Friday 1st October 2010

Paris: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI

Audi reveals range-topping version of its baby hatch

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Audi has revealed its 182bhp audi A1 1.4 TFSI - the hottest A1 thus far - at the Paris motor show.

The front-wheel drive A1 1.4 TFSI is powered by the same 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged unit that also slots beneath the bonnet of the Polo GTI, Fabia vRS and Ibiza Cupra.

However, the A1's 182bhp is a whole 5bhp more than the engine manages in its other applications (nothing like a spot of corporate on-upmanship, we say).

The 184lb ft of torque is unchanged, however. The A1 1.4 TFSI gets an electronic limited-slip differential and a 7-speed twin-clutch 'box as standard and will, says Audi, manage the 0-62mph sprint in 6.9secs and run out of puff at (a pretty decent) 141mph.

[mrclav]

I actually have to admit I like the look of it.

[Tomoose85]

As much as it pains me to admit it - that looks bloody brilliant, very purposeful.

Still don't want one though, especially without the option of a manual

[Dr G]

I'd prefer a manual also but it does look rather good

[tomv1to]

Out of the Polo, Ibiza and Fabia the A1 is by far the best looking.

[anonymous-user]

I can't help but have grave concerns over the long term reliability of an engine that highly tuned in a car that's going to be used as a shopping trolley. 182 bhp from 1.4 litres is very impressive though!

Dave

[Escort Si-130]

I guess it is direct injection, so in terms of engine reliability it should be ok.
I am not really liking it in this colour, prefer the red. Plus I dont really like those wheels. Other than the an ace car.

[jimbo2728]

Stunning little thing, however, just doesn't get me that whipped up.. I think the RS3 is the car that will get me going..

[sklar]

The Fab/Polo/Ibiza and A1 push out the same HP. It's just a marketing figure to upset MINI 185PS vs. 184PS in the MINI Cooper S.

[ManOpener]

dme123 said:

I can't help but have grave concerns over the long term reliability of an engine that highly tuned in a car that's going to be used as a shopping trolley. 182 bhp from 1.4 litres is very impressive though!

Dave

For such a complicated engine they're very reliable. Forced induction and decent-grade internal gubbins. Map up to 210bhp too!

[archangeldk]

Just me or does it not look similar to the DS3 ?

[snorkel sucker]

ManOpener said:

dme123 said:

I can't help but have grave concerns over the long term reliability of an engine that highly tuned in a car that's going to be used as a shopping trolley. 182 bhp from 1.4 litres is very impressive though!

Dave

For such a complicated engine they're very reliable. Forced induction and decent-grade internal gubbins. Map up to 210bhp too!

quite. the engine is turbo and supercharged; it doesnt have 182bhp from an n/a setup

as for the car itself, the front 3/4 looks great. i hate the rear though

[Leicesterdave]

I genuinely prefer a MINI but do like the A1's aggressive looks.

[dave stew]

Nice looking - tangerine orange, retro 70s!

[anonymous-user]

I really quite like that! It looks good and should have great performance! will hold onto its value better than most of its rivals which should level out its premium cost!

[Tomoose85]

archangeldk said:

Just me or does it not look similar to the DS3 ?

I thought that, but didn't want to say it in anticipation of "yeah they both have 4 wheels" etc type flaming :P

[Mini1275]

Looks quite nice if you ask me. I'd have one over a MINI if i was in the market for that kind of car.

[va1o]

Its a cool car and it does look nice, but the name is just so boring given the 125PS 1.4 is called the same thing. Wonder how they will price it in UK, without the S1 name they can't justify charging huge amounts of money.

[aka_kerrly]

I like 75% of the look but i cant stand the headlights, they ruin the front end because those stupid DRL make the headlight look cracked and cheap.

As for the engine, how long will it be before one ends up in a mk1 golf! Turbo supercharged and a relatively small package, cheaper tax, tuning potential and when driven lightly nearly 50+mpg, what is not to like about that.

dave

[AndyW35]

I think it would be more appealing with the S1 moniker on it, which is quite a shallow statement I admit.

I wonder how much this costs more than the Fabia version? Although the Fabia is very plain, boring, ugly compared to this, in the estate version it will be very much a Q car, and more practical.

I rather like the less polished but more fun type of car such as the Twingo Sport, these latest VW "small" cars seem to be caught slightly between two stools.

Andy

[va1o]

aka_kerrly said:

As for the engine, how long will it be before one ends up in a mk1 golf! Turbo supercharged and a relatively small package, cheaper tax, tuning potential and when driven lightly nearly 50+mpg, what is not to like about that.

Well the 1.4 'twincharger' engine was first released over 4-years ago in 170PS form so its hardly ground breaking latest technology!