The Audi A1 Sportback is an urban lifestyle companion

The all-new Audi A1 Sportback has a sportier design and comes with all the bells and whistles and in an array of statement-making colours (ten to choose from). Driving through The Cradle of Humankind area was such a breeze and a pleasure to be behind the wheel of this German marque.

Image by Naresh Maharaj

Power when you need it, and all the stopping power to bring the car to a very quick stop. And I have to say that whilst delivering a top-class Sportback, Audi were mindful that they had to keep the prices competitive.

Exterior Design: Striking and Sporty

The A1 Sportback has grown significantly in length – with an additional 56mm, making it 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.

Image by Naresh Maharaj

The wide track and short overhangs provide for a taut, sporty look. The wide, low-placed grille and the side air inlets dominate the distinctive front. Below the edge of the hood are three flat slits – homage to the Sport Quattro, the brand’s rally icon from 1984.

Comfort and space

The new A1 Sportback is much more spacious – making life much more comfortable for the driver and passengers. Despite the compact exterior dimensions and the sporty roofline, adults in the rear seats still enjoy plenty of head and legroom. 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 67cm.

Turn me on! I’m fully digital and connected

The 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.

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The infotainment concept in the 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. You will always be well-connected with either iOS and Android smartphones using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, respectively. For your listening pleasure, you have the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System at your disposal.

Engine outputs

Whether running around town or going on a weekend excursion – its powerful engines, in particular, make driving the 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.

Verdict

Since its initial launch in 2011, the A1 Sportback has found over 13,700 new buyers and now we are ready for the next generation that features taut lines and a more aggressive look.

Take it on the urban route, the national highways and off-road on gravel, and you are bound to be impressed. 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.

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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.

Pricing

The Audi A1 range is priced (incl. VAT) as follows, along with the standard Audi Freeway plan (5-year/100,000km):

• Audi A1 30 TFSI S Tronic at R359,900
  
• Audi A1 30 TFSI Advanced S Tronic at R373,900
  
• Audi A1 30 TFSI S line S Tronic at R388,900
  
• Audi A1 35 TFSI S Tronic at R429,900
  
• Audi A1 35 TFSI Advanced S Tronic at R443,900
  
• Audi A1 35 TFSI S line S Tronic at R458,900
  
• Audi A1 40 TFSI S line S Tronic at R488,000