Audi A1 1.4 TFSI [185bhp] (A) Review
12 Oct 2011|27,279 views
A slew of hot hatchbacks launched recently have left us spoilt for choice when it comes to compact performance runabouts. Volkswagen has the Polo GTI, and its Czech cousin Skoda offers up the Fabia RS. Stalwarts like the MINI Cooper S are facing up against the likes of the Citroen DS3, so competition in the tiny but spicy hatchback segment is heating up indeed.
Audi's recently launched A1 seems to be the perfect base for the German automaker to come up with a true pocket rocket to trump them all, but as yet, Audi has yet to launch a performance-oriented version of its latest baby.
So, for the time being, Audi fans will have to make do with the A1 185bhp, the most powerful version of its latest baby. At least, until the stonking S1 version comes along.
Exterior
Visually, the 185bhp version of the A1 doesn't look much different from its smaller and less powerful brother. The S line kit you see on the car comes as standard for the 185bhp, which means that the somewhat sporty detailing in front, as well as the very cool-looking 18-inch alloy wheels are all included with the power package.
Audi's recently launched A1 seems to be the perfect base for the German automaker to come up with a true pocket rocket to trump them all, but as yet, Audi has yet to launch a performance-oriented version of its latest baby.
So, for the time being, Audi fans will have to make do with the A1 185bhp, the most powerful version of its latest baby. At least, until the stonking S1 version comes along.
Exterior
Visually, the 185bhp version of the A1 doesn't look much different from its smaller and less powerful brother. The S line kit you see on the car comes as standard for the 185bhp, which means that the somewhat sporty detailing in front, as well as the very cool-looking 18-inch alloy wheels are all included with the power package.
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Overall, it gives the car a slightly more menacing look somehow, especially in the test car's metallic Daytona Grey shade. The combination of those alloy wheels, called Rotor, the body colour, and the slightly lowered suspension somehow hints at the business it packs under the bonnet.
It is still a youthful looking thing though, with those striking LED daytime running lights and the roof arches, which can be specified in different colours from the main body colour. With clever customisation, one can make the A1 as aggressive or as cutesy-looking as one desires, regardless of the bulge under the bonnet.
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Interior
Similarly, the interior of the A1 185bhp is little changed from the base model. You get the same Audi quality feel, with everything solidly put together, and the usual premium sensation that only the Ingolstadt carmaker can offer.
One feature that drew constant praise among passengers was the front seats, which were snug and body-hugging, bolstering the occupants well. While they were noticeably sporty in nature, they were not at all uncomfortable.
The same can't be said for the back seats however, which were set too upright. However, at least legroom for rear passengers is relatively decent for average-sized people.
Similarly, the interior of the A1 185bhp is little changed from the base model. You get the same Audi quality feel, with everything solidly put together, and the usual premium sensation that only the Ingolstadt carmaker can offer.
One feature that drew constant praise among passengers was the front seats, which were snug and body-hugging, bolstering the occupants well. While they were noticeably sporty in nature, they were not at all uncomfortable.
The same can't be said for the back seats however, which were set too upright. However, at least legroom for rear passengers is relatively decent for average-sized people.
Equipment-wise, the A1 185bhp comes with the same impressive list as its brother, with the only extras being the keyless entry, Xenon headlights with washers, and the Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) system which includes satellite-navigation and the Bose sound system. It should be noted however, that all of these are part of the S line package which can also be specified for the 122bhp version.
Despite that, there are still some features absent which would have made the A1 experience a whole lot more enjoyable if they were available. Electric seats for one would have been nice, while a reverse camera, although not really necessary for a car of its size, might be a worthwhile addition, considering the car's retail price.
Despite that, there are still some features absent which would have made the A1 experience a whole lot more enjoyable if they were available. Electric seats for one would have been nice, while a reverse camera, although not really necessary for a car of its size, might be a worthwhile addition, considering the car's retail price.
 |
The Drive
The standard A1 with 122bhp already feels relatively perky, so one would expect that with an extra 63 horsepower, the A1 185bhp would provide bahn-storming performance.
And it does. Off the line, the car rockets you to triple digit speeds and beyond in a flash. Drop the 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox, which shifts cogs seamlessly as you power along, into Sport mode, and you can feel yourself being pushed back into your seat, as the speedometer sweeps across the dial easily.
However, and it is an unfortunate however, the car's chassis seems to be not quite in tune with the engine. Sending 185bhp down solely to the front wheels results in quite evident torque steer, and you can feel the tyres squirming and struggling to put the power down as you floor the accelerator. If ever a car needs Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, this car is it.
If you manage to control your right foot however, the A1 185bhp rewards you with brisk performance, together with a nice, rorty engine sound from the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine. The throttle response is also fairly sensitive, although the brakes could be a bit better in terms of scrubbing off speed quickly. It really is a hyperactive little beast.
The standard A1 with 122bhp already feels relatively perky, so one would expect that with an extra 63 horsepower, the A1 185bhp would provide bahn-storming performance.
And it does. Off the line, the car rockets you to triple digit speeds and beyond in a flash. Drop the 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox, which shifts cogs seamlessly as you power along, into Sport mode, and you can feel yourself being pushed back into your seat, as the speedometer sweeps across the dial easily.
However, and it is an unfortunate however, the car's chassis seems to be not quite in tune with the engine. Sending 185bhp down solely to the front wheels results in quite evident torque steer, and you can feel the tyres squirming and struggling to put the power down as you floor the accelerator. If ever a car needs Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, this car is it.
If you manage to control your right foot however, the A1 185bhp rewards you with brisk performance, together with a nice, rorty engine sound from the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine. The throttle response is also fairly sensitive, although the brakes could be a bit better in terms of scrubbing off speed quickly. It really is a hyperactive little beast.
Going into corners, the A1 185bhp displays the same nimble and poised handling as its lesser-powered brother. The steering is direct and precise, and it provides for the kind of point-and-go driving experience that makes a hot hatch such great entertainment.
But that sort of fun comes at the expense of ride comfort though, with the stiffer S line suspension feeling rather firm and a little choppy at speed. The car is still fairly tolerable at decent speeds over most well-paved roads though.
Conclusion
The debate over whether more power equates to a better car will forever rage on, but seasoned enthusiasts will know better that sometimes, you don't need massive horsepower to give you loads of driving fun. As the famous line goes, power is nothing without control.
That said, if the Audi A1 185bhp is an indication of what a future hot performance A1 model is like, then we can't wait for the S1 to appear. Audi's premium hatchback already has most of the right boxes ticked in the recipe for a superb driving pocket rocket, and all it needs now is the proper set-up to match.
Bring it on, I say.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
But that sort of fun comes at the expense of ride comfort though, with the stiffer S line suspension feeling rather firm and a little choppy at speed. The car is still fairly tolerable at decent speeds over most well-paved roads though.
Conclusion
The debate over whether more power equates to a better car will forever rage on, but seasoned enthusiasts will know better that sometimes, you don't need massive horsepower to give you loads of driving fun. As the famous line goes, power is nothing without control.
That said, if the Audi A1 185bhp is an indication of what a future hot performance A1 model is like, then we can't wait for the S1 to appear. Audi's premium hatchback already has most of the right boxes ticked in the recipe for a superb driving pocket rocket, and all it needs now is the proper set-up to match.
Bring it on, I say.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
A slew of hot hatchbacks launched recently have left us spoilt for choice when it comes to compact performance runabouts. Volkswagen has the Polo GTI, and its Czech cousin Skoda offers up the Fabia RS. Stalwarts like the MINI Cooper S are facing up against the likes of the Citroen DS3, so competition in the tiny but spicy hatchback segment is heating up indeed.
Audi's recently launched A1 seems to be the perfect base for the German automaker to come up with a true pocket rocket to trump them all, but as yet, Audi has yet to launch a performance-oriented version of its latest baby.
So, for the time being, Audi fans will have to make do with the A1 185bhp, the most powerful version of its latest baby. At least, until the stonking S1 version comes along.
Exterior
Visually, the 185bhp version of the A1 doesn't look much different from its smaller and less powerful brother. The S line kit you see on the car comes as standard for the 185bhp, which means that the somewhat sporty detailing in front, as well as the very cool-looking 18-inch alloy wheels are all included with the power package.
Audi's recently launched A1 seems to be the perfect base for the German automaker to come up with a true pocket rocket to trump them all, but as yet, Audi has yet to launch a performance-oriented version of its latest baby.
So, for the time being, Audi fans will have to make do with the A1 185bhp, the most powerful version of its latest baby. At least, until the stonking S1 version comes along.
Exterior
Visually, the 185bhp version of the A1 doesn't look much different from its smaller and less powerful brother. The S line kit you see on the car comes as standard for the 185bhp, which means that the somewhat sporty detailing in front, as well as the very cool-looking 18-inch alloy wheels are all included with the power package.
|
Overall, it gives the car a slightly more menacing look somehow, especially in the test car's metallic Daytona Grey shade. The combination of those alloy wheels, called Rotor, the body colour, and the slightly lowered suspension somehow hints at the business it packs under the bonnet.
It is still a youthful looking thing though, with those striking LED daytime running lights and the roof arches, which can be specified in different colours from the main body colour. With clever customisation, one can make the A1 as aggressive or as cutesy-looking as one desires, regardless of the bulge under the bonnet.
|
Interior
Similarly, the interior of the A1 185bhp is little changed from the base model. You get the same Audi quality feel, with everything solidly put together, and the usual premium sensation that only the Ingolstadt carmaker can offer.
One feature that drew constant praise among passengers was the front seats, which were snug and body-hugging, bolstering the occupants well. While they were noticeably sporty in nature, they were not at all uncomfortable.
The same can't be said for the back seats however, which were set too upright. However, at least legroom for rear passengers is relatively decent for average-sized people.
Similarly, the interior of the A1 185bhp is little changed from the base model. You get the same Audi quality feel, with everything solidly put together, and the usual premium sensation that only the Ingolstadt carmaker can offer.
One feature that drew constant praise among passengers was the front seats, which were snug and body-hugging, bolstering the occupants well. While they were noticeably sporty in nature, they were not at all uncomfortable.
The same can't be said for the back seats however, which were set too upright. However, at least legroom for rear passengers is relatively decent for average-sized people.
Equipment-wise, the A1 185bhp comes with the same impressive list as its brother, with the only extras being the keyless entry, Xenon headlights with washers, and the Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) system which includes satellite-navigation and the Bose sound system. It should be noted however, that all of these are part of the S line package which can also be specified for the 122bhp version.
Despite that, there are still some features absent which would have made the A1 experience a whole lot more enjoyable if they were available. Electric seats for one would have been nice, while a reverse camera, although not really necessary for a car of its size, might be a worthwhile addition, considering the car's retail price.
Despite that, there are still some features absent which would have made the A1 experience a whole lot more enjoyable if they were available. Electric seats for one would have been nice, while a reverse camera, although not really necessary for a car of its size, might be a worthwhile addition, considering the car's retail price.
|
The Drive
The standard A1 with 122bhp already feels relatively perky, so one would expect that with an extra 63 horsepower, the A1 185bhp would provide bahn-storming performance.
And it does. Off the line, the car rockets you to triple digit speeds and beyond in a flash. Drop the 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox, which shifts cogs seamlessly as you power along, into Sport mode, and you can feel yourself being pushed back into your seat, as the speedometer sweeps across the dial easily.
However, and it is an unfortunate however, the car's chassis seems to be not quite in tune with the engine. Sending 185bhp down solely to the front wheels results in quite evident torque steer, and you can feel the tyres squirming and struggling to put the power down as you floor the accelerator. If ever a car needs Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, this car is it.
If you manage to control your right foot however, the A1 185bhp rewards you with brisk performance, together with a nice, rorty engine sound from the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine. The throttle response is also fairly sensitive, although the brakes could be a bit better in terms of scrubbing off speed quickly. It really is a hyperactive little beast.
The standard A1 with 122bhp already feels relatively perky, so one would expect that with an extra 63 horsepower, the A1 185bhp would provide bahn-storming performance.
And it does. Off the line, the car rockets you to triple digit speeds and beyond in a flash. Drop the 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox, which shifts cogs seamlessly as you power along, into Sport mode, and you can feel yourself being pushed back into your seat, as the speedometer sweeps across the dial easily.
However, and it is an unfortunate however, the car's chassis seems to be not quite in tune with the engine. Sending 185bhp down solely to the front wheels results in quite evident torque steer, and you can feel the tyres squirming and struggling to put the power down as you floor the accelerator. If ever a car needs Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, this car is it.
If you manage to control your right foot however, the A1 185bhp rewards you with brisk performance, together with a nice, rorty engine sound from the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine. The throttle response is also fairly sensitive, although the brakes could be a bit better in terms of scrubbing off speed quickly. It really is a hyperactive little beast.
Going into corners, the A1 185bhp displays the same nimble and poised handling as its lesser-powered brother. The steering is direct and precise, and it provides for the kind of point-and-go driving experience that makes a hot hatch such great entertainment.
But that sort of fun comes at the expense of ride comfort though, with the stiffer S line suspension feeling rather firm and a little choppy at speed. The car is still fairly tolerable at decent speeds over most well-paved roads though.
Conclusion
The debate over whether more power equates to a better car will forever rage on, but seasoned enthusiasts will know better that sometimes, you don't need massive horsepower to give you loads of driving fun. As the famous line goes, power is nothing without control.
That said, if the Audi A1 185bhp is an indication of what a future hot performance A1 model is like, then we can't wait for the S1 to appear. Audi's premium hatchback already has most of the right boxes ticked in the recipe for a superb driving pocket rocket, and all it needs now is the proper set-up to match.
Bring it on, I say.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
But that sort of fun comes at the expense of ride comfort though, with the stiffer S line suspension feeling rather firm and a little choppy at speed. The car is still fairly tolerable at decent speeds over most well-paved roads though.
Conclusion
The debate over whether more power equates to a better car will forever rage on, but seasoned enthusiasts will know better that sometimes, you don't need massive horsepower to give you loads of driving fun. As the famous line goes, power is nothing without control.
That said, if the Audi A1 185bhp is an indication of what a future hot performance A1 model is like, then we can't wait for the S1 to appear. Audi's premium hatchback already has most of the right boxes ticked in the recipe for a superb driving pocket rocket, and all it needs now is the proper set-up to match.
Bring it on, I say.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Photos by Julian Kho
Also read our comparison article on:
Audi A1 1.4 TFSI [122bhp] (A) vs MINI Cooper 2014 1.5 (A)
Car Information
Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S-Line [185bhp] (A)
CAT A|Petrol|16.9km/L
Horsepower
138kW (185 bhp)
Torque
250 Nm
Acceleration
-
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
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