A small car with Audi qualities: the A1 hatchback

THE AUDI A1 Sportback that comes with enticing bells and whistles not found on ordinary hatchbacks

Not all hatchbacks are created equal.

Most are designed and produced for the mass market, with the selling price hovering at the P1-million mark to enable automotive manufacturers to hit that sweet spot of buyers looking for the best basic features that their limited money can buy.

But there are also hatchbacks or compact cars that appeal to a more discriminating and moneyed crowd, which is more concerned about other factors such as design and performance.

For this elite crowd, one compelling option is the Audi A1 Sportback that comes with enticing bells and whistles not found on ordinary hatchbacks.

First, the look.

On the road, the low-slung, five-door Audi A1 Sportback with its cast aluminum alloy wheels almost never fails to get a second glance or an outright stare.

There is just something about the streamlined design, sleek exterior paint finish with contrast roof and the four rings that make up the Audi trademark that catches and then keeps one’s attention.

You don’t even need to be a car owner or enthusiast to appreciate the memorable first impression that the Audi A1 Sportback, which comes in Amalfi White, Ice Silver, Glacier White, Misano Red, Samoa Orange, Teak Brown, Daytona Red, Phantom Black and Scuba Blue, invariably makes.

Second, the amenities.

The German automotive giant did not scrimp on the interiors of the Audi A1 Sportback, starting with the leather-trimmed multifunction sports steering wheel with shift paddles, as well as sports seats with leather and fabric that can be adjusted to fit the driver’s frame for maximum comfort.

The inlays and the aircon cover can also be customized. The aircon cover, for example, is black but can be changed to white or red to suit the owner’s preference.

The low profile of the seats, however, does not make it that comfortable for long drives, as one can only fully stretch the legs to put the pedal on the metal for so long. After an hour or two, the legs—OK, long legs—start getting tired, the signal to pull over and have a break.

Perhaps those of average height will have a different experience.

The snug fit of the sports seat, however, and the back and neck support help make you forget about the feeling in the legs for a bit. The feeling that you are as close as you can get to the driving experience of a professional race car driver also keeps the mind off any discomfort.  The superior sound system does the same trick.

As for the legroom at the back, it is big enough considering that the A1 is a hatchback, so obviously space is not as big as that of regular sedans.

Lastly, the performance.

There’s more to the Audi A1 Sportback than good looks, and those who know their way around cars will not be disappointed with what the German car has under the hood.

Its four-cylinder, 1.4-liter Turbo FSI engine is powerful enough to make the Audi A1 Sportback easily accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just nine seconds. The seven-speed S-Tronic transmission also allows the driver to easily make the Audi A1 go through its paces, and if he or she has the heart for it, even go for the Audi A1 top speed of 203 kph.

All in all, those who don’t work on a tight budget may find this example of engineering excellence a steal at less than P2 million.