Audi A1

 Anyone that can spot a facelifted Audi A1 in the street deserves a medal, as the changes are subtle at best. Only the geekiest amongst us, or perhaps Audi enthusiasts, will be able to pick out all of the changes. Redesigned bumpers mean that the A1 is 19 millimetres longer than before, and a flatter, wider front grille is a touch more prominent this time around. Revisions to the headlights and tail lights give a freshened appearance, and the rear diffuser is both lower and wider. Small touches indeed, while on the inside, there’s a smattering of extra chrome and piano black detailing to lift the calibre of the cabin even further. Sport models, as tested here, gain a choice of different driving modes for the first time, and the steering is now electromechanical and more energy efficient, with its electric motor mounted on the steering wheel. But the most significant change for diesel fans is the introduction of a more powerful 114bhp 1.6-litre TDI engine that can be paired to a five-speed manual gearbox, or for the first time a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission, as tested here. And unlike many self-shifting gearboxes, there’s only a very small penalty at the fuel pumps for choosing the auto ‘box just 4.4mpg and 5g/km of CO2, which in regular everyday motoring, you’ll hardly notice.

The combination of a super-slick, quick-shifting twin-clutch automatic transmission and the new more powerful engine is a delight, with almost imperceptible changes and strong, eager performance, particularly in the mid-range. It’s like a mini pocket rocket, thanks to alert, precise steering and taut body control, as well as strong brakes with good bite.

Through fast bends, there’s loads of grip, and the overall feeling is of a planted, surefooted little car. Despite revisions to the suspension to improve ride comfort, it’s still too firm, particularly at lower speeds, crashing into bumps and transmitting far too much of the poor surfaces into the cabin. At motorway speeds, however, the A1 is transformed, where it delivers a calm and comfortable ride.

There was little wrong with the cabin of the A1 before, and thankfully the designers have taken an ‘if it ain’t broke’ approach to this facelift. The fascia is attractively designed, made from plush feeling materials, with the turbine-like air vents a particular highlight. All of the controls are logically arranged for clarity, and the infotainment screen is nicely placed so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road for very long. The seats are nicely stuffed, delivering great lateral support, keeping you firmly in place when cornering.

The view through the back window is restricted by the tiny rear view mirror, though the vision all around the rest of the car is pretty good thanks to relatively deep side windows. The door pockets may be a little on the small side, but thanks to a large bin in front of the gear lever and a reasonably sized glovebox, there’s plenty of space for oddments. Up front, there’s a generous amount of head and legroom, but in the back the space is merely average and comparable to its class competitors. Boot space is par for the course at 270 litres, and thanks to a wide opening and an underfloor storage area, it’s easily accessible. Folding the rear chairs down opens it up further, with 920 litres of available space.