By: Dave Abrahams
Ingolstadt, Germany - Audi has given its A1 and S1 models a comprehensive makeover, starting with a new grille, emphasised by a large air-intake on each side and new headlight clusters so tapered that they're very nearly triangular.
The gaping lower air-intakes are set in a bulging front bumper that adds 20mm to the cars' overall length, taking it up to 3980mm. There are new colour combinations and, for the first time on the A1, the roof section is available in a contrasting colour, a la Mini.
But the big news is under the bonnet, with a range of six engines that Audi says are all either new or extensively updated.
The four petrol and two diesel engines - all force-fed - range in quoted output from 66kW to 141kW, and all of them are available with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission - in fact it's standard on the 1.8 TFSI.
The base-model 1.0 TFSI, rated at 70 kW and an NEDC combined-cycle fuel consumption of 4.3 litres, is Audi's first three-cylinder petrol engine. It's accompanied by another new triple, the 1.4 TDI ultra, for which the maker claims 66kW and 3.4 litres per 100km.
Then there's a direct-injection 1.4-litre turbopetrol four in either 92kW or 110kW flavour (the latter with a cylinder cut-out feature to reduce fuel consumption at low speeds) and an 85kW, 1.6-litre turbodiesel, with the 141kW, 1.8-litre TFSI leading the charge.
The S1, also in standard three-door and five-door Sportback format, has a two-litre TFSI turbopetrol four tweaked to deliver 170kW and 370Nm, good enough for a claimed 0-100 sprint in 5.8 seconds (5.9 for the Sportback) and 250km/h flat out.
RUNNING GEAR
The variable electromechanical power steering is new, as is the suspension set-up, starting with the new sport equipment line which Audi claims is actually more comfortable than the previous standard model, despite having stiffer springs and damping.
The S line sport suspension, however, is distinctly sportier; it's also available with a drive select function that varies the engine characteristics, the optional S tronic and adjustable dampers (another first for the A1) at the driver's behest between auto, efficiency and dynamic mode.
Wheel diameters range from 15-18”, and the full suite of driver aids includes torque vectoring to reduce understeer near the chassis limits.
The two S1 variants come with quattro permanent all-wheel drive, specially developed pivot bearings in front, a sophisticated four-link rear suspension, stiffer springs and 17” alloy rims. Drive select and adjustable damping are standard.
CLANGERS AND FLUTES
The interior has been tidied up, if that's possible on an Audi, with a cleaner more intuitive control layout, outlined with fine chromed trim strips.
The infotainment package is built around a colour monitor that folds out from the fascia to access the MMI navigation and voice control functions, delivering beautiful noises through a Bose surround sound system.
Optional is Audio connect, which connects the car to the internet, and turns the cabin into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
JAZZ IT UP
There's as whole new catalogue of options and equipment packages to choose from, starting by ordering the basic car in either design or sport line configuration; then add either design selection or S line sport packages, as well as custom touches - from coloured air vents to go-fast stripes for the body, add-on parts and special rim designs.
The 2015 Audi A1 and S1 will be released in South Africa in May; prices, as always, when they get here.