The face-lifted
Audi A1 and A1 Sportback have been revealed before they reach dealers in April 2015.
What is it?
Audi's supermini gets a selection of minor visual changes for 2015, along with a tweaked chassis, more infotainment options and new engines on the entry-level models.
Given the A1's success to date, the visual changes are predictably subtle. It gets a redesigned front and rear bumper, a tweaked grille, revised headlights and tail-lights, more defined door sills and a redesigned rear bumper.
The mild exterior changes add 2cm to the length of the A1, which now stretches to 398cm overall. As before, customers can choose between either a standard single or optional two-tone paint scheme.
What engines can I choose from?
The face-lifted A1 and A1 Sportback will come with the choice of six engines - four petrols and two diesels - all of which are described as being either completely new or heavily upgraded.
The entry-level models now get a new turbocharged 95bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol and turbocharged 1.4-litre three-cylinder diesel - both recently added to the
Volkswagen Polo.
The former is the first ever three-cylinder petrol engine to be offered in any Audi and averages 65.7mpg and emits 99g/km of CO2 on the three-door A1.
The new 90bhp diesel, which provides the basis for the first Ultra model in the A1 line-up but is not yet confirmed for sale in the UK, is even more economical, averaging 83.1mpg and emitting CO2 89g/km.
It also comes with a 1.4-litre petrol with either 123bhp or 148bhp. The latter of these comes with fuel-saving cylinder-on-demand technology that shuts down two of the cylinders when they are not needed. A 114bhp 1.6-litre diesel and 189bhp 1.8-litre petrol are also offered.
Top of the range is the four-wheel-drive S1 and S1 Sportback, which retain the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as before.
How much equipment does it come with?
Audi has confirmed the A1 will get a reworked chassis.
It comes with the option of adaptive damping in combination with the Drive Select function. This allows the driver to alter the steering, damping, gearbox and throttle settings in three stages by using the car’s MMI (Multi-Media Interface) dial.
The steering system is described as all-new and is said to provide significantly reduced assistance at speed for added handling precision.
In terms of equipment, all models get alloy wheels, remote central locking, air-conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors, aux and iPod connection and a 6.5-inch retractable display. It also gets a city braking system.
Sport models also get Audi's Drive Select system, 16-inch alloys, sports suspension, sport seats and Bluetooth.
S line models get Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and rear lights, 17-inch alloys, S line Sports suspension and part-leather upholstery. They also get S line styling.
Owners will also be able to choose a Tech pack, which brings internet-based services such as an upgraded satellite-navigation system. The Comfort pack adds auto lights and wipers, cruise control and parking sensors.
How much will it cost?
Prices start at £14,315 for the 1.0-litre petrol in SE trim, and go up to £26,110 for the S1 Sportback. The Sportback model adds £620 on to the price of the three door, while changing the manual for the S tronic automatic transmission adds £1540.
1.0-litre
SE - £14,315
Sport - £16,290
1.6-litre TDI
SE - £15,390
Sport - £17,365
S line - £19,360
1.4-litre 125PS
Sport - £16,690
S line - £18,685
1.4-litre 150PS COD
S line £19,480
Can I get a discount?
The Audi A1's desirability means that it is very hard to come by discounts on the small car, so Target Price discounts through the dealers are not much more than a couple of hundred pounds.
Brokers such as
Carfile.net offer better discounts on the current car, and this is expected to continue to be the case with the revised model.
Most families know this time of year is when the