The latest A1 is a smile inducing hooligan thanks to an enthusiastic turbo charged engine and a new dominant design.
By SHAWN DONOVAN BRTT
*Prices and Specs accurate at time of publishing
My week with a lively stumped python, the Audi A1 40 TFSI, will remain a joyous and exciting memory for months to come. The latest A1 is a smile inducing hooligan thanks to an enthusiastic turbo charged engine and a new dominant design, you can’t help but giggle with every exhaust note burbling out the back.
We were fortunate enough to receive the S line model, in a controversial colour, python yellow. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but for the members of Gay Pages, the flamboyant colour was hitting all the right spots. The sporty and poised little hatch, apart from impressive and memorable performance, oozed sex appeal from every angle.
The 2,0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine summons an impressive 320Nm of torque, 147kW, and an acclaimed 0 to 100km/h time of 6,5 seconds. I found, because the car has such a fun element to it, that it felt a lot faster than the acclaimed time of 6,5 seconds. These performance stats share similarities between the VW Polo GTI, which is no surprise as they do share the same platform and engine. The decision between the two German hot hatches depends on your design preference.
Despite the sporty statement from the engine specs, Audi claims a combined fuel consumption of 6.0 litre/100km, which I found a little too ambitious for my led food. The symphony of cylinders combined with the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission makes it simply irresistible to drive conservatively. I did however find on open roads and high-way cruising that the fuel consumption was highly impressive just under the 6,0-litre mark.
This feisty little Python is beautifully equipped or music lovers, a 560W Bang & Olufsen sound system with 11 speakers is an option. An easy to operate and well equipped infotainment system is beautifully integrated into the dashboard which creates a superb upmarket feel, not to mention the ambient lighting and soft touch material spread throughout the cabin.
The Audi A1 has really progressed into a desirable car; it has set my interest firmly in the future offerings from the powerhouse brand.
