New Audi A1 Sportback – ideal companion for an urban lifestyle
Eye-catching, masculine design with taut lines
Infotainment concepts from the Audi full-size class
New driver assistance systems for more safety and comfort
Prices in Germany start at less than 20,000 euros.
Exterior design: Striking, masculine with genes of the sporty Ur-quattro
The A1 Sportback has grown significantly in length – with an additional 56 millimeters (2.2 in), it now measures 4.03 meters (13.2 ft). Its width has remained almost the same at 1.74 (5.7 ft) meters. The new-generation model – including aerial – is only 1.43 meters (4.7 ft) high. The wide track and short overhangs provide for a taut, sporty look. The wide, low-placed Singleframe grille and the implied side air inlets dominate the distinctive front. Below the edge of the hood are three flat slits – an homage to the Sport quattro, the brand’s rally icon from 1984.
The new A1 Sportback also emphasizes a resemblance to the Audi Ur-quattro and Sport quattro when viewed from the side: The wide, flat sloping C-pillar seems to push the car forward even while standing still. All lines on the flanks, from the window edge to the sill, slope upward toward the rear in a wedge shape. The distinctively highlighted wheels and the low shoulder line in between give the A1 Sportback a solid stance on the road.
With S line equipment, Audi has emphasized the sporty character even more through numerous features. These include, for example, larger air inlets, additional sill trims, an elongated slit centrally below the hood with two fins and the larger rear wing. The top-of-the-line engine is also recognizable with its striking twin tailpipes.
The Edition model, based on the S line equipment line and available from market launch, is particularly distinctive. It impressively showcases the design language of the A1 with numerous contrasts. Large 18-inch wheels in bronze – white or black depending on the exterior finish – set powerful accents. The Audi rings in foil on the side of the car are also available in the rim color. Borrowing from the legendary Audi Sport quattro, the LED headlights and LED rear lights are dark-tinted. The Audi rings in the Singleframe and the model designation at the rear are in black.
Freely combinable: the equipment lines
A new feature in the A1 Sportback is the modular lines structure. This provides for a particularly high degree of flexibility. For the first time, customers can combine exterior and interior lines however they like. Depending on the equipment line – basic, advanced or S line – the attachments on the exterior are available in various configurations. The black styling package sets additional accents. By offering the lines “Interior advanced,” “Interior design selection” and “Interior S line,” Audi is additionally affording customers numerous possibilities to select colors and materials accordingly.
New look: the interior design
“The sportiest interior in the compact class,” that was the stated aim of the design. The interior is accordingly driver-focused, with its emotive, customizable design. All of the controls and the optional MMI touch display are strongly driver-oriented thus emphasizing the distinctive cockpit character. The display and the air vent strip on the front passenger side are integrated in black glass look. The optional contour and ambient lighting package brings the interior design to life in the dark, if desired, through LED light elements in 30 selectable colors.
Safety first: the driver assistance systems
The driver assistance systems for the Audi A1 Sportback also come from the full-size class. They keep the compact car at the right distance from the car ahead, making it easier for the driver to maintain the lane and help him with parking.
A1 Sportback from exceeding a selected maximum speed. Another standard feature is Audi pre sense front. The radar sensor recognizes critical situations involving other vehicles, crossing pedestrians or cyclists ahead of the vehicle. The system then gives an acoustic and visual signal to warn the driver. The adaptive speed assist, which is also radar-based, keeps the Audi A1 Sportback at the desired distance from the vehicle ahead.
The new Audi A1 Sportback offers various systems to make parking easier. For the first time there is a reversing camera in addition to the rear parking system. The front ultrasonic sensors of the system recognize objects in front of the car and emit acoustic and visual warnings. The park assist system steers the A1 Sportback parallel and horizontally into parking spaces.
Review
“SUBSCRIBE NOW”
The post 2019 Audi A1 Sportback Review appeared first on Car News - Reviews, New Car Concepts and Car Design.