Test Drive Audi A1 Sportback 5 Doors since 2012 Hatchback
Plus-minus two
Motor traveled at the Audi A1 Sportback AUDI A1 SPORTBACK.We love three days. Three-door hatchbacks are usually better as designers, they are obtained more sporty and stylish than five-door models. Three-dimensions very much like young people it seems to them that buying such a car, they emphasize their age and attitude to life. But here the Audi company presented the five-door version of A1 Sportback and it turned out that sometimes cars with five doors look better than their three-door counterparts.
Why in Audi decided to bring three-door hatchback at first and only a year and a half to present the five-door version A1, in principle, it is clear. Mini, the main competitor of one, makes sales primarily on the classic three-year, and only then on the unusual version of Clubman with swinging side doors, convertibles and crossovers. And in Audi decided to prove that not only modern retro can enjoy in demand, and released a modern stylish small-caltry for non-burdened family citizens. They turned out for the first year sales model A1 diverged the circulation of 118 thousand pieces!
A pair of extra doors, but looks better!
Now practical A1 Sportback comes to the help of a stylish three-door: plus two doors with the same dimensions and for a very small surcharge of about 12 thousand rubles in the Russian market. And in Audi, they hope that five percent of the demand within the A1 family will have to be from 50 to 70 percent, which will automatically entail a total sales growth.
Two extra doors does this mean that the new hatchback added in size?
No. A1 Sportback on its dimensions completely repeats the three-dimensional: the same 2469 millimeters of the wheelbase and 3954 millimeters of the total length. Even the body, despite two extra doors, weighs the same than 220 kilograms. True, at the expense of additional wires, electric windows, upholstery and rear door seals The total mass A1 Sportback increased by 25 kilograms. What, however, the little things, because the total weight of the sport sack is still small 1065 kilograms for a version with a motor 1.2 and a mechanical transmission.
It is much more important that the five-year changed proportions were noticeably changed: the roof was lengthened by 80 millimeters and raised six millimeters compared to three times. And it turned out great! The rear door seems less massive, and the coolest break of the rear rack makes the silhouette A1 Sportback more collected. Especially good is a five-door unit in a line of S Line, with massive bumpers and thresholds and a small spoiler over the rear glass, visually lengthening the roof for a few more centimeters.
The next A1 Sportback is now reminded by a small crossover, even the designers themselves say. True: Widely spaced wheels, short rear Sve and a more vertical fifth door make a hatchback like all-day.
The non-changed Hatchback dimensions mean both the fact that the spacious on the rear seats did not become: the knee places here are still back, although even a dealer driver in A1 Sportback shares without any problems. But this is true if the hatchback buyer does not order optional sports buckets: plastic lining on their backs steal from the rear passengers a few more centimeters.
The rear doors are small in width, but they greatly facilitate landing, and a higher roof means a little more place (plus 11 millimeters) above the passenger heads.
The volume of the trunk has not changed 270 liters. It is wide and low, but if you do not remove the top cover, then even two suitcases do not meet here, even two suitcase.
The back of the rear seat is folded in the proportions 40:60.
Something new?
The interior here is the same as the three-year, only a few new finishes were added. For A1 Sportback, the same set of useful electronics is available: navigating Google maps, retractable LCD display and very high-quality graphics, MMI multimedia complex with Internet access, with the web radio service and the possibility of organizing WiFi access point to connect other mobile devices.
Interior
Salon Audi A1 Sportback can be both monophonic - black and gray and diluted with bright inserts on the doors, seats and in the separation of the transmission tunnel. Of course, in addition to poisonous green (in the photo), you can choose something quieter.
On the left - the usual seats, on the right - optional buckets from the S LINE package. And those and those are equally comfortable, and even basic chairs have excellent side support. Although they look, of course, easier.
The rear sofa (if it can be called in the machine less than four meters long) is available in two versions: molded strictly under two, with cup holders in the center or under three. However, the third passenger will be uncomfortable from behind.
But the set of power installations has been updated. First, for Fiftemer A1, immediately after the start of sales will be available to the top version with a 185-strong engine 1.4 with a double supervision (compressor plus turbine) such a hatchback will be initially equipped with a seven-step preselective robot S Tronic and S LINE package, which includes body body kit and Refassed suspension. Secondly, a two-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 143 horsepower (320 nm) will appear at the A1 Sportback (320 nm), which is equipped with a mechanical transmission and will not be sold in Russia. We will not be already known for three-year diesel engines 1.6 with a capacity of 90 and 105 horsepower.
But we have a chance to see on sale the latest engine 1.4 with a double supervision and a shut-off pair of cylinders! This unit debuted at the Audi A1 Sportback and will soon appear on other Audi models, including the next-generation A3 family. The new engine develops 140 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, and can accelerate the five-door car from the spot to a hundred kilometers per hour in 8.1 seconds. Even more interesting fuel consumption figures: 4.7 liters per hundred kilometers of run, which is comparable to diesel modifications and even with hybrids.
In white color A1 Sportback looks great: contrast details, like overlays on bumpers, dark roof racks and large wheels. Zhabra in the front bumper corners distinguishing part of the version of S Line.
Moreover, the system of shutdown of the cylinders is surprisingly simple: both camshafts (intake and graduation) have a second set of cams, with a zero lifting of the valves of the second and third cylinder. When the car moves in normal mode, all four cylinders are working, and at low loads or when driving, the electromechanical actuator shifts the camshafts and uses the second set of cams in which the valves of the two cylinders remain closed.
At the same time, the fuel supply is turned off and the ignition is deactivated in the second and third cylinder, and the first and fourth cylinder, in turn, begin to work more efficiently, which partially compensates for the lack of torque. But as soon as the driver slightly climbs into the accelerator, both idle cylinders will immediately return to the connection to their connection leaves 13 to 35 milliseconds! At the same time, the two-cylinder mode will never turn on on the descent, with a rhythm of the movement or during the active stripper over serpents for this, the electronics analyzes the position, frequency and speed of moving the gas pedal. On braking, all four cylinders also work, to increase the efficiency of slowdown.
The deactivation system of half of the cylinders on the motor 1.4 TFSI works on the same principle as on the previously represented AUDI S8 with the V8 engine. The two-cylinder mode is activated only in the revolutions range from 1400 to 4000, and only when the engine is load within 25-75 nm. No additional balancing shafts to reduce vibrations when working half of the cylinders have no new unit. As the developers say, they only finalized the engine support, installed a two-mask flywheel and upgraded the outlet system so that he sounded well even on two cylinders.
In itself, disabling the pair of cylinders allows you to save an average of 0.4 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers of run; With a stop-start system of 0.6 liters. And only in ideal conditions, with a uniform movement at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour in the third or fourth gear, savings can reach one liter.
Savings is good, but how is the A1 Sportback with a new motor?
As an ordinary little hatchback with an upgrade engine with a capacity of 140 horsepower. That is, good. Guess how many cylinders work at one time or another, you can only on the indicator on the on-board computer screen, changing the message 4-Cylinder on 2-Cylinder and back. And if it is very diligently listening to that and on a slightly changing grade timbre.
5.3 liter fuel consumption indicator on the motor with disabled cylinders, which we received after half an hour of very measured ride through the deserted Spanish villages.
But no two-cylinder tauchery or additional vibrations when disabling cylinders are not in risen. There is only a dense, juicy thrust from one and two thousand revolutions per minute and almost to the most red zone. He would still have a steering wheel a little easier and softer suspension: the first seems to be overheated at low speeds and on parking, and the suspension on the car with heavy 17-inch wheels even on a relatively smooth road converts all the smallers on the road.
There are no differences from the three-door in the behavior of A1 Sportback. Accurate and rapid reactions to the actions of the driver, an interactive and even a little gambling chassis with a very reliable character of handling. A single thing is not to light up, but your share of pleasure from the Spanish serpentine on it can be obtained and even necessary, because the small, yurt hatchback with a dense suspension and a lobby motor is great!
Redhead in red? Why not?!
And most importantly, transplancing into the top sports equipment with a 185-strong motor, robot and S LINE package, do not feel a special difference. Yes, it looks like a more angry, it accelerates quickly and steals a little more accurate, but the difference is rather at the level of the nuances. The increase in 45 forces is felt only at the very top of the operating range of revolutions, because the twist of two aggregates are parity! Moreover, the 185-strong engine could certainly make more aggressive, but everything rests into the transmission: for a seven-step robot s Tronic 250 nm of torque this limit, and mechanics for the most powerful A1 are not provided.
However, it is not necessary to get upset in Russia, this option is not yet supplied in a three-door, nor in five-door execution.
So with what motors A1 Sportback will bring to Russia?
In the salons of Russian dealers, five-door Audi A1 Sportback will be available only with a 122-strong turbo engine 1.4 and only with preselective transmission. Two versions of two basic for 849 thousand rubles, with a simple music with air conditioning and an electric car, but with a fabric interior, and the version is more expensive for 933 thousand, with wheels more and slightly a big list of basic equipment.
Modifications with other motors, including new 1.4, may appear in the second half of the year. Diesels, however, still do not promise.
Mmm! Wrap us a couple!
What is the result?
Audi A1 Sportback looks more interesting three-year, it is more convenient three days and is not much more expensive than three days. But there is one thing. Therefore, we will look forward to the appearance of 140 and 185-strong motors in Russia. And if the latter also gets a handle, then the holiday will definitely come on our street.
A source: Magog Motor [March 2012]
