DRAWN INTO ITS WEB
steering wheel buttons to scroll between functions – in fact, you could be in Audi’s A8 luxury limo.
And that’s what Audi set out to do in the first place with the original A1, to out-premium Mini and give the big limo-feel to a little car.
You’ve a choice of SE, Sport and S-line trims, all of which get digital instruments, LED headlamps, hill hold and lane departure warning as standard. You can go up a level to Audi’s digital cockpit but that’s an optional extra that’s not fitted to our £20,010 Sport.
The three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo engine is a peppy little unit well up to the job. Audi says the combined fuel consumption is 57.6mpg and emissions are 111g/km. The A1 handles precisely and rides well over bumps.
Dumping the three-door was a wise move. There’s plenty of space in the back, more than there is in a fivedoor Mini, and the rear doors make it easier to access. Talking of space, the boot now holds 335 litres which New last year. A sound package but doesn’t give much more for your money. Flagship Fabia. Spend the money you save on options – it’s the same car underneath. Actually makes the A1 look better value. Nicer quality plastics but less tech. is a substantial 65 litres bigger than the original A1.
Our test car is painted in Tioman green which is a rather pricey £575 considering it’s a solid colour and not metallic. It does look very smart though.
This rather sums up the A1. It’s a classy package let down by cheap furnishings. Those downsizing from a bigger luxury car won’t mind too much.
Those of us after value for money might be better off looking at a VW Polo. Or a
Skoda Fabia.
Order yours now... if you have £237,000 to spare for the Mclaren 720S Spider. We tested the 720S coupe this time last year and it’s about the fastest car I’ve ever driven.
With 720bhp and a remarkably low dry weight of 1,332kg, it’s not surprising the Macca picks up its skirts when you hit the gas.
This new convertible version has a top speed of 212mph (with roof up, only 202mph in hairstyle re-arranging mode) and 0-62mph is in 2.9sec. The order books are open for SEAT’S new Tarraco SUV. It’s the VW Spanish brand’s first seven-seat SUV and is SEAT’S answer to Skoda’s Kodiaq with which it shares a platform and mechanicals.
Prices start at £28,320 for the SE spec entry-level model and top out at £32,135 for the flagship XCELLENCE Lux. A range of VW’S familiar engines are available with 150bhp and 190bhp power outputs in diesel and petrol, and four and two-wheel drive powertrains are available, plus manual and DSG gearboxes. We’ll drive the Tarraco in the new year. Skoda’s new super SUV is on its way. The car is the Kodiaq VRS, the Czech firm’s seven-seater fitted with a 240bhp diesel engine, seven-speed DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive. Top speed will be 137mph and 0-62mph comes up in 7.0sec. Twenty-inch alloy wheels are standard, plus sporty exterior styling tweaks. Inside, there’s Alcantara cloth and carbon trim, plus of course plenty of VRS badges. Skoda took the Kodiaq VRS to the Nurburgring circuit and managed a lap of 9min 29sec which is only a minute and a bit slower than the mighty Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio managed. And that’s the fastest SUV I’ve ever driven. The Kodiaq’s price hasn’t been announced but it’s going to be around £40k.
Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina was the design genius who founded Pininfarina which in turn designed the most beautiful Ferrari models in the 50s and 60s. Now Pininfarina is paying tribute to its founder by naming its new electric hypercar after him. Enter the Pininfarina Battista, to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March. We know nothing about the Battista so far, except that its makers claim that it will be Italy’s fastest supercar.