SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Frills optional: 2020 Audi A1 35 Sportback

Feels just right

Posted: October 26, 2019

The numbers
Base prices of A1, 35 TFSI S Tronic models range from R429 900 to R458 900
Engine: 1498 cc, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder turbopetrol
Power: 110 kW between 5000 and 6000 rpm
Torque: 250 Nm between 1500 and 3500 rpm
Revs at 120 km/h in top: About 2200 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 7.7 seconds
Top speed: 222 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.1 l/100 km
Tank: 40 litres
Luggage: 335 – 1090 litres
Ground clearance: 121 mm
Turning circle: 10.5 metres
Audi Freeway Plan: 5 years / 100 000 km

The last of Audi SA’s old-spec A1s eased off a showroom floor in April 2019, making way for:
•    A new face
•    New nomenclature
•    New, add-on option packages
•    Two new engines and one power boost

The front view presents squarer headlamps; a more prominent grille with larger dummy vents on either side; revised lower intake and, just below the bonnet, three air slits going nowhere; just evoking memories of the fire-breathing original quattro.

Around back you will find a redesigned tailgate, new lights and a lower panel with two more fake air inlets.

The interior is most changed of all with new steering wheel, reshaped instrument binnacle, strip air vents and a neatly built-in touchscreen to replace the old, tablet-styled device on top of the dash.

Falling back in line, A1 adopts Audi’s new number codes denoting power and torque output ranges – “25” for little ones and “55” on muscular A8s. Heavyweights with R or S in their titles are exempted.

As for option packages, these will in future be function-oriented to simplify choices:
•    Comfort adds cruise control, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and boot hardware,
•    Technology offers 10.25” virtual cockpit, smartphone interface and improved sound kit,
•    Sport provides sports seats, D-shaped steering wheel, black headlining and Drive Select,
•    Lights, for introductory models, covers LED head- and tail-lamps, dynamic indicators and dipping interior mirror,
•    S Line Interior adds sports seats, S Line emblems, black headlining, manually adjustable lumbar support, special scuff plates, stainless steel pedals and a choice of upholstery upgrades.
 
Apart from the 999-cc triple gaining a power boost from 70 kW to 85 and lugging power increased from 160 Nm to 200, the 1.4 TFSI motor makes way for a new 1.5 TFSI developing 110 kW and 250 Nm while the "40" model gets an uprated 2.0-litre mill making 147 kW and 320 Nm.

SA’s A1 model range for 2020 presently consists of Standard, Advanced and S Line versions of 30 TFSI and 35 TFSI with seven-speed dual clutch gearboxes and the 40 TFSI, with six-speed S Tronic, that's available in S Line only.

Standard models provide 15” alloy wheels; spacesaver spare; tyre pressure monitoring; ESC; hill start; standard suspension; start-and-stop with regenerative braking; halogen headlights; rain- and light sensors; underbody protection; powered and heated wing mirrors; digital instruments; fabric seats; 8.8” media centre with six speakers, voice recognition and Bluetooth interface; manual air conditioning; height adjustable front seats and three i-Size mounting sets for baby chairs.

Advanced specification adds 16” wheels to the 30 model or 17-inch versions to the 35, along with different bumpers, door sill inserts and colours for diffuser, spoiler, grille and air intakes.

S Line adds different appearance items and sportier suspension. We're awaiting technical details on that, but the end result is pleasantly firm without being excessive.

The new 1498 cc, EA211 EVO-series motor uses a variable geometry turbocharger, electronically controlled charge-air cooling, 350-bar injectors and an integrated exhaust manifold. VW/Audi claims 10-percent efficiency gains versus the previous 1.4-litre unit and consumption reduced by about one litre per 100 kilometres.

The body, built on a newer platform, is 75 mm longer on a wheelbase stretched by 94 mm, as wide as before and stands 7 mm lower. What this means is greater comfort for backseat passengers around six feet tall and 65 litres more boot space. This is 760 mm long and a metre wide between the arches. Lifting height is about 69 cm and the well is eight cm deep with the baseboard on its upper setting or 18 when lowered. Maximum capacity is 335 litres. The spare is a spacesaver.

Glass area seemed more generous than we remembered it, HVAC and audio controls are neatly set out and easy to use, the engine offers all the power a family person could conceivably need, it turns on a button and the whole package feels solid. We also appreciated the “proper” hand brake and resting pad for the left foot.

Those in the back, while finding more space than before, might whine about having neither seatback pockets nor armrest and regarding rather small door bins. Those in front aren’t much bigger, while the oddments box under the console armrest is tiny.

On the whole, however, this A1 is solid, compact without being claustrophobic, goes like a student after free beer, is decently economical, stops well, steers easily and feels just right. We could comfortably live with one.

Test car from Audi SA press fleet

We drove an old series A1 Sportback with the 1.4T motor in 2015

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.