2019 Audi A1

The second-generation Audi A1 is finally here. Initially launched as a small-sized, three-door, entry-level ‘Sportback’ in 2010, Audi then went on to give it five doors in 2011. The A1 has been a successful product for Audi, and is targeted to customers who prefer an “ideal companion for an urban lifestyle." After six years, the second-gen makes its debut, and it definitely looks fresh and sharper than ever.

2019 Audi A1

Specifications

Make: Array
Model: 2019 Audi A1

2019 Audi A1 Exterior

The A1 measures 13.2 feet (4.03 meters) in length, 5.7 feet (1.74 meters) in width, and 4.6 feet (1.41 meters) in height. The dimensions make it a perfect car for your daily commute as well as for a comfortable highway drive. This time around, the A1 gets a black roof and sloping roofline, which gives it a much better sportier look. The second-gen A1 is a looker, without a doubt. The front gets quite a few changes; larger air intakes, new DRL LEDs, smoked headlamps, and a slim vent with three slats just above the trademark Audi grille – which pays homage to Audi’s rally icon, the Sport Quattro.

The rear looks much sharper, thanks to the tail light design. The black plastic cladding is much more than the first-gen, which gives the car a crossover kind of a feel, and not that of an overgrown hatch. The sides get a lot more creases, unlike the previous A1’s plain-jane look.

Audi has different wheel sizes for different variants. The base trim gets 15-inch wheels, while the 18-inch wheels are available in black and platinum grey shades on the top S Line trim. The A1 comes in eleven different colors! What’s even better is that the roof, side sills, mirror housings, etc., can be optionally finished in contrasting colors! Audi has gone all the way to make sure the car looks as smart as possible.

2019 Audi A1 Exterior Dimensions

Length	13.2 feet (4.03 meters)
Width	5.7 feet (1.74 meters)
Height	4.6 feet (1.41 meters)

2019 Audi A1 Interior Design

Enter the A1, and the first thing you’ll notice is the new dashboard design. Audi has ditched the circular air vents in favor of the vertical ones. The floating Infotainment System now finds a permanent place in the middle; just above the AC controls. Both the Infotainment System and the AC controls are slightly tilted towards the driver at a 13-degree angle; however, they are not level and look rather unaligned. The Sportback gets an all-digital instrument cluster and a multifunction steering wheel.

The 2019 A1 is a more technology-oriented car this time. It’s the latest vehicle in the Audi stable to adopt Audi’s new Virtual Cockpit styling instead of the floating tablet. The top trim gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the lower trims get an 8.8-inch screen (other than the base model, which gets none). The system gets Audi Connect, which features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. The navigation gets four yearly updates as well.

The A1 now has a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, which is clearly visible inside the cabin. The boot space is also increased to 11.83 cubic-feet (335 liters,) which can help you plan longer trips with more luggage. On the safety front, the A1 gets features like lane departure warning, pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

2019 Audi A1 Drivetrain and Performance

The car comes with an array of engine options mated to a front-wheel-drive system - a 1.0-liter, turbocharged, three-cylinder in two different states of tune. It t churns out 94 or 114 horsepower (70 kW and 85 kW.) There's also a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower (110 kW,) and there's a top-of-the-line, 2.0-liter that generates 197 horsepower (147 kW.) While the former two can be availed with either a six-speed manual or an S-Tronic dual clutch transmission, the latter is available only with the automatic transmission. The A1 also gets four driving modes – Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency, and Individual.

The performance specs haven’t been revealed yet, but the previously featured 1.4-liter petrol engine, with 182 horses on the tap, had a top speed of 141 miles per hour (227 km/h) and could sprint to 62.1 mph (100 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. This is the closest in terms of horsepower to the second-generation, so we expect the new A1 to shave off a few more milliseconds.

Pricing

Although the UK prices are yet to be confirmed, it is priced around €20,000 in Germany (approx. £17,500 or $23,000.) The price is on par with the outgoing model and is significantly lower than the competition; thus, making it a complete package for people looking for a value-for-money luxury car. In fact, throw in a couple of extra grand and you’ll get yourself a fully-loaded, well-packaged car for the price of a base Countryman.

Competition

The Mini Cooper Countryman

The Countryman was launched around the same time as the A1 and is largely similar in all aspects. The Mini Cooper Countryman holds the baton in terms of performance; with its ‘weakest’ engine being a 1.5-liter unit that produces 134 horsepower. However, Mini’s most powerful engine is a 2.0-liter diesel unit that produces 228 horses; and A1 has no diesel powertrain. So, it’s up to you to decide if it’s a fair comparison or not. The Countryman Classic itself starts around £23,345 (It's priced at $27,500 here); which is much higher than the A1.

Read our full review on the 2018 Mini Cooper Countryman.

BMW 1 Series Hatchback

The 1 Series Hatchback lineup accounts for one-fifth of BMW’s sales, which itself is a testimony to its success. Furthermore, this also ignites the BMW vs. Audi war. It’s been around for more than a decade and excels beyond the A1 and the Countryman in every aspect, other than the interior space and the price. The most powerful engine here is a monstrous six-cylinder, turbocharged, engine that produces 335 horses! This one retails from £22405 (approx S30,000). However, if you’ve got the moolah and can compromise on the space, this should be your pick!

Read our full review on the 2018 BMW 1 Series Hatchback

Our Take

The A1 is a notch above its predecessor in almost all aspects, other than its drivetrain. While this could serve just fine to the general public, it will be a deal breaker for enthusiasts. Even though there are powerful engine options available, a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine for a car that costs upwards of $23,000 is a joke. Hatchbacks half its price get better engines. And, no matter how refined the three-cylinder engine is, it is no match to the four-cylinder units. As they say, there’s no replacement for displacement.

On the other hand, the car has improved in every other department. The A1 has a sturdy build with good fit and finesse. It looks much sharper than the previous generation and will certainly age gracefully. The interior feels much more futuristic and will keep tech-savvy occupants happy. The new Audi A1 will be sold as a 2019 model year vehicle, so it expected to go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2018. As mentioned earlier, the A1 is a big bang for the buck when compared to the Countryman and Series 1 hatchback. This entry-level Audi has no reason to not succeed whatsoever. Let us know your thoughts on the 2019 Audi A1 in the comments section below.