Car Reviews > Audi > A1 > Audi A1 1.6 TDI Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Prices: £17,865
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive Power: 104 bhp
0-62 mph: 10.5 seconds
Top Speed: 118 miles per hour
Economy: 74.3 miles per gallon
Emissions: 99g per kilometre
Equipment: Climate control, automatic wipers, GPS, automatic lights, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys, electric windows
On Sale: Now

The classy Audi A1 finally gets to add CO2 emissions of as low 99g per kilometre to its list of many talents.

Grown-up driving dynamics, an eye-catching appearance and one of the finest cabins in its class, the Audi A1 has it all, almost.

Until just recently, however, one thing that has been missing is the ability to give off CO2 emissions of less than 99g per kilometre, which would make the vehicle exempt from road tax in the United Kingdom. The good news now, however, is that Audi has finally changed all that and that that threshold has been well and truly broken by the all 1.6-litre TDIs. With that barrier broken, does that then mean that the A1 is now the very definition of a perfect all-rounder?

Audi has altered the fuel and engine management systems in order to slash 6g per kilometre from the original emissions figure, and while they may be small tweaks, they make a big difference to the running costs. In addition to the £20 now saved on road tax, drivers in London will also no longer be forced to pay the daily £20 Congestion Charge. Fuel economy has also been improved, rising to 74.3 miles per gallon from its previous figure of 70.6 miles per gallon, but the good news is that one thing that has not been changed is the list price.

The engine offers a bhp rating of 104 as well as a torque figure of 250 Nm, which is available from 1500 revs per minute, making it ideal for driving and overtaking in town. Those figures also mean it is capable of going from 0-62 miles per hour in 10.5 seconds. The 5-speed manual engine is very slick and thoroughly enjoyable to use around town.

In comparison to the petrol A1, the diesel does seem a bit on the noisy side, especially on start up, although it is in truth no noisier than any of its competitors and it does quiet down somewhat once you begin cruising around. Besides, once you are on the motorway, the noise is drowned out by the roar of the tyres.

The only other issue of note is the ride, which may be a little too firm for some people. The sports suspension which is fitted as standard to all S line models appears to particularly emphasise rough roads and pot holes, while the 17-inch alloy wheels, while terrific to look at, aren’t really much help either.

It is easy to put up with these minor gripes, however, as inside the A1 presents itself as such a luxurious and premium package. The cabin is without a doubt the best in its class in terms of design, layout and materials and it is not difficult to imagine that you are driving a bigger Audi, although the occasionally noisy engine and harsh ride do their best to remind you otherwise.

On the upside, the handling is as grown-up as you would probably expect from an Audi, albeit not as much as fun as it is in the Ford Fiesta. The steering is well weighted and ideal for inspiring confidence when taking corners, while the lack of body roll and strong grip make for a very capable vehicle.

by Autoweb