Looking at the A1 as a second car for my wife.

Drove both the 105 BHP diesel & the 1.4 TSI 122 BHP 7 speed DSG petrol, both in sport spec with the optional 17" alloys.

Like the looks, build quality very high.

driving position infinately adjustable & very good. Seats are wonderful.

Interior very good quality, stereo good, the optional BOSE was epic.

The diesel lump was very quiet in the car (compared to MK 1 Fabia VRS).

The 5 speed manual box was accurate, ratio's are very tall though, made the car feel sluggish on acceleleration.

Ride was firm, body control good,grip very good, steering accurate but feedback is lacking, feels a bit wooden.

Economy was 49 MPG over mixed roads, giving it a bit of stick but not flat out.

The petrol was more of the same chassis wise, but the engine was a little more willing, very linear with no shove in the back though! The DSG box was a revelation, very smooth & responsive.

Economy over exactly the same route 32 MPG.

Not buying either, too underpowered.

Considered the Fabia VRS Mk2 but cant live with the looks or economy.

I take it back, the wife's gone & bought one

She knows best.

Just my opinion but I think the Audi A1 is one of the ugliest, most awkardly styled cars in its class.

Its easy to get carried away with the options, and suddenly you are hit with a final bill of £25k, which is stupid money for a car that isn't exactly popular.

Its easy to get carried away with the options, and suddenly you are hit with a final bill of £25k, which is stupid money for a car that isn't exactly popular.

Yep, the options are insane, £25K could easily be spent, insane for a supermini!

Not sure about them not being popular,the dealership was rammed full of peeps test driving the A1, & we were told at least 4 month wait, no discount, demo's were priced at virtually new prices.

We ended up getting a cancelled order, had to compromise on spec but got a discount & the wife got the car without the wait.

I have yet to see an A1 on the road. See plenty of it's arch rival the Bini. Supply issues are down to the VAG power units again, which is causing problems in supply for all the group brands Just walk into a Skoda dealer & ask for any diesel, before walking out laughing at the estimated delivery time of 6 months. I think VAG need to get another engine plant on stream somewhere, before sales start to be severely damaged. That is the trouble when so many platforms share the same oily bits (A1,Polo,Ibiza,Fabia,Octy,Roomster,Yeti....).

Even demo Skodas are now fetching more than list. Says it all really.