Audi unveils a lightly facelifted versions of the A1 and A1 Sportback after four years of their introduction to the line-up

Audi has given a mid-life refresh to its entry-level Audi models and will take first orders later this month with deliveries next April. The new Audi A1 and A1 Sportback also has brand new three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Audi also has a retuned chassis which offers optional adaptive damping, as well as Audi’s Drive Select function. It also has a widened range of infotainment and connectivity options alongside Audi Connect and a Wi-Fi hotspot function.

The visual changes to the new cars are light with re-styled front bumper which features an altered six-corner single frame grille, new headlamp graphics and a redesigned rear bumper. The light exterior changes add 20mm to the length of the A1, which now stands at 3980mm overall. The customisation list has also been extended with two new specifications design and sport.

The new Audi A1 and A1 Sportback will be available in six engine choices, with four TFSI direct-injection petrol units and two TDI diesels. These engines are either completely new or heavily upgraded. The debutants in the engine line-up are a 1.0 litre three-cylinder turbocharged and turbocharged 1.4-litre three-cylinder engines.

The former is the first ever three-cylinder petrol engine to be offered in any Audi model, delivers 95bhp and gives the three-door A1 with claimed fuel consumption of 65.7mpg with average CO2 emissions of 99g/km. At the top of the line-up is the four-wheel-drive S1 and S1 Sportback, which keeps the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection TFSI engine as before. Its 231bhp means it goes from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds with a 155mph top speed. UK pricing has yet to be announced for the facelifted model, but is not expected to start from around £14,500, with top-spec models costing from £21,700.