STYLING (INSIDE AND OUT)

You’ll immediately notice the new A1 because it is much more aggressive than the old one in its execution. Audi’s spokespersons call it a more masculine-looking car, and they’re spot-on. Nostrils under the bonnet hark back to the original Audi Quattro, mildly flared wheel arches hint at its sporty intent, and an extra fat C-pillar makes it look more purposeful and racy. The new A1 is also available in striking new colours, including the Python Yellow you see in the pictures, and Turbo Blue. Arrow-head inspired front and rear lights, with LED lamp technology, give it a distinct look as a “new” Audi, too. On the inside, I particularly liked the driver-focused dashboard, with the centre console angled towards the driver for ease of access to multimedia controls. A full-colour touch-screen system (similar to the units fitted to the new A8 and A6) will be available for all models and you can even choose to upgrade to the full Audi Virtual Cockpit experience, complete with digital instrument cluster. The nicest part of the new A1 on the inside, though, has to be its fit and finish. Quality materials, whether it’s the cloth or the plastic or two-tone accents on the press units, show a more youthful charisma than the old car with its slabs of black plastic.