Photo: Screenshot from YouTube
As usual, we've discovered something in the official configurators that a major manufacturer is too ashamed of to write a press statement about it. It's a jungle out there for us regular buyers, and Audi has introduced a new bottom feeder in the form of the A1 1.0 TFSI with 82 PS.
I first heard about this engine a couple of months ago on a Portuguese website and ignored it as a piece of gum on my shoe. "It can't be true, Audi would never offer less power than Volkswagen and Skoda," I thought to myself.
But it has, as the configurator for both the A1 3-door and the more popular Sportback proves. Sometime in the last month or so, Audi has added a 3-cylinder engine with just 82 horsepower. That makes it only 2 hp better than a Ford Fiesta 1.0 (non-turbo; it's a rare configuration). It also gives this unit 7 hp more than a VW Up! (also non-turbo).
The upside is that you get 160 Nm of torque because of that little "screw." but that's not exactly mind-blowing. This basic A1 is only available with a stick, will take 12.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h and maxes out at 177 km/h.
While fuel economy and CO2 emissions are the same as those of the 95 PS version of the 1.0 TFSI, the only major upside is the price of €15,950, making this the cheapest Audi right now and possibly forever. I see it as basic Starbucks coffee - the brand without any of the benefits at more money than it's worth. But don't let me stop you from buying one.
Something else I've noticed is that the A1 engine range is different from what it was supposed to be. When the facelift was announced, a 1.8-liter turbo with the same output as in the Polo GTI was announced. It was meant to replace the 1.4 TFSI with a turbo and supercharger, but it's been deleted from the configurator.
The future of the small European car really is downsizing, and I don't feel so hot about that.
Update: We've made a slight error. The 1.8 TFSI is available, but you have to order the A1 with the Sport line first. The out is indeed the same 192 PS and 250 Nm of torque as on the Polo GTI, but you can't have it with a manual, only the S tronic.
But it has, as the configurator for both the A1 3-door and the more popular Sportback proves. Sometime in the last month or so, Audi has added a 3-cylinder engine with just 82 horsepower. That makes it only 2 hp better than a Ford Fiesta 1.0 (non-turbo; it's a rare configuration). It also gives this unit 7 hp more than a VW Up! (also non-turbo).
The upside is that you get 160 Nm of torque because of that little "screw." but that's not exactly mind-blowing. This basic A1 is only available with a stick, will take 12.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h and maxes out at 177 km/h.
While fuel economy and CO2 emissions are the same as those of the 95 PS version of the 1.0 TFSI, the only major upside is the price of €15,950, making this the cheapest Audi right now and possibly forever. I see it as basic Starbucks coffee - the brand without any of the benefits at more money than it's worth. But don't let me stop you from buying one.
Something else I've noticed is that the A1 engine range is different from what it was supposed to be. When the facelift was announced, a 1.8-liter turbo with the same output as in the Polo GTI was announced. It was meant to replace the 1.4 TFSI with a turbo and supercharger, but it's been deleted from the configurator.
The future of the small European car really is downsizing, and I don't feel so hot about that.
Update: We've made a slight error. The 1.8 TFSI is available, but you have to order the A1 with the Sport line first. The out is indeed the same 192 PS and 250 Nm of torque as on the Polo GTI, but you can't have it with a manual, only the S tronic.
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