Design and Build

The A1 Sportback has grown significantly in length in this second generation form - extended by 56mm: it now measures a fraction over 4m. Width and height remain much the same as part of a low-slung stance with short overhangs. The wide, low-placed Singleframe grille and the implied side air inlets dominate the distinctive front, above which are three flat bonnet slits which pay homage to the Sport quattro, the brand's rally icon from 1984.  From the side, there's a wide, flat sloping C-pillar that seems to push the car forward even while standing still. The roof contrast line, which is available in two dark colours, ends above the C-pillar. There are smarter 3D-style rear lights too. And inside? Well there's quite a spacious cabin with classy design highlighted by a fully digital instrument cluster with a high-resolution 10.25-inch display and a multifunction steering wheel. The virtual cockpit TFT instrument display screen that we're now familiar from other Audi models is optional for A1 buyers and offers an extended range of functions such as animated navigation maps and graphics of some driver assistance systems in the driver's direct field of vision. Adults in the rear seats enjoy reasonable head and leg room by supermini standards. Out back, luggage capacity is rated at 335-litres, and with the rear seats folded down, this increases to 1,090-litres.

Market and Model

Pricing is very definitely at the premium end of what you'd pay for a supermini, ranging from around £21,500 right up to around £28,000 bracket for the single five-door body style now on offer. For our market, there are 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Black Edition' trim options. With 'S line' trim, you get a more dynamic look courtesy of larger air inlets, additional sill trims, plus an elongated slit centrally below the bonnet with two fins and a larger rear wing. Buyers get a choice of ten colours which, as an option, can be combined with a contrasting roof colour extending from the A-pillar to the roof edge spoiler. The exterior mirror housings, the side front spoiler lips and the side sills are also available in a contrasting colour.  All versions can be equipped with the optional Navigation Pack or Technology Pack, the former adding hard disc-based MMI Navigation plus with a 10.1-inch MMI touch screen and the higher specification Audi Virtual Cockpit, and the latter both of the above plus the various internet-based services offered by Audi connect and Audi Phone Box wireless charging functionality. As for safety, well 'Audi pre sense front' autonomous braking and lane departure warning both now come as standard.

Cost of Ownership

Audi has concentrated on improving the efficiency in this A1 Sportback, and nowhere is that more clearly demonstrated than with the 1.0 TFSI engine models. This three-pot 1.0-litre engine in the 25 TFSI model is capable of returning 51.4mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and 124g/km of WLTP-rated CO2. In 116PS guise with the '30 TFSI' variant, this unit can manage WLTP figures of up to 53.3mpg and up to 120g/km. The 1.5-litre TFSI petrol unit in the 35 TFSI version doesn't do too badly either, managing WLTP readings of 47.1mpg and 137g/km of CO2. The evolutionary styling of this second generation model isn't going to send residuals of older A1s into a flatspin either, which will come as some relief if you're an existing owner, and should help protect the value of your trade in if you fancied chopping it in against a new version. As for maintenance, well servicing your A1 Sportback should be no more taxing than is the case with one of the company's larger cars. As usual with Audi models, there's a choice of either a 'Fixed' or a 'Flexible' servicing regime, the choice between the two depending on the extent of your likely annual mileage.

Summary

If you've ever wondered just how much style and luxury is really possible in a really small car, then it's worth trying one of these. In distilling the essence of 'Audi-ness' into something this compact, the German brand continues to set this A1 Sportback apart in the supermini segment, offering a balance between sportiness, quality and comfort that rivals are still struggling to match. True, ground-breaking technology isn't on the agenda here, but as Audi has already discovered, there's a place for that and it probably isn't in this very price-conscious sector of the market. What's more important is that if you climb out of an expensive A4 or A6 into an A1 costing half as much, the feeling is very much the same In fact, that's even more the case with this MK2 model with its smarter finish and hi-tech Audi connect infotainment options. All right, so in overall terms, the revisions made to this supermini aren't especially far-reaching, but then they didn't really need to be. There's still nothing else in this segment that's quite as polished and premium. The A1 then, remains a very expensive-feeling car that for you, may well be just about affordable. Exactly as Audi promised.