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My first performance car `
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Ok, I admit. I was shop-hopping around Leng Kee for a car to replace my Nissan Latio. Not that my Latio is no good (in fact I really missed it T_T...), but I want to try something different.
I went into Audi after VW and Mini. Of course, my criteria for the car would be to be within my budget (Cat A coe), must be easy on the eye and must be a hatchback. The salesman (Edmund Fun) promptly came to me and introduced A1 and A3 to me. I saw and test A3 first and not long after, I saw this cuttie waiting for me to test drive. It caught my eye. I knew I fell for it.
Shaped like a mini, but has all the characteristics of an Audi. I especially love the LED headlight, which is shaped like an eye, a dragon eye, to be exact. The gorgeous exterior and interior melted my heart and I was left speechless after I tested the car...
Edmund explained all the specification to me and was very knowledgeable and patient (should look for him if you want good service!). I remembered I asked the hardest and weirdest questions about A1, but he seems to make the whole experience nothing more than a small favour between old friends.
Then of course - I bought the car immediately (I bought 185bhp, for newbies, 185 bhp is better than 122 bhp). And now I'm a proud owner of this beast and it nearly drained all my resources. Yes, you can see the price on top. Damn it.
I'm still running-in the engine but I can tell you, the twinned-charged turbo-engine packs a punch. At slow speed, it feels jerky, as if telling me it doesn't like it slow. At 80-100 km/h, the drive is smooth as silk. The 18" sports rim, the MMI interface and the stunning dashboard are all the ticks on my checklist.
I'm not sure if I'm sensitive, but I can feel that the A1 attracts lots of attention on the road. The brainchild of German designer Stefan Sielaff, the A1 has both the aesthetic and sleek factors as well as a very outstanding performance. Any young and adventurous individual would want (or maybe need) a piece of this hot beast.
I’m enjoying and loving every moment with my A1 and I’m still learning and discovering it. What more can I ask for?
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The BEST Premium Hatchback! `
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I feel that this is the BEST premium hatchback simply because it has the nicest design among its competitors. The overall design portray a very cool image of the car which gives many people a second glance at it when spotted. A small car with Audi qualities and the Audi badge can't fail. All three engines are good, and quality is up to the usual Audi standards.
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The A1 is basically a shrunked A3 with an added bit of "chic" factor. I like the fact that the rear of the car was sloped unlike most hatchbacks of it's size, giving it a more proportional look instead of the boring "2-box" found in cars of the same segment. The Kerb weight of the car is surprising at about 1100kg. A proof that it's built of more sturdy materials?
Unfortunately feeling of the interior is mixed. IMO the A1 failed to delivery the same standard Audi did in other models. I was disappointed at the center console as it feel very plasticky and unrefined. Another thing that disappoints me is the rubber pedals and the lack of a footrest. Luckily other equipment saved that flawed. The leather-stitched steering wheel feels so good as with all Audi models and I like the comfort grip of the gearshift with that "S-Tronic" logo embossed at the top of the shifter giving it a very sporty stance.
Upon ignition, the car growl softly and quietly. As I slowly turn out, I realise the pedal was initially unresponsive and draggy but once you past the "deadspot" the car comes alive! The "deadspot" is actually Audi's way of saving fuel at low speed manuvers.
Time to do some serious fun. I hit the pedal and whoa! The inital torque of the A1 is fantastic! In fact from 0 to 60km/h the car feels as powerful if not, more powerful than my 150bhp Turbo car! It's not neck breaking or dizzy-inducing yet but it's good enough but the engine did it so effortlessly that I wonder if it's really 122bhp. It's the 200nm torque that makes that difference. Even after 100km/h the car feels so alive that it connects to you so much that speed doesn't matter anymore! This A1 is more fun!!
As I approach the corners, I switched to tiptronic and downshift as I approached the apex. The A1 feels so confident and well planted to the ground the roll almost cannot be felt! The percision of the steering wheel will make you take such tight corners for granted.
As I hit a more heavy traffic, I slow down to enjoy the cruise. As expected the A1 is neither bumpy or noisy, it's a whole new level of refinement and comfort and the car have be well-behaved on a different pace.
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![Audi A1 1.4 TFSI [185bhp] (A) Review](https://i.i-sgcm.com/news/article_reviews/2011/389_index_tn.jpg)
![Audi A1 1.4 TFSI [122bhp] (A) vs MINI Cooper 2014 1.5 (A)](https://i.i-sgcm.com/news/article_reviews/2014/753_index_tn.jpg)
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