The A1 quattro will raise the tempo thanks to a turbocharged and directly injected 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which delivers its maximum 256PS output at 6,000rpm, and its punchy 350Nm torque peak between 2,500 and 4,500rpm. It enables the A1 quattro to power from rest to 62mph in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 152mph.

This advanced unit is notable for its adjustable intake cam shaft and its two balancer shafts which ensure smooth operation, but also for its high pressure common rail injection system, intercooled turbocharger and regulated oil pump which help it to operate surprisingly economically and deliver up to 33.2mpg (combined cycle).

Power is channelled via a quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, the heart of which is an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch whose package of plates rotates in an oil bath.

During normal driving, the clutch sends most of the engine’s power to the front wheels. If traction decreases there, the clutch can transfer torque steplessly to the rear axle in just a few milliseconds by forcing the packages of plates together by a defined amount. A pressure reservoir helps the electric pump to develop the oil pressure. If a wheel on one of the axles starts to skid, it is braked by the electronic differential lock (EDL). The electronic stability program (ESP) also includes a sport mode which sets a higher threshold for intervention, and can be switched off entirely for track use.

The chassis of the Audi A1 quattro has been adapted to suit the dynamics of the drivetrain, and the multi-plate clutch has also been positioned on the rear axle in the interest of optimum weight distribution. The front suspension is a McPherson strut construction, while a four-link set-up is used at the rear. Responsive and efficient electrohydraulic power steering with a direct 14.8:1 steering ratio complements this taut and well balanced configuration.

Unique specification

Finished exclusively in Glacier White metallic, complemented by 18-inch turbine design alloy wheels also in Glacier White and a high-gloss black roof, the A1 quattro will stand out from the outset. It will also distinguish itself visually through an exclusive design for the front and rear bumpers, the grille and its frame, red painted ‘wings’ within the headlights, a large two-colour rear spoiler and two sizeable, 100-millimetre diameter polished exhaust tailpipes.

Finishing touches such as tinted LED rear lights, tinted rear windows and a contrasting black colouring for the rear hatch and rear diffuser will also mark out the top-ranking A1, as will quattro badges on the grille, roof arch and rear hatch which bear testament to this car’s unique position as the first ever all-wheel-drive production A1.

At 3,987 millimetres in length, the A1 quattro is 33 millimetres longer than the ‘standard’ car on which it is based. It matches its counterparts for width and height, standing at 1,740 millimetres and 1,416 millimetres respectively. Luggage capacity is 210 litres with seats up rising to 860 litres with seats folded.

Purposeful black dominates the interior of the Audi A1 quattro, from the high gloss finish for the lower section of the centre console to the seats and door armrests finished in black Silk Nappa leather with contrasting red stitching. The multi-adjustable front S sport seats have pronounced bolsters, integrated head restraints and quattro insignias on their backrests. The footrest and the pedal caps are made of brushed stainless steel. Red stitching frames the floor mats, and the door sill trims bear A1 quattro badges.

The instrument cluster incorporates a number of eye-catching features, including white needles, a red-faced speedometer, a quattro logo and a colour Driver’s Information System (DIS). The multifunction sports steering wheel is flat-bottomed, trimmed in leather with contrasting red stitching and sports the car’s serial number. The shift lever knob is made of aluminium, and many control elements have an aluminium-look finish.

Lavish equipment list

As befits its standing at the pinnacle of the A1 range the A1 quattro will be suitably lavishly equipped with many features taken directly from the luxury class. Xenon plus headlights, the high-beam assistant, adaptive brake lights, an LED interior lighting package, light and rain sensors, the acoustic rear parking system, automatic air conditioning, a storage package, the convenience key and cruise control will all feature.

Infotainment kit will also be exceptional, particularly for a car in the subcompact class. It will include a CD changer, DAB digital radio, Audi Music Interface, hard disk-based MMI navigation plus, a 465-watt 14-speaker Bose sound system with illuminated woofers in the doors and Mobile Phone Preparation High with Online Services. This feature enables a Bluetooth-equipped online car phone to connect to the Internet and deliver special web services, including Google Earth, to the car. Passengers can also connect their mobile devices to the integrated Wi-Fi hotspot.

The left-hand-drive only Audi A1 quattro will be available in mainland Europe in the second half of 2012. A final decision on whether or not Audi UK will import the car will be based in part on customer reaction.

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A1 Editions is the umbrella term under which we will introduce different design-led limited editions. Based on Sport trim these are aimed at owners who wish to personalise their cars to different levels. The A1 Editions will split into one of two design concepts, one focusing on sporty designs, the other on sophisticated styling. Together these will ensure that the A1 Edition will appeal to customers interested in individualising their cars.

Competition Line

The first of the A1 Editions to launch is the Competition Line.

Competition Line combines aerodynamic body styling with a striking, motorsport-inspired design inside and out. This range has been inspired by famous models from Audi’s motorsport heritage, such as the legendary Audi quattro rally car, which won numerous world championships in the early 1980s.

At £1,800 above Sport, Competition Line provides more than £2,000 customer value. However, this price will only be available on a limited number of cars (first 500) before the line is offered at the full retail price.

Each Audi Centre will have one of these in their showroom, around the 31 May.

Exterior design highlights

Competition Line features sporty body styling, a distinctive rally-inspired design and 18-inch wheels that enhance the car’s stance. In detail the exterior adds over Sport trim:

• 18-inch ‘polygon’ design alloy wheels
• Aerodynamic exterior styling package:
  • Front spoiler
  • Double-blade roof spoiler
  • Side skirts
  • Rear diffuser in gloss black
  • Stainless steel tailpipe trims
• Competition Line exterior design features covering:
  • Roofline
  • Shoulder line with ‘Audi Sport’ lettering
  • Number 1 on the bonnet and doors
  • Boot lid
  • Front spoiler lip, side skirts, wheel arch, surrounds and double-blade roof spoiler
  • Rear sills with Audi rings

Interior design highlights

The interior of Competition Line models follows the styling cues on the exterior and adds the following over Sport trim:

• Competition Line design on:
  • Centre console trim
  • Door handles
  • Floor mats
  • Rear-view mirror trim*
• Air vent sleeves in high gloss white

Engines and transmissions

At launch, Competition Line will be available with the following engines: 1.4 TFSI 122PS manual, 1.4 TFSI 122PS S tronic and 1.6 TDI 105PS manual.

Colours and interior trim

Competition Line will be available with the exterior colour combinations below. It is not available in combination with the roof contrast line. Upholstery choices include standard Tornado cloth and optional Milano leather in black.

Ordering

Our local Audi Dealership are taking orders for this new model, click here to visit their website: www.pooleaudi.co.uk

We’ll report back soon with other details

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“We are currently unaware of any retrofit solution at this time.”

To be honest, that is the responce that I expected at first. We need to keep submitting reg numbers and they will investigate the issue. If you haven’t done so already, please add your reg to the list: http://www.audia1ownersclub.co.uk/heated-mirror-retro-fit/

I’ll update you shortly with further progress. Thank you for your support.

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The Problem we have…
I think we are all in agreement that the A1 is without a doubt, the best small car on the market. However there has been a lot of feedback on the forums that there is something that you would like to be improve. For some reason (in the UK atleast) heated mirrors do not come as standard. These are only included with the folding door mirrors option. The word back from Audi UK Technical is that heated mirrors cannot currently be retro-fitted. As the voice of the country’s Audi A1 owners, we are going to be covering progress into getting a viable retro-fit solution in the UK.

The Solution…
Our ultimate aim is to get Audi to add heated mirrors as a standard option and provide an approved retro-fit solution. For this, we need your help. We need a minimum of 5 registration numbers of cars affected by this to be able to raise a ‘DISS’ enquiry. The more reg numbers we get, the more likely Audi UK are to listen to our request. I have put a dedicated page up on this site where we can share our progress with you. On that page, you will find a form to register yourself on the list. The more we get the better, so please share this with other A1 owners.

Register your car now: http://www.audia1ownersclub.co.uk/heated-mirror-retro-fit/

Hope this helps

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The venue: Rallye Sunseeker 2011, the first stage of the Rally Championship (not the WRC sadly!).

The special stage and motorfair at Somerley House on Saturday 26th Feb will this year be home to a great display of Audis of all ages. There will already be a couple of Audis competing in the various rally classes. At lunch there will be a demonstration run from some good friends in their rally prepped UR quattros. We can have a stand at the event right next to the UR quattro Owners club. I am also going to ask our friends at the TT Owners Club (if they want to) to have a stand.

Here’s a picture from last year as a teaser… 

I will be there, hopefully with something a little bit different provided by Poole Audi and so I have another 7 spaces on the A1OC stand. It would be great to get a display of different colours, specs, etc.

If you would like to be on the club stand then, I will require a contribution of £10 to the pitch costs. I am haggling with the organisers and so hopefully we can have some left over for some POS for future events. 

Normal tickets are between £25-38 each and so there is a great saving here. If any additional A1OC members, or A1-forum users would like to attend, in their A1, or another Audi – you can get discounted tickets through me of £17 per car. I might be able to get a stand extention if there are enough A1s. I’ll confirm everything very early next week, but if I could get an idea of who is up for this, I can try to reserve more space.

To put your name on the list, join in the conversation over on the A1-forum: http://www.a1-forum.co.uk/a1forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=930

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Package XE1 (Xenon Plus light package including headlight washers) has been discontinued on the A1 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic (119g) and replaced with package XE2. The package content of XE2 is similar to XE1, but does not include headlight washers. This is due to an enhanced degree of efficiency in the Xenon Plus headlights used, which makes the legal requirement for headlight washers redundant. The new headlight design leads to a weight reduction which enables us to make option 9VK (BOSE Surround Sound) available on the 1.4 TFSI S tronic (119g) engine.

All vehicles with 2011 build weeks will automatically be amended to remove the headlight washers. 

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Membership is free so join today!

For more information and to join click here

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There is an error in the UK Audi A1 brochure. This has been corrected on the online file, but still exists in printed ones. ISO-FIX Child seat preparation on the Audi A1 is only possible on the rear seats – not the passanger seat as stated.

If you have already placed an order for an Audi A1 and this causes you a problem, please speak to your dealer asap.

…remember you heard it here first!

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