Audi A1 40T FSI S tronic Edition One

The flagship model in Audi’s new A1 range shares a 2,0-litre turbocharged engine with its Polo GTI cousin. It’s a more grown-up prospect, though

IT’S just an expensive (Volkswagen) Polo.” That derisive statement is often uttered by critics of the Audi A1 and, now that the second generation of the Ingolstadtbased premium marque’s littlest hatchback is out, the grumblings are bound to start afresh.

Unsurprisingly, the newcomer is again based on its VW Group stablemate and contemporary: the impressively premium sixth-generation Polo. And, where these cousins used to have divergent packaging and target markets, the Volkswagen has moved upmarket, making it more difficult to draw distinctions between the two.

Before we get too mired in the A1-versus-polo debate, herewith some powertrain details of the new A1 range. The line-up begins with a pair of 1,0-litre turbo triples, badged as the 25T FSI and 30T FSI (of which the former will be introduced only at a later stage), followed by a turbocharged 1,5-litre fourcylinder, which replaces the 1,4-litre unit and will bear the 35T FSI moniker. At the summit sits the subject of this write-up, the 40T FSI, which is powered by the adored turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder EA888 engine. It replaces the previous generation’s 1,8-litre and propels the current Polo GTI plus a number of performanceoriented VW Group products. In South Africa, all A1s will be equipped with a six-speed dualclutch transmission.

As is the case with the Polo, the A1 is based on the MQB platform (the A0 iteration thereof), which underpins a raft of Volkswagen, Audi and other VAG brands’ small products. That means it too benefits from innovative packaging, commendable space utilisation and inherent refinement.

Not only does the 40T FSI share the Polo GTI’S motor and transmission, it has identical peak outputs (147 kw and 320 N.m of torque). However, the Audi’s claimed performance

clockwise from top Virtual Cockpit lifts interior ambience but is a pricey extra; infotainment system looks slick and is easy to use; air vents shroud instruments; all local A1s will have a dual-clutch ‘box.