Audi refreshes A1 range for 2015

Audi has revitalised the range-opening A1 hatch with exterior and interior updates, fresh decors and paints, and refined engines.

As part of a mid-life refresh, the A1 and A1 Sportback feature sharper looking headlights, wider grille and restyled front and rear bumper which extend the city car’s overall length by 20mm to 3980mm. There are also new designs for the alloy wheels and new colours added to the palette.

The new A1 is also more customisable than before, with a range of options from coloured air vents to decorative decals for the body. Audi can now deliver the roof arch (of the A1) or roof dome (of the A1 Sportback) in a contrasting colour.

Two-new three-cylinder engines extend the A1’s engine lineup to six. The Audi A1 1.0 TFSI three-cylinder turbo petrol develops 70 kW of power has a combined fuel consumption of just 4.3 liters fuel per 100 kilometres. Another new three-cylinder in the A1, the diesel 1.4 TDI ultra with 66 kW, consumes 3.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometres, and is the A1 range’s first ultra model, Audi’s new sub-brand that focuses on fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Audi says all engines are entirely new or have undergone extensive advanced development. The company also claims power output has been increased in most engines, while fuel economy has been reduced by as much as ten percent. The seven-speed S tronic is available for all engines, either optional or standard (with the 1.8 TFSI).

The 2015 A1 gains a new electromechanical steering which “guarantees that the driver has optimal assistance in all driving situations”. The power assist is reduced as vehicle speed increases. In the newly created sport equipment line, the tuning is stiffer, but it is more comfortable than in the previous model. For even more dynamic performance, there is the S line sport suspension.

Also new is the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. The driver can use it to vary the engine characteristic, the optional S tronic and adjustable shock absorbers – another new option – over the three modes auto, efficiency and dynamic.

Wheel diametres range from 15 to 18 inches. All models come with ESC (Electronic Stabilization Control) which makes handling even more precise and stable, while torque vectoring reduces understeer at performance limits.

The S1 and S1 Sportback remain as the range’s top performance models. Powered by a 2.0 TFSI producing 170 kW and 370 Nm of torque and driving through quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, the small compact sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h.