Audi drops A1 diesel variant due to low demand

The A1 has been given a more angular, sporty design to appeal to a broader range of buyers, Audi said.

Photo credit: Audi

Audi's new A1 Sportback subcompact hatchback will launch without a diesel version and the automaker does not expect to add one within the course of its life, the company said.

The second-generation example of Audi's smallest car will launch in Europe in the autumn with a target base price of under 20,000 euros in its home market of Germany. The car will be offered in five-door format, with no three-door model offered this time.

The A1 has been given a more angular, sporty design to appeal to a broader range of buyers, Audi said. The top spec S-Line model comes with an aggressive front-end design that includes an elongated slit below the hood and larger air inlets to the side. It also comes with twin tailpipes and a bigger rear wing. Standard versions tone down the front-end look to bring it more in line with the outgoing model.

The new model is 56mm longer than the outgoing A1, measuring 4003mm end-to-end. The width remains broadly the same at 1740mm and the car is 1740mm high. Audi says the wide track and short overhangs contribute to its sporty look, which it claims was inspired by the Ur-quattro coupe from the 1980s. The wide C-pillar links the car to the Q2 SUV, which has a similar feature, and gives the impression of pushing the car forward, Audi says.

The extra length helps the car to become "much more spacious" inside than the outgoing model, Audi said in a statement. Trunk space is up by 65 liters to 335 liters with the rear seats up.

The car borrows technology from further up the Audi range to make it "fit for the digital future," the VW-owned brand said. A 10.2-inch touchscreen is fitted as standard to all models, while Audi's Virtual Cockpit that adds a second screen behind the steering wheel is available as an option.

The infotainment system is available with the newest voice control system for better hands-free communication. The maps for the satellite navigation can be updated automatically when the car is optioned with app-based Audi’s Connect service. Smartphones can be charged wirelessly, or via a USB-A or USB-C connectors.

Safety technology includes automatic emergency braking as standard on all models, as well as adaptive cruise control available on higher spec versions that includes the ability to bring the car to a standstill in traffic, providing the car is fitted with the S-tronic automatic gearbox.

The car is available with a reversing camera for the first time and has the ability to park itself with the park assist system.

The all-gasoline line-up will include a 1.0-liter three-cylinder TFSI unit starting at 95 hp and a 1.5-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine. The highest-powered model will make 200 hp, Audi said, without being specific about the engine. The 1.6-liter TDI has been dropped from the range, leaving it without a diesel model. Global demand for the outgoing diesel was too low to consider including it in the new model, Audi's spokesman said.

The new A1 will be built in Seat's plant in Martorell, Spain, a switch from its current build site in Belgium. The A1 takes over from the Q3 SUV, which moves from Martorell to Audi's factory in Gyor, Hungary.

The new Audi A1 is built on the VW Group's MQB compact architecture and uses hot-stamped high-strength steel in its body for greater rigidity, Audi said.

You can reach Nick Gibbs at ngibbs@crain.com.