A interface for charging external devices
Windshield with heat-insulating glass