What is it?
The Audi A1 typifies the current market trend for ‘premium downsizing’, small cars offering many of the luxuries of their much larger siblings in a more compact package. But the premium downsizing trend in this latest version of the A1 only applies from the engine bay backwards, as over the front wheels sits a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine.
This 141bhp oil-burner is anything but downsized, and offers a set of big car performance figures as a result. It can crack 0-62mph in 8.2sec and reach a top speed of 135mph, but at the same time it offers small car economy figures of 68.9mpg and 108g/km.
What’s it like?
Great on paper, at least. Shame this doesn’t really transfer to an impressive drive. One of the great appeals of smaller-engined A1s is the way they blend peppy performance with agile handling. While the 2.0 TDI’s 236lb ft peak torque makes this A1 undeniably quick in a straight line, its significant trade-off is an increased kerb weight that harms the ride, handling and steering.
Join the debate
McBaine
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
Curious... compared to this version of the A1, the Seat Ibiza 2.0 TDi FR seemed to get a slightly more favourable review back in 2010:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Seat-Ibiza-2.0-TDI-CR-FR/247379/
I haven't driven either car myself, but both being VAG products with the same engine, similar set-up (FR vs Sport) etc., I can't imagine there would be a massive difference between the Ibiza and A1.
Given the choice between the two, I would probably go for the Audi purely for the fact that the residuals are likely to be better than the Seat, plus the list price is very close (£17,480 for the Ibiza vs £17,945 for the A1).
superstevie
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
141bhp and under 110g/co2 is pretty good.
Fidji
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
I would like to see the 170bhp version of this engine in the A1. It should achieve more or less the same economy figures as this one, but could frighten the 185bhp A1 in a straight line.
Marv
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
I currently drive an A1 1.6TDI Sport which I love on the twisties, but find it a little lacking on motorways. Trying to keep pace with UK motorway traffic means I rarely get close to the published 74mpg. On my weekly journeys between Chester and Bournemouth the avg displayed is between 48 and 52 mpg on motorways, but once I get onto fast flowing A roads than can increase to a displayed 62mpg. I no longer think I am missing out now that I've read this road test though. I'll keep the better steering feel and handling.
"Why is http://www.nanoflowcell.com not getting more media attention? It could be the future... Now!"
rodenal
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
curiously slow given the power to weight - I suspect the 0-60 doesn't tell the full story.
Flash Harry
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
In view of the recent downsizing of engines this seems a backward step by Audi.The backward step in ride and handling just confirms it too.
julianphillips
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
What is the difference between primary ride and secondary ride?
jerry99
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
Does the bigger engine with more torque really cause all of these issues?
Perhaps it just shows up the limitations in the floor plan and driveline design, which are easily masked with a smaller engine.
Audi's generally seem to work best when they have small engines.
Mario B
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
[quote Flash Harry]In view of the recent downsizing of engines this seems a backward step by Audi.The backward step in ride and handling just confirms it too.[/quote] Mine too. Almost as if the halo is slipping a bit.
Addy Go Fast
Re: Audi A1 2.0 TDI Sport
[quote Marv]I currently drive an A1 1.6TDI Sport which I love on the twisties, but find it a little lacking on motorways. Trying to keep pace with UK motorway traffic means I rarely get close to the published 74mpg. On my weekly journeys between Chester and Bournemouth the avg displayed is between 48 and 52 mpg on motorways, but once I get onto fast flowing A roads than can increase to a displayed 62mpg. I no longer think I am missing out now that I've read this road test though. I'll keep the better steering feel and handling[/quote]
What made you decide to choose the A1 out of interest? I don't know anyone with one so I was just interested to see why you chose it over for example the Polo, Ibiza or Fabia?
Pages
Add your comment