2019 Audi A1 Sportback: More room and better safety systems

By CARSIFU | 20 June 2018


INGOLSTADT (Germany): The 2019 Audi A1 Sportback is bigger, more spacious and comes with a host of new driver assistance systems and comfort kit.

The second generation of the successful compact car will have a variety of turbocharged, direct injected petrol engines with outputs ranging from 95hp to 200hp, and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The exception is the top-of-the-range engine, where a six-speed S tronic transmission shifts gear as standard.

Audi A1 Sportback


The A1 Sportback has grown significantly in length – with an additional 56mm, it now measures 4.03 meters.

At the same time, the width has remained almost the same at 1.74 meters.

The new-generation model is only 1.41 meters in height – including aerial, the car is 1.43 meters tall.

The wide, low-placed Singleframe grille and the implied side air inlets dominate the distinctive front.

Below the edge of the hood are three flat slits – an homage to the Sport quattro, the brand’s rally icon from 1984.

Audi A1 Sportback


The new A1 Sportback is much more spacious, and luggage capacity has increased by 65 liters.

Normal capacity is 335 liters; with the rear seats folded down, this increases to 1,090 liters while loading sill height is a comfortably low 67cm.

Even the basic version of the new Audi A1 Sportback comes standard with a fully digital instrument cluster with a high-resolution, 10.25-inch display and a multifunction steering wheel.

The Infotainment concept in the new A1 Sportback comes from the full-size class.

The MMI radio comes as standard – it can be operated via the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel and the display in the fully digital instrument cluster.

Audi A1 Sportback


In the top configuration, MMI navigation plus offers a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen, which blends seamlessly into the black glass-look area.

As with a smartphone, all commands are via touch input. The latest generation of voice control further improves the dialog between driver and car.

Music and acoustics aficionados will be pleased to find the Audi sound system and the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System.

The B&O system drives eleven speakers with an output of 560 watts. Its 3D effect uses the windshield as a reflecting surface.

Audi A1 Sportback


The driver assistance systems for the Audi A1 Sportback also come from the full-size class. The standard lane departure warning helps the driver to keep the car in the lane from a speed of 65 km/h.

Also standard is the speed limiter, which reliably prevents the A1 Sportback from exceeding a selected maximum speed.

Another standard feature is Audi pre sense front. The radar sensor recognizes critical situations involving other vehicles, crossing pedestrians or cyclists ahead of the vehicle, even when visibility is poor such as in fog. The system then gives an acoustic and visual signal to warn the driver.

At the same time, it prepares for a possible full brake application and, if necessary, initiates automatic emergency braking in order to prevent an imminent collision or reduce its impact. If necessary, the protective measures of the optional Audi pre sense basic are initiated. The front seat belts are electrically tensioned, the windows are closed and the hazard warning lights are switched on.

Audi A1 Sportback


The adaptive speed assist is also radar-based. It keeps the Audi A1 Sportback at the desired distance from the vehicle ahead.

If the vehicle is equipped with S tronic, the system covers a speed range of 0 to 200 km/h ; with the manual transmission, the range begins at 30 km/h. In stop-and-go traffic, the A1 Sportback with S tronic transmission brakes to a standstill and gets going again under certain conditions automatically.

With S line equipment, Audi has emphasized the sporty character even more through numerous features. These include larger air inlets, additional sill trims, an elongated slit centrally below the hood with two fins and the larger rear wing. The top-of-the-line engine is also recognizable with its striking twin tailpipes.

Audi A1 Sportback


The Edition model, based on the S line equipment line and available from market launch, is particularly distinctive. It impressively showcases the design language of the A1 with numerous contrasts.

Large 18-inch wheels in bronze, white or black depending on the exterior finish, set powerful accents. The Audi rings in foil on the side of the car are also available in the rim color.

Borrowing from the legendary Audi Sport quattro, the LED headlights and LED rear lights are dark-tinted. The Audi rings in the Singleframe and the model designation on the back are black.

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