- High standard of interior fit and finish
- A1 Sport is a pocket rocket
- Unmistakable Audi styling
- Ride deteriorates with larger wheels
- Small boot
- Polo is better value
Review: Audi 8XA.I A1 Sportback (2012-15)
Overview
Released in June 2012, the Audi 8XA A1 Sportback was a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Belgium, Brussels, the front-wheel drive Audi A1 Sportback was initially available with 1.2 TFSI, 1.4 TFSI, 1.6 TDI and 1.4 TFSI engines; the range also included Attraction, Ambition and Sport editions. The full range is given in the table below.
| Variant | Editions | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 TFSI | Attraction, Ambition |
1.2-litre turbo CBZA petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 63 kW at 4800 rpm | 160 Nm at 1500-3500 rpm |
| 1.4 TFSI | Attraction, Ambition | 1.4-litre turbo CAXA petrol I4 |
6sp man., 7sp DCT |
90 kW at 5000 rpm | 200 Nm at 1500-4000 rpm |
| 1.6 TDI | Attraction, Ambition |
1.6-litre CAYB turbo-diesel I4 | 5sp man., 7sp DCT |
66 kW at 4200 rpm | 230 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm |
| 1.4 TFSI | Sport | 1.4-litre CAVG/CTHG super- and turbo-charged petrol I4 | 7sp DCT | 136 kW at 6200 rpm | 250 Nm at 1500-4000 rpm |
Body and dimensions
The Audi A1 Sportback was based on Volkswagen’s PQ25 platform which also underpinned the three-door Audi 8X1 A1 and Volkswagen Mk.5 Polo . Compared to three-door 8X1 A1 , the A1 Sportback was the same length (at 3954 mm), 6 mm wider (1746 mm) and 6 mm taller (1422 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2469 mm). Despite the comparable dimensions, however, the B-pillar was moved forward by 230 mm to accommodate the rear doors.
The luggage compartment for the A1 Sportback was 270 litres, though cargo capacity increased to 920 litres when the rear seats were folded.
Suspension and steering
The Audi A1 Sportback had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle. Furthermore, the 8XA.I A1 Sportback had electrohydraulic steering with a ratio of 14.8:1.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Audi A1 Sportback included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with double pretensioners.
The Audi A1 Sportback was also equipped with an electronic differential lock (EDL); if there was a loss of traction when cornering, the EDL could brake the inside front wheel via the electronic stability control system to transfer torque to the opposing front wheel.
Euro NCAP testing
In Euro NCAP testing , the related Audi 8XA A1 1.2 TFSI received a five star safety rating which included a 90 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver. Chest protection was rated as marginal in the side impact test, but adequate in the pole test. Under ANCAP’s methodology, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.75 out of 37.
Features: A1 Sportback Attraction and Ambition
Standard features for the Audi A1 Sportback Attraction included 15-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker stereo with CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary input (3.5 mm) and Bluetooth audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser.
As standard, all A1 Sportbacks were fitted with an electronic limited slip differential.
The A1 Sportback Ambition was equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels with sports suspension, contoured front sports seats, front fog lights and ‘Driver Information System’.
Features: A1 Sportback Sport
The Audi A1 Sportback Sport was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels (with the same sports suspension as the Ambition), climate control air conditioning, contoured sports seats, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, steering wheel gearshift paddles, xenon headlights with LED running lights, rear parking sensors, keyless entry, folding door mirrors and ambient lighting. Visually, the Sport could be identified by its more aggressive front bumper with lower air intakes, rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler.
1.4 TFSI Attraction S Line Competition
In July 2013, two-hundred (200) Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Attraction variants were released with an S Line Competition package. These limited edition S Line Competition models were fitted with the S Line exterior package, 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, LED tail-lights, body-coloured interior air vents, contrasting roof and roof arches and a black exterior styling package.
Related links
- Press Kit: Audi 8XA A1 Sportback (June 2012)
- Specifications: Audi 8XA A1 Sportback (June 2012)
- Specifications: Audi 8XA A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport (June 2012)
Review: Audi 8XA.II A1 Sportback (2015-18)
Overview
Released in Australia in June 2015, the Audi 8XA Series II (8XA.II) A1 Sportback was powered by new or redesigned engines which:
- complied with Euro 6 emissions standards; and,
- had ‘start-stop’ systems which enabled the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic to reduce fuel consumption.
To further reduce fuel consumption, the Audi 8XA.II A1 Sportback had an electric power steering (EPS) system which provided speed-sensitive assistance replaced the previous electrohydraulic system. The 14.8:1 steering ratio, however, was retained.
Visually, the Audi 8XA.II A1 Sportback could be identified by its contoured front bumper, wider single frame grille and wedge-shaped headlights. At the rear, the wider diffuser had a lower profile and there were wedge-shaped LED tail-lights.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 TFSI | 1.0-litre CHZB turbo petrol I3 | 5sp man., 7sp DCT |
70 kW at 5000-5500 rpm | 160 Nm at 1500-3500 rpm |
| 1.4 TFSI Sport | 1.4-litre CZCA turbo petrol I4 | 6sp man., 7sp DCT |
92 kW at 500 rpm | 200 Nm at 1400-400 rpm |
| 1.8 TFSI S line | 1.8-litre DAJB turbo petrol I4 | 7sp DCT | 141 kW at 5400 rpm | 250 Nm at 1250-5300 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to its 8XA.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Audi 8XA.II A1 Sportback was unchanged. The control strategy for the electronic differential lock (EDL), however, was extended to take account of all road friction values.
Features: A1 Sportback 1.0 TFSI
Standard features for the Audi A1 Sportback 1.0 TFSI included 15-inch alloy wheels with a space saver spare wheel, an 80 watt sound system with eight speakers, Multi Media Interface (MMI) with a 6.5-inch colour display, CD player (MP3-compatible), SDHC memory card reader and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, ‘Zeitgeist’ cloth upholstery, cruise control, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, a leather steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
A1 Sportback models with the DCT (Audi’s ‘S tronic’) were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.
Features: A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI
Compared to the 1.0 TFSI, the Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, ‘Tornado’ cloth upholstery, contoured front sports seats and climate control air conditioning. Unique within the range, the A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI was also fitted with front fog lights.
Both the A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI were fitted with the ‘Audi drive select’ system which enabled the driver to select from ‘efficiency’, ‘auto’ and ‘dynamic’ drive modes which varied throttle response, transmission behaviour and the degree of power steering assistance.
The A1 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S line was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels with sport suspension, ‘MMI navigation plus’ with a 6.5-inch high resolution colour display, DVD player, two SDHC memory card readers (up to 32 GB), voice control system and 20 GB hard drive for audio storage, ‘Xenon plus’ headlights with LED daytime running lights and auto-dimming interior mirror. Visually, the A1 Sportback S line could be identified by its colour-contrasting front bumper blade, high-gloss black diffuser and black tailpipe trim.
Technik package
The Audi A1 Sportback 1.0 TFSI and 1.4 TFSI Sport variants could be specified with the optional Technik package which include Audi’s ‘MMI navigation plus’ with a 6.5-inch high resolution colour display, DVD player, two SDHC memory card readers (up to 32 GB), voice control system and 20 GB hard drive for audio storage. The 1.8 TFSI S line, however, was fitted with these features as standard.
Related links
- Specifications: Audi 8XA A1 Sportback (June 2015)
- Audi Australia: Audi A1 Sportback
- Wikipedia.org: Audi A1
