The Audi A1 range has been given an injection of diesel-fuelled power with a new engine, while two special colour options allow buyers to personalise their A1 even further.
More Colour Choices
The first of the ‘special’ colour schemes is the Contrast Edition, which is based on the Sport specification and adds contrasting pieces of trim along the roof edges, side skirts and front bumper. The choices for the contrasting colour depend on the colour of the bodywork, but can be black, silver, grey or white. There are also new 17-inch alloys to complete the look. The Contrast Edition adds £1,350 to the price of a Sport and can add a double-bladed roof spoiler in the contrasting colour for £450.
The Black Edition starts life as a range-topping S-Line model and for £1,100 extra throws in (you guessed it) some black trim, replacing the chrome highlights around the front grille. Darkened rear glass is added along with a set of 18-inch titanium finish wheels. There are some nice options thrown in too, including xenon headlights with LED running lights, full climate control and an upgraded 180 watt Audi Sound System.
A1 2.0 TDI
The new engine is the 2.0 TDI, a popular engine in the Audi range which, here in the A1, is good for 142 bhp and 236 lb/ft of torque. That’s enough to propel the baby Audi to 60mph in 8.2 seconds and it will continue to accelerate until it hits a top speed of 135mph. On the other end of the scale the 2.0 TDI can achieve 68.9mpg and emit just 108g/km of CO2. That drops the A1 into band B on the VED charts, so the road tax disc is a measly £20 per year. Not bad at all.
The 2.0 TDI comes with a six-speed transmission and can be picked on the Sport, S line, Contrast Edition and Black Edition models, with prices starting at £17,945 OTR. Prices for the Contrast Edition start at £16,610 OTR with a 1.2 TFSI engine, while the cheapest Black Edition uses the new 2.0 TDI and can be yours for £19,945 OTR. Head on over to the Audi A1 configurator to spec one up.
With 142bhp the A1 is just 1bhp shy of the Mini Cooper SD, which will be the A1’s closest rival in terms of price and pace. Also, let’s not forget that the 2.0-litre TDI is the same engine as fitted to the SEAT Ibiza FR which we recently reviewed that costs a similar amount of money but comes with a more generous level of specification.
If you’re thinking those prices are high and you could always wait to see how the A1 TDI fares in the second-hand market, just bear in mind that used Audi cars are notoriously good at holding their value. What seems expensive now could net you a good trade-in value in a few years time.
