Audi A1 Sportback test drive since 2010 hatchback

Audi A1: Long Test. The first impressions

The list of our experimental rabbits for long tests has recently been replenished with the Audi A1 hatchback. Why did we take A1 from the Audi lineup? A stylish compact screening has not yet become a confused on the streets of Russian cities, in addition, this is the most affordable new car with rings on the radiator grille (if you can even say about Audi at all). In detail about the A1 itself can be read in the material with last year's European presentation, but we were more interested in real operating conditions. How will the terrarium take it from Moscow traffic flows? How will the suspension behave on our roads and the TFSI engine on not the highest quality gasoline? To find out, we have a couple of months in the company with Audi A1.


We first met with Audi A1 a year ago, at the European presentation of the new item. Now we have much more time at our disposal to identify all the nuances of the operation of one

In the Russian advertising campaign, A1 is called the most daring Audi. A loud statement that is probably causes a grin and misunderstanding in some inhabitants of sleeping areas owning black sedans A6 or A8 shaggy years. Like, as a car the size of a ladies' handbag can have such an epithet. However, for the company itself, the release of A1 is a really daring step. What are at least contrasting roof racks, painted in our case in silver metallic! Inoperative for the Audi sample of the mid-90s.


16-inch wheels are a plus for our broken roads, but minus from the point of view of design. Perhaps the 17th would look more organic

Moreover, it is gratifying that the creators did not follow the path of the main competitors from Mini, actively operating retro-mij. Outside, A1 is accurately perceived by a member of the large Audi family. And already brings the features of future models. For example, a radiator grille with mowed upper angles will be similar in a new generation A3 and already flaunts on the nose of the Q3 crossover. Or spectacular lights in the front headlights, replacing the usual strips of LEDs. They will also soon become an identification mark of Audi.


When buying A1, do not stir up on bixenon headlights (+ 48 347 rubles). In addition to the beautiful headlight, bright diode light lights appear with them

Such a mimicry has become an unexpected bonus, it allows a small three -door to feel much more confident in the capital's streets, where only one rule is still valid: who is stronger, he will pass first. Among the savages of Audi emblems, fried headlights and a large chrome lattice provide a relatively calm existence even in the case of A1. The Germans would know how many Russian ladies they saved their nerves, making A1 similar to real Audi

Why ladies? Namely, the fair sex is most often found on the roads driving Audi. In any case, I have never met a man for all the time. Maybe women are attracted by just a serious appearance? Or is it just a desire to buy a premium-segment car that a friend does not have? Yes, yes, I'm hinting at Mini.


Photography does not convey the sensation inside A1. Quality, quality and quality again! Unlike BMW, which can experiment with the Mini brand, Audi could not afford to risk the earned image of the creators of excellent interiors. There are very few parts unified with other models of the concern

To argue that it looks more interesting A1 or mini we will not be, this is a matter of taste. But where Audi beats the British on the spot is inside. Finally! Finally, at least someone made a compact car, where inside you do not feel this total savings on every little thing. The interior A1 in quality of materials and details can argue not only with A3, but with older models A4 and A5! In addition, the noise insulation is very well for this segment is simply excellent inside.


The brightest details are, of course, deflectors of the ventilation system (you can order one of the seven variations of their color) and round aluminum climate and audio systems. Rotating them, a sensation of a safe castle certainly arises an exceptionally accurate move, accompanied by delicious clicks, and no backlash. Class! Climate control here is not separate, but is it necessary in such a small car? Devices with white-red backlighting are spectacular and well read. Anyway, there is really nothing to complain about in the A1 salon. The steering wheel is very convenient, the glove compartment, although it is small, is locked up. There are no complaints about the 6.5-inch display on the front panel. He, moreover, is folding. True, manually

In general, while driving A1 you feel in real Audi, without any discounts on size. But, of course, you need to pay for this. Money. Big money. So, the basic A1 Attraction with a turbocharged engine of 1.2 liters (86 hp) and a mechanical checkpoint will cost at least 807,800 rubles. To compare the three-door A3 with 105-horsepower variation of the same 1.2 costs from 898,400 rubles. Mini One with a 98-horsepower 1.6 is significantly cheaper from 730 thousand rubles. True, Mini in the base according to the backwood tradition in the Russian market does not even have air conditioning (and it is available for an impressive surcharge of 52 thousand!).


But the seats did not cause any emotions. Simple, comfortable, but personally I do not have enough side support. Not only the driver, but also the front passenger has adjustment of the lumbar support and the height of the chair. The rear sofa is double. The miracle did not happen, the three of them are not enough space there, and anyone can hardly sit on the cup holders. The legs are enough, but provided that the passenger is no higher than average height

A more interesting option A1 Attraction 1.4 TFSI (122 hp). It is only thirty thousand more expensive (836,900 rubles), but it is already equipped with six, not five-speed mechanics. The direct competitor of the mini Cooper (1.6, 122 hp) is no longer such an attractive purchase for 800 thousand, the buyer again receives a minic without air conditioning and heating the seats (in the Audi A1 this is included in the basic equipment of any version).


A 1.4 -liter turbo engine pleases with good traction and good sound (although the second merit of the exhaust system). The engines of the FSI/TFSI family are famous for their love for motor oil, but we have not yet had to add it (we took the car with a mileage of 9 thousand kilometers). The hood is held by a gas emphasis even here the Germans did not dare to save. The battery is transferred to the trunk for the best weightlifting

The 122-horsepower A1 can be ordered with a seven-speed robot S Tronic, in this case the price will increase to 907,900 rubles, and in a richer performance, such A1 pulls almost a million (991,900 r)! Moreover, you can buy such Audi only with additional options for sports seats, an audio system, 16-inch wheels, a large color display and the navigation system increase the price to 1,138,247 rubles.

Our machine, painted with metallic with contrasting racks, also has bixenon headlights, music with 10 speakers and subwoofer, light and rain sensors, rear parking sensors, climate control, automatically obscured salon mirror and tissue rugs and is estimated already at 1,258,020 rubles . Not bad! It is only comforted that the similarly equipped Mini Cooper with an automatic machine will not be cheaper (1,273,400 r), and 125-horsepower Audi A3 1.4 TFSI or BMW 116i (116 hp) will be even more expensive in the same configuration.

But the Audi A1 boasts a very pleasant dynamics. A relatively small mass (1200 kg) and considerable torque (200 N ∙ m, available in the range of 1500-4000 rpm) in combination with a nimble robot allow it to accelerate to hundreds in 8.9 seconds and reach 203 km/h. By the way, it turned out quite quickly that the operating mode S Tronic largely changes the nature of the movement on the Audi A1 in a dilapidated Moscow stream. Not without complaints about a seven -speed box. However, while we have not traveled too much to talk in detail about all the features of A1 behavior on our roads. This will become the topic of the following publication.

Vadim Gagarin
Photo: Vitaly Kabyshev

 

Source: Auto.mail.ru