AUDI'S little firecracker may be the smallest in the luxury car maker’s range but it is hardly a shrinking violet. This was immediately apparent as the model arrived, looking like something straight out of the Le Mans 24-hour race. The Competition Line livery is inspired by the Audi Sport quattro and takes your breath away at first glance, but more of that later. The feisty supermini is the new baby in the range, taking on the likes of the MINI and is set to shatter sales records. It looks the business with its sporty profile, offers clean, economical engines, two petrol and one diesel, and running costs that make the initial outlay seem a sound investment. And with its long list of high tech gizmos, you could be sitting in one of its bigger siblings. The 1.4-litre petrol engine also offers hottish-hatch performance, but even that delivers good fuel efficiency thanks to the clean burn, stop/start system and the energy regenerative braking system. It did attract attention from the boy racers with its rally-style livery that included a huge Number 1 on the bonnet and door and other go-faster stripes and additions. Bedecked with front spoiler, double blade roof spoiler, side skirts, rear black diffuser, stainless steel tailpipes and 18-inch polygon design alloys it screams sportiness. The Competition Line is based on the mid-range Sport version at £15,670 and the extra bling takes the cost up to £16,825. The interior adds more of the same. The leather is available only in black for this model and includes Competition Line design floor mats, door handles, centre console trim and rear view mirror trim with high gloss white air vent trims. Despite the somewhat gaudy look, there is no mistaking the high-quality on offer which is unlikely to be matched by anything in its class. A passenger commented on the attention to detail, like those four circular air vents, replicating the Audi four-ring logo and how everything clicked and clunked into place. Dash and doors feature quality soft touch finish and even the headlining feels substantial. This is probably the little car’s biggest strength and that, with the high level of standard equipment mitigates the steep price. Standard features on every car include alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and an eight-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display. Move up the range and the better it gets. There is great fun working through the gears and the stiff suspension gives the car real sporty and agile feel as does the nicely weighted steering that gives good driver feedback. The sporty drive is backed electronic stability programme with electronic differential, which initiates brief, controlled braking of the inside front wheel while cornering and transfers the excess torque to the outside wheel, which can apply more power to the road. The interior is pretty deceptive in size offering good head and legroom, while the seats are well-made and supportive. If you want to carry the Afghan hound around in this motor then forget it, but even so the boot is decent for its class and the rear seats fold for extra space. The willing 120bhp engine powers the car from 0-60mph in just under nine seconds and on to a top speed of 126 mph through a smooth shifting five-speed gearbox. But it is a docile creature in town conditions trundling along quite contentedly before into fuel-saving mode via the stop/start technology. Claimed average consumption is 53.3mpg with low CO2 emissions of 124g/km, so you can have your cake and eat it with good performance and parsimony. For safety, all A1s offer two front airbags, side airbags and two curtain head airbags plus seat belt tensioners and Isofix child seat anchor points in the rear. Prices start from £13,420 and the trim range includes SE, Sport and S line. It's a car clearly designed to take on the MINI, but also facing competition from its own SEAT and VW stablemates. But this is an Audi, which is enough for many, and it is a good one. FAST FACTS Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Competition Line Price: £16,825 Mechanical: 120bhp, 1,390cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox Max speed: 126mph 0-62mph: 8.9 seconds Combined mpg: 53.3 Insurance group: 20 CO2 emissions: 124g/km BIK rating: 15% Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles | 
