Published:
17 June 2024The 148bhp 1.4 TFSI engined car was the most potent Audi A1 available throughout the majority of its life. That gives it Mini Cooper S troubling pace (0-62mph takes 6.7sec), with enough on-demand acceleration to make overtaking a cinch. The caveat is that you need to be prepared to work the engine to get this performance.
If most of your driving is done in town the three-pot 1.0 is more than adequate; 118lb ft of torque is available from 1500rpm, so the A1 picks up keenly from low revs. However, at higher speeds and higher revs, the smaller engine feels more restricted. It’s not exactly slow, but 0-62mph in 11.7sec isn’t brisk, either.
The 1.6 TDI unit is also not the motor of choice if you want entertainment. Long gearing means it can feel quite underpowered, but with familiarity it can be worked harder to offer perfectly acceptable performance. The upside to this occasional lethargy is 74.3mpg combined and just 99g/km of C02. It really is the best A1 for high-mileage users, but we would recommend any of the petrols for the lower-mileage private buyer.
With plenty of rubber for a small car, braking performance is strong. The A1 actually recorded a shorter stopping distance on MIRA’s fully wet track than on the damp and greasy ‘dry’ surface.
