New territory for Audi with compact A1

The Audi A1 has a presence bigger than its compact dimensions suggest. Photo / Supplied

Driving through Checkpoint Charlie was a bit of an experience for someone brought up on spy novels and tales of dangerous crossings of Berlin's infamous wall. But so was driving this A1, which enters a completely new segment for Audi and created a challenge - how to impart a premium experience in a very compact package.

What's new?
Not the underpinnings - the platform's shared with Polo albeit with the Macpherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension tuned to suit and wider track. Powertrains are also shared - with start-stop standard - but the body is completely new, a sculptural optical illusion that has a presence bigger than its compact dimensions suggest.

Audi penned clean elegance with a vaguely coupe-like roofline and three-dimensional details that enhance the car's visual solidity. Inside the central stack steps back to maximise cabin space, while quality materials underline the premium story.

But Audi has a bob each way with plentiful option packs. Straight-laced conservatives can choose restrained colours inside and out, while funkier buyers will be pushed to decide. Some 800 exterior configurations are enhanced by an array of cabin colours. Audi will ring the changes to keep the look current; meantime lime green dash, seat and door insets proved the most eye-catching, with the subtle grey houndstooth a less overt nod to style.

Techno geeks will love options like the premium MMI adapted from A8, with its pop-up 6.5-inch screen; or the 14-speaker Bose sound system and 20gb of memory that'll even display CD sleeve art as you view your listening options.

The company line
A1 product manager Lars Adler says Audi doesn't pitch A1 as a dynamic competitor to Mini. Yes, it's designed to be fun to drive - but also to be a better all-rounder; "Agile in the city, steady in the country, comfy on the motorway like a big car," he says, and designed to appeal to traditional Audi conservatives - and younger buyers.

Audi NZ is still finalising spec, but confirms the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol for November arrival, with starting price around $40,000 and two specification levels.

What we say
The A1 may be longer and wider than Mini but it's still a small car, and with its proportionately lower roofline it's a sleek one. Cabin and especially boot space benefit - with 270 litres expanding to 920 with the rear seats folded flat, while all-round vision is excellent. There's space for four - just - with plenty of thoughtful touches, like bag and coat hooks behind each front seat.

On the road
That 90kW/200Nm 1.4 TFSI turbo mated to the seven speed DSG auto also fitted to sporting Sciroccos and Audi's TTS was my pick. With maximum torque on tap from 1500rpm to 4000, it cruises frugally yet picks up with alacrity.

As for the 77kW/250Nm 1.6 diesel, it's over-relaxed at low revs and its delivery doesn't suit the car as well as the brisk 1.2 or the surging joi de vivre of the 1.4. It is frugal though - we averaged 4.2l/100km after 120km/h autobahn cruising and negotiating Berlin's rush-hour gridlock.

As for handling, our town and country loops from Potsdam, former seat of the Prussian kings, delivered few corners. Initial impressions are of a capable car with plenty of grip and limited roll or understeer that feels more substantial than its dimensions suggest.

We look forward to trying it on New Zealand's more sinuous roads.

Why you'll buy one?
You want a genuinely premium small car; you want to personalise it, and appreciate the engines' ability to pull strongly without the robust thirst to match.

Why you won't?
You won't pay this much for a small car; or adjust to such a wee Audi.