Official: All there is to know about the 2019 Audi A1 Sportback

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The all-new A1 is a sophisticated (not so) little car that wants nothing to do with diesels

Following yesterday’s leaked photos, Audi has dropped official information about its all-new supermini accompanied by high-resolution photos.

The second-generation A1 Sportback (Audi makes no mention of a three-door A1) brings a new design inside and out, new infotainment and driver assistance systems, as well as new trim lines (basic, advanced or S line for the exterior; advanced, design selection and S line for the interior).

Roomier than before

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While we’ve touched on the subject of design in the previous article, we didn’t know how big the new A1 was. Now we do: it’s 4.03-meters (13.2-ft) long, 1.74-m (5.7-ft) wide, and 1.41-m (4.6-ft) high. That makes it longer and wider than the outgoing model, which means passengers will benefit from a roomier cabin.

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Audi says the new A1 is “much more spacious” and claims that adults will enjoy plenty of head and legroom in the rear seats. Luggage capacity has grown by 65 liters (2.3 cu-ft) to 335 liters (11.8 cu-ft) with all seats in place. If the rear seats are folded down, the cargo volume increases to 1,090 liters (38.5 cu-ft). Furthermore, the loading sill height is now lower, 670 mm (26.4 in) above the ground.

The latest infotainment technology

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As for the interaction between the driver and the car, the new A1 Sportback is well equipped for the future. It offers an all-digital instrument cluster featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, a multifunction steering wheel, and the latest-generation MMI infotainment systems with touchscreen displays of up to 10.1 inches in diameter (MMI navigation plus). The A1 also gets the new MMI touch operating concept from the latest A8 which recognizes handwriting input with a finger trail without having to stop and wait for individual letters. Audi’s latest generation of voice control is also offered.

More computing power than ever

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The 2019 Audi A1 Sportback also sources several driver assistance systems from the brand’s full-size models. There’s basic stuff like standard lane departure warning and speed limiter, as well as more complex tech like the radar-based Audi pre sense front system which can bring the car to a halt in case of an imminent collision. Other systems that use the car’s sensors include the adaptive cruise control with stop&go function (for models with automatic transmission), and parking assist systems that can steer the car into parking spaces, pull forward into perpendicular parking spaces and exit parallel parking space.

And more horsepower

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The engine lineup includes several TFSI turbocharged gasoline engines with outputs ranging from 95 to 200 metric horsepower. The base engine is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit, the middle engine is a 1.5-liter four-pot, and the range-topping unit (at least until the S1 arrives) is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. All power plants are combined with a manual transmission or a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox — except for the range-topping 40 TFSI that gets a six-speed S tronic transmission as standard. There no mention whatsoever of diesel engines, which may mean we won’t see any TDI-badged A1 models anymore.

Three different suspension configurations

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Audi promises the new A1 delivers “agile handling and a sporty, poised driving experience.” That is obviously achieved thanks to the suspension setup, of which there are three available. The basic suspension features a front McPherson construction with lower wishbones and cast aluminum pivot bearings, front coil springs and telescopic gas-filled shock absorbers, and a rear lightweight torsion beam axle with integrated stabilizer.

Those who want a sharper drive can opt for a sport suspension, which can optionally be equipped with adjustable shock absorbers in the top configuration. The Audi drive select adaptive driving system is also available, offering four modes (auto, dynamic, efficiency, and individual).

Story references: Audi via Motor1

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