Audi A1 - most refined small car?
Discussion
Was just looking at the Audi A1's promo material. Essentially it's the same market as an Alfa MiTo but it looks altogether a bigger-feeling, more luxurious, refined car. Wasn't too impressed with the MiTo when I had a drive of one and thought the interior was fairly terrible unless you wanted to shell out several grand extra. The A1 is actually quite reasonably priced compared to other cars in the segment and no doubt it'll be an unexciting although 'solid' drive (in a complimentary way).
With that in mind that probably makes it the most refined small car? It's a notch above a Polo, only other thing I can think of is the Merc A-Class. Seems sensible to me that if you wanted something for around town and the occasional motorway journey it'd fit the bill nicely.
With that in mind that probably makes it the most refined small car? It's a notch above a Polo, only other thing I can think of is the Merc A-Class. Seems sensible to me that if you wanted something for around town and the occasional motorway journey it'd fit the bill nicely.
I rather like the look of it, but haven't driven one yet. Will be interested to see what they price like nearly-new and on lease.
The current model A-Class is very refined and smooth, but it suffers from poor ride quality, presumably the A1 will be better in that respect, although the Merc is quite a bit bigger.
The current model A-Class is very refined and smooth, but it suffers from poor ride quality, presumably the A1 will be better in that respect, although the Merc is quite a bit bigger.
va1o said:
I rather like the look of it, but haven't driven one yet. Will be interested to see what they price like nearly-new and on lease.
The current model A-Class is very refined and smooth, but it suffers from poor ride quality, presumably the A1 will be better in that respect, although the Merc is quite a bit bigger.
I echo this, The A-Class has a nice lofty driving position, handy for the city, but I really don't think much of Mercs manual gearboxes or their clutch action/weight... The Audi is far more customisable than the Merc, better looking and more attractive engine and spec-wise too. Personally feel the B-Class is a better all-round package than the A-Class, though it could do with a punchier CDI unit and possibly was a mistake dropping the B200 from the range...The current model A-Class is very refined and smooth, but it suffers from poor ride quality, presumably the A1 will be better in that respect, although the Merc is quite a bit bigger.
Followed a bunch of them tonight up the A30 before they loaded themselves up into some trucks in a lay-by. From the back, yes, lovely. Would quite like one myself. From the side...yes, still good. From the front, yep - decision made. Like. From the front with the dipped lights on? NOOOOO! 
Before tonight, I'd never seen a car that I thought needed a good night's sleep!
Shame.
Before tonight, I'd never seen a car that I thought needed a good night's sleep! Shame.
But in fairness all the press cars seem to be fully loaded with options, in S-Line trim with those 17" alloys and LED front lights. I'd be interested to see what the standard model looks like, haven't seen any real life picture of that yet, just the dodgy computer generated image on the audi website...
Waugh-terfall said:
They still look good, just a little more angry Polo
Although spec-wise not massively more expensive, especially considering the interior to me looks noticeably better, the car looks better and it apparently drives better and is smoother/more refined.Personally speaking, living in a major city and having had a Mini I would have loved it if it was simply more refined. I really do like small cars and used to have a Polo as my first car (52 reg) but it fell to pieces a bit on the motorway and was a bit wallowy. Something very appealing about a small car that can do everything. In truth I bet most people who own a Golf-sized car don't use the back seats that much. (I suppose it's a scaled-down A3.)
£249 p/m for 24 months on a decent spec A1 at the moment following a reasonable (£1500ish) deposit. Seems pretty good to me, service is chucked in as an option like other manufacturers.
I can't say I'm a big fan of Audi but the more I look at it the more appealing it becomes. I reckon even in base spec if you code the outside in all black and have a few interior highlights (gloss black round the vents is £100, which is fine compared to Fiat/Mini etc.) it'll look quite smart. Can specify a good hifi too.
Edited by LongLiveTazio on Friday 22 October 10:22
British car journalists are the best in the world(probably has something to do with enjoying of life)
[+]
It’s a nice object
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Until you start moving
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2588...
[+]
It’s a nice object
[-]
Until you start moving
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2588...
Edited by hotmelt on Saturday 30th October 11:04
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