BRITISH buyers who got their orders in early for Audi's smart-looking new A1 Sportback will be able to take delivery from the end of November as first shipments of the company's latest premium compact model arrive at dealerships.
But initial deliveries of the new supermini will only be of variants powered by Audi's three-cylinder, 114bhp, one litre turbocharged engine - dubbed the 30 TFSI - which comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG auto, offering a top speed of 129mph and acceleration from 0-62mph in around 9.5 seconds.
Priced from £18,450 to £23,180, the initial 30 TFSI range is available in three trim levels - SE, Sport and S-Line - although two special launch edition models, the A1 S line Contrast Edition and S line Style Edition - will also be available. Standard specs across the range include LED lighting front and rear, a 10.25 inch fully digital instrument cluster, smartphone interface, lane departure warning and a front radar system capable of applying emergency braking.
Early next year the range will increase to include more engine options with a 94bhp entry-level version of the three cylinder engine and a1.5-litre four-cylinder unit with a power output of 148bhp. A performance-focussed flagship model will eventually sit at the top of the range powered by a 197bhp two litre engine mated to a six-speed S-tronic transmission.
The latest A1 has grown significantly in length and this translates into a more spacious cabin and a significant increase in luggage capacity - up by 65litres to 335 litres with the rear seats in place and with 1,090litres of usable space available with the seats down.