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42 maltatoday, Sunday, 19 July 2015 Motoring Audi A1 - A pearl in the supermini chain In today's world of superminis, a small car can deliver a statement that does not scream cheap and cheerful. Now Audi wants a slice of that cake too, with the launch of the new 2015 Audi A1. This might be the smallest, cheapest Audi, but that's where the cruel adjectives stop. Techni- cally a stylish, classy Supermini, the Audi A1 features a lavish ride with a price tag sitting higher than other competitors, bringing the A1 package at par with the similarly classy Mini hatchback. A small, city friendly vehicle is transformed into a statement of class with a touch of superior inte- rior layout and design and a pres- tigious badge. With a body that doesn't extend far beyond its wheels, the Audi A1 is a compact car with a low sleek profile. Drawing on the inspira- tion of the A3 and A4 models, the A1 features the same corporate grille and swept-back headlamps, a range of alloy wheels, front fog lights and a chrome exhaust pipe. A sharpened front end is more ac- centuated by a contrasting paint finish across the tops of the doors and down the A- and C-pillars. Inside the A1's cabin, your hands rest on soft plush plastics while harsh and rugged materials are kept out of sight. A comfortable driving position is easily achieved through a height- and reach-ad- justable steering wheel, coupled with seats that offer a firm support. A broad range of adjustment po- tential comfortably wraps around the driver and passenger. A large 6.5inch, centrally posi- tioned screen is easy to read and offers all the necessary informa- tion. The menus are mainly con- trolled via a single rotary dial on the audio unit, sitting in the mid- dle of the center console. The on- screen menus are also accessible at the turn of a knob, neatly recessed within the steering wheel. The A1's dashboard also features what could possibly be the coolest air-vents ever, with a chrome trim making each intake look like the front of a turbine-bladed jet engine. The luggage area has 270 litres of space. While sufficient for most trips and shopping runs, packing the entire family's luggage could prove to be a chore. The new Audi A1 comes in three engine variants, a 1.0TFSI and 1.4TFSI petrol engines and a 1.6TDI diesel - all of which are coupled with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S-tronic automatic transmission. The manual gearbox and clutch are sharp, and with the S-tronic automatic you can leave all your driving worries behind. The 1.4-litre petrol engine claims an impressive official average of 60.1mpg due to Audi's Cylinder On Demand technology, which shuts down cylinders when not needed. However if you run long miles, the 1.6-litre diesel could prove a better option averaging 74.3mpg in offi- cial tests. On the safety scene, the A1 is equipped with front, side and window airbags as standard, earn- ing the car a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. An alarm sys- tem also comes with the standard package. All models also feature a sys- tem that automatically applies the brakes if it detects an imminent crash and a stability control sys- tem automatically helps correct a skid. The steering is both quick and responsive, providing enough resistance to driving response yet remains light and easy for park- ing. When it comes to trim, the A1 kept to the Audi norm of three choices - SE, Sport and S. Alloy wheels and air-conditioning are found in the entry level SE mod- el, however opting for the Sport version gives you Bluetooth and sports seats, along with firmer suspension. There are other options for all three versions including satellite navigation, cruise control, heated door mirrors, automatic head- lights and windscreen wipers, a contrasting roofline, the door han- dles, air vents and a lower console can be finished in the same colour as the car's bodywork or you can go the extra mile and splash on a Quattro interior package, with red trim, leather bucket seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. Bottom line, the Audi A1 is a lot of fun packed inside a lavish in- terior and sealed with a badge of quality. The A1 price tag starts at 19,900 for the basic 3-door version and 20,900 for the 5-door Sport- back. 5 Year Warranty Parts & Labour. 12 Year Body Warranty. PHOTOGRAPHY BY Chris Mangion