This is the new Audi A1

The new Audi A1 has been revealed and it's all-change on the styling front.

Its single-frame grille is much wider, and there are deeply sculpted bumpers, front and rear, which come with big spaces for air vents and extra driving lights. On the leading edge of the bonnet, there are three 'nostril' air intakes, which are supposed to be a reference to the original Audi Quattro rally car, while at the rear there's a heavily stylised C-pillar that has more than a touch of shark's fin about it.

Physically, it's grown compared to the outgoing A1 (overall length is now up to four metres, while the boot should be around 65 litres bigger) and while it's easy to play spot-the-Polo-parts in the cabin Audi is livening up the interior with standard-fit full-width digital instruments (Irish specs still to be confirmed of course). A central touchscreen is standard, sized between 8.8 and 10.0 inches. The infotainment system will come with WiFi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, plus the handwriting recognition system from the luxury A8, and if you've got the cash, an optional a 560-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Driver assistance will include an automated braking system that can detect cars, pedestrians and cyclists, and which Audi says can work in fog too.

For the moment, the A1 will only come with a petrol-engined line-up - a choice of a 95hp 1.0-litre TFSI three-cylinder, and two four-cylinder units - 150hp 1.5-litre and a 2.0-litre with up to 200hp. For those looking for a more sporting experience, a four-wheel-drive 300hp S1 will come along in due course, while a super-frugal plug-in hybrid will also form part of the range.

Sales will start in early 2019, and expect prices to rise a bit over those of the current model, thanks to the extra standard tech and safety equipment.

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