AUDI has expanded its A1 and A3 ranges to include new high-tech Cylinder-on-Demand petrol models offering up to 60.1mpg.

The new models, which start from £16,740, are capable of making a near seamless switch between two and four cylinder operation in as little as 13 milliseconds.

And while these advanced petrol-powered models can cruise frugally along, they can also draw on 140PS of punch when required.

Prices are from £16,740 in the A1 and £20,055 in the A3, meaning the new 1.4-litre TFSI CoD models carry a premium of £850 over their 1.4 TFSI 122PS equivalents in both line-ups, making them attractive alternatives to the 2.0-litre TDI variants.

All versions of the A1 and A1 Sportback are equipped initially with the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission, and the A3 and A3 Sportback with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Both transmissions will, however, become available for all A1 and A3 CoD models later this year.

Acceleration figures are 0-62mph in 7.9 and 8.0 seconds in the A1 and five-door A1 Sportback equipped with S tronic transmission while the A3 and A3 Sportback with manual transmission complete the sprint in 8.3 and 8.4 seconds. Top speeds are 132mph in all.

As for economy the Sport, S line and Black Edition versions of the A1 can return up to 60.1mpg, equating to a CO2 output of 109g/km.

A1 Sportback Sport versions also match those figures, while S line and Black Edition versions of the five-door run them close with 57.6mpg potential and 113g/km output.

Cylinder on demand technology made its debut in the S6, S7 Sportback and S8, and has also just benefited the new RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback.

When applied to the four-cylinder engine it shuts down the second and third cylinders under low and intermediate loads and when coasting.

In A1 and A1 Sportback models thel new engine can be paired with Sport, S line and Black Edition specification and in the A3 and A3 Sportback, it's available in SE, Sport and S line versions.