PRESS RELEASE
The A1 is a true Audi – it is both the premium option and the sportiest automobile in the small compacts class. It comes with powerful, highly efficient engines and an agile chassis, and delights with an emotional design and excellent fit and finish. The A1 has a broad portfolio of advanced technologies on board; its infotainment system, in particular, sets new standards in the class.
As the newcomer in the compact segment, the A1 appeals primarily to young, lifestyle-oriented customers, offering them a high degree of freedom for individual design. Audi's latest will hit the streets this summer with a base price of around 16,000 euros.
Drivetrain (performance data are provisional figures)
Audi will initially offer the A1 with four engines. The two TFSI gasoline engines and the two TDI diesels cover a power range from 63 kW (86 hp) to 90 kW
(122 hp). Each of them is state-of-the-art.
All of the engines employ direct fuel injection and turbocharging. This downsizing concept coupled with technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform give them tremendous power with minimal fuel consumption ranging from 3.8 to 5.4 liters per 100 km (43.56 – 61.90 US mpg).
The entry-level gasoline engine is the new 1.2 TFSI. It generates 63 kW (86 hp) and produces its peak torque of 160 Nm (118.01 lb-ft) already between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. Coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, the four-cylinder accelerates the A1 from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 12.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 179 km/h (111.23 mph). In the EU driving cycle, it consumes only 5.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (46.12 US mpg), which corresponds to only 119 grams of CO2/km (191.51g/mile).
Downsizing from Audi: turbocharging instead of displacement
The newly developed four-cylinder exemplifies the Audi philosophy of downsizing, the substitution of turbocharging for volume. The engine with two-valves per cylinder displaces only 1,197 cc and has been rigorously optimized for low weight and low friction. Its cast aluminum crankcase has its own cooling loop separate from the cylinder head. The water in the block is not circulated immediately after the engine is started, enabling the engine to come up to temperature more quickly and shortening the phase of increase frictional resistance due to cold oil.
The 1.4 TFSI ups the ante with 90 kW (122 hp). Its peak torque of 200 Nm (147.51 lb-ft) is continuously available between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. A turbocharger with a water-cooled intercooler pressurizes the 1,390 cc engine with four valves per cylinder.
Together with the seven-speed S tronic, the 1.4 TFSI gets the A1 up to highway speed in 9.1 seconds. Top speed is 200 km/h (124.27 mph). The standard six-speed manual transmission bumps the time for the sprint to 9.2 seconds, but does not affect top speed. Average fuel consumption is just 5.1 and 5.4 liters/100 km (43.56 and 46.12 US mpg), respectively, in the EU test cycle.
The power output of the new 1.6 TDI comes from a displacement of 1,598 cc. Internal friction in the compact four-cylinder has been systematically minimized. Audi offers two versions of this engine. The more powerful 1.6 TDI unit produces 77 kW (105 hp) and 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, and is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. The 16-valve engine accelerates the A1 powerfully through the standard sprint in 10.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 187 km/h (116.20 mph) while consuming an average of just 3.9 liters/100 km (60.31 US mpg).
The second version of the 1.6 TDI generates 66 kW (90 hp) and 230 Nm (169.64 lb-ft) of torque between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm. Coupled with the five-speed manual transmission, it accelerates the A1 from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 12.2 seconds. Its reaches a top speed of 179 km/h (111.23 mph) and offers exemplary fuel economy of 3.8 liters/100 km (61.90 US mpg), which corresponds to 99 grams of CO2/km (159.33 g/mile).
All four engines in the A1 use a technology from the Audi modular efficiency platform – the recuperation system uses an intelligent voltage controller for the generator to recover energy during the braking and coasting phases and store it temporarily in the battery. The next time the car accelerates, this energy flows back into the on-board electrical system, relieving the load on the generator.
The four engines also come standard with a second technology from the Audi modular efficiency platform – the start-stop system. This turns the engine off when the car is at rest, if the gear selector lever is in neutral and the driver's foot has left the clutch pedal. Start-stop then turns the engine back on as soon as the clutch pedal is depressed - all the while functioning quietly, conveniently, and quickly.