Audi A1: Mini Cooper Looking Over Its Shoulder

AutoCar UK has an early look at Audi's entry-level 1-series.

Audi’s new A1 supermini is poised to become the biggest-selling model in the firm’s history following its UK launch this October. Priced from around £14,000, the A1 will provide Ingolstadt with a direct rival to the popular Mini Cooper.

Audi is pitching the A1 as the “sportiest car in its class” featuring “unique and modern” design. The front end is little changed from the original concept. Most striking are the LED daytime running lights, which feature the ‘wing’ design from the larger A8 and R8 Audis. The concept’s large, trapezoid single-frame front grille is retained. S-line models get more pronounced front foglights.

...The A1’s flagship engine is the 120bhp 1.4 TFSI petrol unit. It takes the car from 0-62mph in 9.2sec and on to a top speed of 124mph. This engine is available with the dual-clutch seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, which comes with optional paddle shifters and shaves 0.1sec off the 0-62mph time...

Paddle shifters? For a 9.0 0-60? Uhm... okay.