Audi prepares A1 for MINI fight

Audi has blessed its pint-size A1 with more power and efficiency, plus fresh looks and improved value across the range, but there's a higher base price, two fewer variants and no sign of diesel or three-door options.

First revealed last December, when we drove it at its international launch, Audi hopes the midlife makeover for its smallest model will arrest an 18 per cent sales slide so far this year.

The German city-car has been consistently popular since it arrived in Australia in three-door form in 2010 (the five-door Sportback replaced it here in June 2012), finding about 140 buyers a month and a 30 per cent share of the compact premium segment. But to May this year the new MINI Cooper has more than doubled its sales and now accounts for closer to 50 per cent of sales.

Like the MkIII MINI, the new entry-level A1 is now powered by a three-cylinder engine for the first time. Together with a revised 1.4 TFSI engine for midrange models and new 1.8 TFSI at the top end, Audi is claiming efficiency gains of up 10 per cent and up to 7kW more power.

However, gone from the range is the previous 1.6 TDI diesel engine, and Audi Australia continues to pass on the A1 three-door.

New to the Audi A1 range is a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine that is more powerful and efficient than the 1.2-litre unit it replaces.

Weighing just 88kg, it generates 70kW of power (up 7kW) and the same 160Nm of torque over a wide 1500-3500rpm, but consumes just 4.2L/100km combined with a five-speed manual transmission and only 4.4L/100km with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic, making it about half a litre per 100km more frugal than the 1.2. It is also 0.8 seconds quicker to 100km/h in a claimed 11.1 sec.

The A1 1.0 TFSI manual costs $26,900 plus on-road costs -- $400 more than the outgoing 1.2 TFSI manual and $850 more than the cheapest MINI One 5-Door – while the seven-speed auto costs another $1350 at $28,250 -- $150 less than the MINI One 5-Door auto.

The mid-range A1 1.4 TFSI Sport's 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine has been updated for 2015 and now delivers 92kW (up 2kW) and an unchanged 200Nm.

Fuel consumption reduces by 0.4L/100km to 4.9L/100km (six-speed manual) and 5.1L/100km (seven-speed auto), with both models claimed to hit 100km.h in 8.9 seconds.

The 1.4 TFSI now costs $27,750 (down $4500 and the same price as the MINI Cooper 5-Door) as a manual and this time the auto adds an extra $2350 at $30,100.

Previously only the base A1 1.2 was priced below $30,000; now there are three sub-$30K variants.

Capping the range is the 1.8 TFSI S tronic, packing a new 1.8-litre engine that, like the rest of the A1 line-up, features direct-injection, turbocharging and Euro 6 emissions compliance.

Compared to the old 136kW 1.4 TFSI, it develops 5kW more at 141kW and the same 250Nm, but sprints to 100km/h a tenth quicker in 6.9 sec, consumes 0.3L/100km les at 5.6L/100km and costs the same $39,900.

For 2015, the A1 gets a relatively mild exterior overhaul including redesigned headlights, a wider grille and fresh tail-lights, in line with the newer S1 quattro hot hatch.

There are also larger wheels across the range, but the biggest mechanical change is the shift from an electrohydraulic power steering system to an electromechanical – just like the Volkswagen Polo upon which the A1 is based.

Standard features at base level include 15-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, Audi Music Interface with Bluetooth audio streaming and voice control, eight-speaker MMI Radio system with 6.5-inch colour display, cruise control, Driver Information System, power exterior mirrors, front centre armrest, auto headlights and wipers, Dynamic suspension and a multi-function three-spoke sports steering wheel with paddle shifters (auto).

Audi says the 1.0 TFSI S tronic comes with more standard features than the MINI One 5-Door auto, including alloy wheels, cruise control, a multi-function leather-clad steering wheel, paddleshifters and a front armrest.

As before, all A1s come with six airbags and a five-star ANCAP safety rating, but a reversing camera and advanced driver safety aids continue to remain unavailable.

In addition to standard 1.0 TFSI features, Audi says the 1.4 TFSI Sport offers $6000 worth of added value with features like 16-inch alloy wheels, Audi Drive Select, climate-control, front sports seats, aluminium interior trim package, LED interior lighting package and front fog lights.

Audi claims the 1.4 TFSI comes with more standard features than the identically priced MINI Cooper 5-Door, including 16-inch wheels, Audi drive select, front fog lights, paddleshifters, front armrest, sports seats and automatic air-conditioning.

Over the 1.4 TFSI the flagship 1.8 TFSI S line adds a claimed $4000 of extra value over the TFSI Sport it replaces, including 17-inch alloys, S line exterior sports styling package, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, stainless steel pedals, sports suspension and MMI Navigation plus with 20GB HDD storage and 2 x SHDC card readers.

Of course there are a range of options packs for the 1.0 TFSI and 1.4 TFSI, including the Style package ($1990) comprising xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloys.

There's also the Technik package ($2490) with MMI Navigation plus, 20GB HDD storage and 2 x SDHC readers, Audi sound system and S line sports package.

Finally for the 1.8 TFSI is a $2990 package offering 18-inch alloys in a five-arm rotor design, sports seats in cloth/leather, S line multifunction sports steering wheel with paddleshifts, black headlining, perforated leather-clad gear shifter and S line interior logos and trims.

With three contrasting roof colour options ($700), 12 paint colours and 12 wheel designs, Audi says there more than a million colour combinations are possible.

Among the host of further optional extras is digital radio ($600), metallic or pearl effect paint ($990), 14-speaker 465-Watt Bose surround sound ($1450) and a panoramic sunroof ($1850).

2015 Audi A1 Sportback pricing (plus ORCs):
1.0 TFSI -- $26,900
1.0 TFSI S tronic -- $28,250
1.4 TFSI Sport -- $27,750
1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic -- $30,100
1.8 TFSI S line S tronic -- $39,900