The revolutionary, new Audi A1

The new Audi super-mini A1 was unveiled in prototype form at the Paris Motor Show, back in 2008. Hitting UK dealerships in 2010 and remaining largely unchanged from that initial prototype, the A1 boasts the sharp styling for which Audi is famed. It also has an elegant interior design and comes with a host of reliable engines. For all these reasons and the smart starting price tag of £13,145 - only £400 more than the similar Mini - it seems obvious that the A1 is truly an A1 car.





Engines on offer with the A1 include the 86bhp 1.2 and 122bhp 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engines, plus a 105bhp 1.6-litre TDI diesel. The 1.2 is an ideally suited town car, its perky engine providing the flexibility needed for urban driving but also packing sufficient punch. Both the 1.4 and the diesel are fast and versatile, and make excellent cruisers for any road. They all have a long top gear, ideal for keeping the revs down and improving the fuel economy at higher speeds.





It is these perky, clean engines that help the A1 stand out even more from the crowd, as the entire A1 hatchback series is eligible for the Greener Vehicle Discount scheme. Under the scheme, clean cars qualify for a 100 per cent discount from congestion charges. In order to qualify, the cars need to meet the Euro 5 compliance standards and produce less than or equal to 100g/km of CO2. With the entire series compliant, a great car becomes an even better buy for any motorist who faces regular driving in the Central and West London area.

Excellence is not only found under the bonnet, the car was also awarded a five star rating by the prestigious Euro NCAP consortium in crash tests; its passenger, child and pedestrian protection tests all scoring very highly. The A1 series comes equipped with a wealth of accident prevention systems, with a firm ride and calm handling when cornering provided by its 'ESP' electronic stability system with a limited slip differential.





Inside, the layout of the driver’s dashboard is clean, clear and easy to get used to. A large boot provides decent luggage space and the equipment on offer includes the very latest navigation and infotainment system, available on the Audi flagship A8.





It is the car’s remarkable fuel economy, congestion charge exemption and wealth of safety features that help the A1 stand out in a competitive playing field. Its attractive entry level price and high resale value only add to the car’s appeal, whilst the Audi badge guarantees not just an elegant ride but also German engineering of the highest quality. The A1 is likely to provide years of care-free motoring with not even the costs of windscreen replacements likely to spoil your ride.





Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.