Audi A1 Sportback test drive since 2010 hatchback

Prestigious supermini up to 1,500,000 rubles. Problem of choice

Many believe that the difficulties in choosing a new machine concern only those who are very constrained in the means. What a delusion! Without even experiencing special financial difficulties, you can lose your head in search of your car

Kristina Ionitskaya, an international economist, driving experience for 10 years, travels to Mini, wants a bright, prestigious and compact hatchback for the city, the budget - 1,500,000 rubles.

Image
It is clear that for that kind of money, even about a compact car, but an exceptionally prestigious brand. Democratic brands are not considered.

Style
Perhaps the main quality when choosing a car. First of all, the car should delight the eye, and everything else is nothing more than discussed details ...

Economy
There is no fundamental importance.

Shodal qualities
Of course, I am not a racer, but the clear and sharp sled habits of Mini delight me very much. I would not want to wean from this.

Interior
Design in this case in the first place. I also want the car to be faster in the back row of seats if possible.

Equipment
Above all, safety: pillows and everything that is possible. And, of course, a mandatory car for a prestigious car: electric drives, climate, music ...


We can say that small cars are my weakness. I don’t understand at all how in such a noisy and cramped city as Moscow, you can ride a large sedan or a huge SUV every day. Here, let's say, my husband Mazda CX-7 has a good car, but too, for my taste, overall. So when a few years ago it was the turn to choose a car for me, the big models were not even considered. But I really liked the MAZDA MX-5 RODSTER. So wonderful! Compact and unusual outwardly, he attracted me with a rigid folding roof and the possibility of installing a machine gun, but, having carefully weighed all the pros and cons, I still refused to buy. The fact is that the Mazda Roadster is only double. Let most of the time go by car alone, but from time to time there is a situation when someone needs to give up, throw, capture. Agree, in this situation without the back row of seats, nowhere. Let the sofa be cramped and uncomfortable, but it should be. As a result, I chose Mini, I do not regret at all. The car is just wonderful. Unusual, bright and very gambling in terms of sled habits. Yes, she has a cramped sofa, but, unlike the same MX-5, it is at least there. From what I do not like, I can only note a very strict, uncomfortable suspension. Nevertheless, I planned to replace Mini only with a new generation machine, but recently I learned that Audi also released a similar compact model, also a very respected brand. And before making the final decision, I wanted to see what the baby A1 is capable of.


Audi A1 from 799 000 p.
Selected because: the long -awaited baby is not only the most compact in the Audi family, but also the direct rival of Mini. The cars are intended for the same buyer, which means that we will compare and choose.

Small Audi looks intriguing and unusual. I got used to the large and solid machines of this brand. Say, I personally really like the A5 model solid and elegant. But the unit seems even slightly funny. It seems to be a very small car, but with a difficult character: you just look at the evil grille of the radiator and the predatory squint of the front headlights. An interesting solution was also the racks of the roof, painted in a contrasting main color of the body shade. Unusual, and most importantly catchy. I noticed that this typewriter often looks after apparently, we are not even used to such a small Audi. Although there is a suspicion that as soon as one on the streets becomes more, perhaps the charisma A1 is still lacking in their eyes.

The salon, I must say, is also quite traditional for Audi. Everything is very well performed, yes. In my opinion, decent enough here, I would say even expensive decoration materials, but only the imagination of designers is not felt. It seems that they simply took the salon of the Big Audi, at least the same A5, and banally reduced it in size. It turned out carefully, soundly, but boring, or something ... almost the only bright design element of the air ducts. Stylish, of course, but not enough. But the sofa is clearly more than in my mini. Moreover, oddly enough, even tall passengers could really not be able to accommodate here. And the trunk, even if, in principle, not very large, but still more than in my current car.

And even after the first meters at the wheel, it became clear that the Audi is a very comfortable machine. If Mini shudders with the whole body literally on every crack, then the unit goes much softer along the road. I liked the work of the gearbox. Actually, the Audi switch lever resembles a manual box, but in fact it is a very advanced DSG machine. It has seven steps at once, and Audi switches very quickly and imperceptibly. The dynamics, as it seemed to me, is also better than in Mini, although I repeat once again: speed records for me are not an end in itself.

In general, the Audi A1 did not disappoint. At first glance, it is clear that this is a very serious and high -quality small car. The assembled, quite convenient and spacious for its modest dimensions, a unit is also decently rides decently, and it also stands like mini. Perhaps the only thing that this car lacks a slightly brighter appearance. And still, Audi turned out to be a worthy candidate for the role of the replacement of my current car.

Style
The car looks good, but there are much brighter personalities in this class. On a trie

Shodal qualities
A quick and fairly soft hatchback is a good combination. Fits

Interior
A spacious sofa, not the smallest trunk and a very high build quality. There would also be a design injection ... very good

Economy
A 7 -speed DSG and a 1.4 -liner turbo engine are distinguished by an enviable efficiency of an average of a little more than 5 liters of a pump. Great

Equipment
Not more expensive and not poorer than mini. Excellent


Advantages and disadvantages
+ High -quality and quite spacious for its class, a comfortable suspension, good dynamics.

- Not enough bright design both outside and inside.


Specifications
Mark and model - Audi A1
Dimensions - 3955x1710x1420 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1390 cm3, 122 hp/5000 min -1
Transmission - 7 -speed, automatic
Dynamics - 200 km/h; 9.7 s to 100 km/h



Mini Cooper from 775 000 p.
Selected, because: just as the mountains can only be mountains, so the first generation Mini can only be outlined by the latest model of the prestigious brand. But this is in theory, but how will it be in practice?

While I was trying on Audi, it seemed to me that the unit slowly but surely displaces Mini personal addictions from the hit parade. But as soon as you looked at the new Cooper, everything suddenly turned upside down again to its feet. This is a design, this is an expression, this is a car! Mini seemed to be created in order to conquer at first sight. After all, there is not a single passage or boring detail in it. The designer approach in the best sense of this concept is felt in absolutely everything: from turn signals and gratings of the radiator to wheels and door handles. And how good the rear -view mirrors are lovely! And even simple, it would seem, stickers-strips on the hood are added to the machine of sports charm and chic. Super!

But Mini inside is even more impressive. This is not a simple interior, this is a real masterpiece! How surprising is the huge speedometer-blinker located in the center of the front panel! Incredibly sculptural thing! I don’t know how she has readiness, but she produces the effect that she needs. I also liked the switches made in the style of old aviation toggle switches. If in Audi you just press boring buttons, then in Mini even banal turning on the fog turns into memorable expirins.

This personally is the difference between the two cars presented. Unlike the usual and some civilian Audi A1, Mini seems to be the focus of romance. The chubby bagel of the steering wheel does not want to let go of my hands! Even the design of seats in Cooper is more interesting and unusual than in A1. For me, all this is extremely important.

Of course, the unit is more convenient. Crossing the back row of mini after the Audi sofa, you understand how closer it is! And the comparison of trunk is clearly not in Cooper. The numbers speak for themselves: 160 liters versus 270. But when choosing such a self -egoistic machine as a prestigious city hatchback, practicality fades into the background.

Yes, Mini loses to acceleration to hundreds and at the maximum wiper, but is it so important in the end? The main thing is Cooper is a much more emotional and bright thing, and if you take into account the approximate equality in matters of price and equipment, I seem to have already made my choice.


Style
Not a car, but a continuous delight! Super

Shodal qualities
In dynamics, it is slightly inferior to the opponent, but the controllability of Mini is sharper and clearer. Good

Interior
The magnificent design outweighs both the cramped sofa and a modest trunk. Excellent

Economy
Mini is more voracious than Audi, well, and let ... does not matter

Equipment
In any case, when buying prestigious hatchbacks, it will not be possible to save. But this is the very case when it is customary to speak expensive, nomilo. Arranges


Advantages and disadvantages
+ Great design outside and inside, sled characteristics.

- More modest, compared to Audi, sofa and trunk.


Specifications
Mark and Model - Mini Cooper
Dimensions - 3700x1685x1405 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1598 cm3, 122 hp/6000 min -1
Transmission - 6 -speed, automatic
Dynamics - 197 km/h; 10.4 s to 100 km/h



My choice
Of course, my opinion is purely subjective, but once again I was convinced that there is simply no alternative to Mini. With all the advantages of Audi A1, and this is certainly a very, very worthy car, it seems to me not charismatic enough. But in the mini, the level of charm, character and style simply goes off scale. That is why it is easier for him to forgive the shortcomings. Moreover, a hard suspension, a tight sofa or a less quick machine, I want to consider not as disadvantages, but rather as whims. Agree, the car that you treat as an animated creature is great!

Editor's Choice
With all due respect to Mini, Audi engineers have created a more high -tech and advanced car. Audi A1 raises the banner of the prestigious challenged city hatchback to a new height. This also applies to the quality of interior decoration, and the convenience of the salon, and, of course, sled qualities. The combination of the turbo engine and the nimble 7 -speed transmission DSG provides excellent dynamics with enviable economy. And the best, compared to Mini, the smoothness and noise insulation only add to small Audi whists.


Photo: Sergey Krestov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [February 2011]