By Mike Torpey on 2011-10-23 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S
line S tronic
SOMETIMES you get blown away by something you just weren't expecting.
I thought Audi's cheapest car the A1 would be okay - perhaps a bit pokey inside and certainly nothing like the bigger models.
Wrong on both counts - it's an absolute belter from every angle.
Of course when you produce a car charged with taking on the established might of MINI, the much improved Ford Fiesta and the super sporty Citroen DS3, then it has to be a handy piece of kit.
The A1 is better than that, it's peerless - and that's from someone who doesn't normally over-enthuse about anything.
What the engineers and designers at Ingolstadt have managed is a to deliver all their dynamics, acoustics, build quality and prestige into a supermini that a lot more folk can afford. It's a masterpiece of downsizing.
Sit behind the beautifully balanced steering wheel and the feeling is more TT coupe than three-door hatch. Those trademark black and silver cabin touches are all there - a bit minimalist but classy nonetheless - and there's ample head and legroom for two rear passengers.
Of the three engines - two petrol and one turbodiesel - on offer in the A1 range, the tested 1.4-litre TFSI boasted the more powerful 185PS displacement.
It makes for excellent acceleration, seamless gearshifts through the seven-speed S tronic twin clutch transmission and a solid, planted feel when driven at speed.
In fact when you factor in a throaty engine note and lots of feelgood factor, the experience is not far off hot hatch. Even with that performance there's a claimed average fuel consumption of 47.9mpg, though I couldn't match that figure.
As to versatility, well there are more practical offerings out there. None though can match that feeling of prestige that the Audi impresses on you.
And to be fair, the split-level boot is reasonable while for extra space the rear seats do split and fold 60/40.
Prices start at £13,420 for the 1.2 TFSI SE model and all cars come with air-con, remote central locking, alloy wheels, electric front windows and eight-speaker CD sound system with iPod connection and retractable 6.5-inch screen.
The top grade S line trim of the tested model adds lots more - like the logo embossed into the front part-leather seat backs - and in trademark Audi fashion there's the scope to shell out lots more hard-earned on options.
Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S line S tronic
Price: £20,710
Mechanical: 185ps, 1,390cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via seven-speed automatic gearbox
Max Speed: 141mph
0-62mph: 6.9 seconds
Combined MPG: 47.9
Insurance Group: 28
C02 emissions: 139g/km
Bik rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
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