The Germany based leading luxury car brand Audi, which has become a synonym of the luxury cars across the world, will soon be marking its debut in the low cost luxury car segment with launching its one of the much awaited entry level luxury car Audi A1 in the India. The car is basically a compact luxury hatchback which is expected to be rolled-out in the price segment of Rs 15 lakh to 20 lakh. The new Audi A1 will be rivaling with the Mercedes Benz’s upcoming A – Class and B -Class models, and BMW’s upcoming Mini series of cars. It has been more than then two years, since the car enthusiast in the Indian auto market are waiting the Audi A1 model to be launched in the country. The car is expected to mark its debut in the Indian auto market by next year.

Now coming to the Audi A1 in precise, it is a four-door, four-seater luxury car that will change the equation of the price segment of Rs 15 to 20 lakh. Be it designing of exterior and interior, or be it machine kept inside the hood, the car will be superior in its segment.

The Audi A1 is expected to be rolled-out in both petrol and diesel versions in the Indian auto market. The petrol version is expected to be offered in two engine options including a 1.2L, 1200 CC petrol engine and a 1.4L TFSI engine. The smaller 1.2L petrol version will be capable of delivering a maximum power of 89 bhp. The bigger 1.4L TFSI petrol engine will be able to deliver a peak power of 150 hp along with a maximum torque of 240 Nm. On the other hand, the diesel version of the car is expected to be powered by a 1.6L diesel engine which is expected to deliver a peak power of 90 bhp. While the base model of the car is expected to be offered with a 5 speed manual transmission, the top end variant are expected to be offered with an option to choose from manual and automatic transmission systems.

The new Audi A1 will be having something for you, no matter what kind of driver you are. For those, who prefer to drive economically, there will be a default ‘Economy mode’ featured in the car. On the other hand, those who love to drive the car a bit roughly and need extra response which pressing the accelerator paddle; the A1 will be carrying a ‘Sport mode’. The fuel consumption of the Audi A1 model will be about 30 percent lower as compared to its predecessors, thanks to an electric unit that has been positioned between combustion engine and transmission. The efficient electric model cuts in automatically depending on the selected mode.

It is raining fascination inside the all new Audi A1 Sportsback, which is equipped with a range of advanced and highly sophisticated features inside. The car is blessed with a range of new age styling, comfort & convenience features that is comprises of driver oriented central console and dashboard, fascinating red and white color scheme, sporty seats with integrated head restraints, turbine-look air vents and air conditioning controls (looks like directly borrowed for a jet plane), the start / stop button for the engine, an integrated mobile phone pocket and many more.

Being an Audi portfolio car, you can be fully assured of the full proof safety and security of the car. The car will come blessed with a range of new age safety and security features including multiple airbags, cruise control, traction control, ABS (Antilock braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force distribution), and many more safety boosting technological features.

Audi A1 Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The recently showcased Audi A1 Sportsback concept by the company, is claimed to be about 30 percent more fuel efficient as compared to its siblings powered by the same engine. The higher fuel efficiency will be achieved by the use of a 20 kW (27 hp) electric unit between the transmission and combustion engine. The electric unit cuts in automatically with the selected mode of operation. While the petrol version of this smaller Audi is expected to deliver a mileage of up to 15 kmpl, the diesel version’s fuel economy can go up to 18 kmpl.

Audi A1 Models and Features

As of now, the company hasn’t revealed the details regarding the trims of new Audi A1 which will be rolled-out in the Indian market. However, it is expected that the company will roll-out the car in three engine options including two petrol engines and a diesel engine option. The expected variants of the car are as follows –

Audi A1 Engine Power and Performance

As we have already mentioned in this review, the compact luxury hatchback Audi A1 is expected to be launched in three engine variants including two petrol and one diesel engine version.

The petrol version of the car will possibly be having two engine options including a 1.2 liter and 1.4L TFSI power train. The 1.2L unit will be the least powerful among expected variants of Audi A1 with a maximum power of 89 bhp. On the other hand, the 1.4L petrol version will be outpouring a maximum power of 150 hp along with a maximum torque of 240 Nm.

The Audi A1 diesel is expected to come powered by a 1.6L diesel engine with an expected maximum power of 90 bhp. However, the diesel version is not expected to be among the initial variants of the car, and it is expected to be launched after the petrol variant gets established in the Indian auto market.

Both petrol and diesel versions of the car will be coupled with a five speed manual transmission gearbox. Later on, the company may decide to roll-out an automatic transmission version of the car in the Indian auto market.

As far as performance of the car is concerned, the all new Audi A1 is blessed with a refined engine which will be carrying a considerably low NVH level and high fuel economy. Besides this, the company is expected to feature the car with a range of new age performance boosting technological features, making it a true performer on the Indian roads. What adds to the performance of the car is Audi A1’s aerodynamically efficient body and extremely efficient combustion (thanks to the Multi-hole injectors). Moreover, the turbochargers integrated with the car’s engine will be offering an optimized responsiveness and more harmonious torque build-up. The car can be driven in two models including ‘Economy’ and ‘Sports’, as per the convenience and driving behavior of the driver.

Audi A1 Exteriors and Features

Coming to the exterior, the Audi A1 will be blessed with a coupe like roof line that has been added to the vehicle to offer virtually classic look to the car. The styling of the car has been accentuated by offering a gently rising shoulder and an aggressive segmentation of the side paneling of the car. The features that make the exterior of Audi A1 superior include three-dimensional main headlights in innovative LED technology, daytime running lights and turn indicators and many more.

The USP of the Audi A1 exterior will be its coupe like roof line that offers virtually classic look to the car. With this the a gently rising shoulder and an aggressive segmentation of the side paneling of the car accentuates the overall looks of the car. Adding to the fascinating exterior of the car are a range of other style boosting features include daytime running lights and turn indicators, three-dimensional main headlights with innovative LED technology, and many more.

The company has recently showcased a four door Sportsback version of the car which is claimed to be making optimum use of the small road surface area generally available to a premium compact car. The length, width and height of the car will be 3990 mm, 1750 mm and 1400 mm. It will be carrying a high wheelbase of 2460 mm.

 

Audi A1 Interiors and Features

Sublime quality of materials, futuristic design and sporty style are among the highlights of the fascinating interior of the Audi A1. The India bound Audi A1 will come featured with series of advanced comfort & convenience and styling features including a driver oriented central console and dashboard, sporty seats with integrated head restraints, fascinating red and white color scheme, the start / stop button for the engine, an integrated mobile phone pocket and many more. Moreover, the air vents have been designed in a unique turbine-look along with air conditioning controls, giving an impression of the jet plane’s design. An advanced music system with features like Bluetooth streaming and USB compatibility is expected to come integrated in the car.

Moreover, the advanced Sportsback version of the Audi A1 is claimed to be making optimum use of the small road surface area generally available to a premium compact car.

Safety Features in Audi A1

The optimum safety of the passengers as well as of car has been a tradition in the cars of brand Audi, and the same will be carried forward in the new age Audi A1. The major safety features of the car will include ABS (antilock braking system) with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), multiple airbags, cruise control, traction control, parking sensors, and many more.

Audi A1 Price Range

As we have mentioned above, the Audi A1 price will fall in the range of Rs 15 to 20 lakh and after the launch it will compete Volkswagen Beetle, Fiat 500 and upcoming models like Fiat Bravo, Mercedes A Class and BMW Mini Cooper.

With the launch of Audi A1 in India, where at one hand a large pool of buyers will be able to own the brand Audi, on the other hand the company will be able to grab a major chunk of the luxury car segment in the luxury car segment in the Indian auto market. Audi India, which is currently the third largest luxury car seller in the Indian market, aims to become the number one luxury car seller in country by year 2015. The  Audi A1 launch will certainly help the car maker in achieving this goal.

The Audi A1 concept was first introduced to the word market as a metro project Quattro concept in year 2007 at the Tokyo Motor show in October 2007. Since then it has been among the most awaited cars in the world market. The Audi A1 will be shorter in size as compared to Audi A3 model and will be based on Volkswagen Polo’s plat form. It is to be mentioned here that Audi is a fully owned subsidiary of Europe’s largest car maker Volkswagen.