Performance Review: Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line - [2020]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A1 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line is the 7 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2020. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular Audi A1 has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The A1 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A1's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1240 kgs (2733 lbs) this makes the Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line in the same weight category as the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A1 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (187 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (187 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 1500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A1 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6 (183.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A1.

The Audi A1 has a Power to weight ratio of 158.8 bhp per ton and 190.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2020 A1 competing with the 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6 (183.8 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 S-Tronic (183.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi A1 generating around 190.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (215.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (214.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs) the or the 2016 Renault Clio RS Trophy 220 1.6 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A1 and the 2013 Lexus IS 350

When talking about the performance of the Audi A1 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.14 secs @ 90.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (15.07 secs), the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (15.07 secs), and the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe (15.08 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2020 version of the Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 2020 A1 equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

2020 A1 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison