Sportiness, precision and youthful freshness – these properties characterize the interior of the Audi A1. The designers drew inspiration from aeronautical engineering and the associated field of lightweight construction in many areas.

The elegantly curved instrument panel is reminiscent of a wing. With its horizontal stepping, it maintains the perfect balance between airiness and solidity. Four round, protruding air vents are located on the dividing line on the instrument panel’s front face. They resemble the turbines of a jet and can be adjusted using a sophisticated ball mechanism.

The center console tunnel is shaped like the stern of a yacht. It appears to float above the tunnel, separated from the dashboard. The upright center console is inclined slightly toward the driver. Located on its lower end is a strip with secondary switches and the control unit for the air conditioning.

In addition to the standard heating and ventilation system, Audi also offers a manual or automatic air conditioning system as options for the A1. The automatic system takes into account the position of the sun and humidity. Its three dials – finely rippled cylinders that move very precisely with exact click sounds – are a visual and haptic highlight.

Unparalleled: the retractable monitor
The middle of the center console is home to the controls for the radio or the optional MMI operating and infotainment system. The 6.5-inch display, which comes standard with the concert radio and upwards, is retracted into the instrument panel. Tap it and it extends upward in a smooth, even motion into an excellent position where it can be read quickly. The retractable monitor is unparalleled in this class.

The A1 comes standard with a three-spoke sport steering wheel – optionally wrapped in Fine Nappa leather and decorated with chrome-design inlays. The next version up is the multifunction steering wheel, which is optionally available with paddles for manual shifting if the A1 is equipped with the high-tech S tronic transmission.

The instrument cluster with the large round dials – black faces, red needles, white numbers – is laid out clearly and elegantly. As always with Audi, operation via the steering column stalks is logical and ergonomically perfect. At night the instruments are lit in white, the buttons red.

The LED interior lighting package is another exclusive solution in the segment. Both elegant and efficient, white light-emitting diodes are used for the ambient lighting in the doors and roof module, the cabin and reading lights and to illuminate the footwells, the entry area of the doors and the vanity mirrors. The LED interior lighting package is available as part of the media style package or separately. If the A1 is equipped with the Bose surround sound system, the frames of the bass/mid-range speakers in the front doors are indirectly lit with white light – a fascinating effect.

Another top feature in the A1 is the driver information system, which is optional with the Attraction trim line and standard with Ambition. It presents all key information from the audio sources, the telephone, the vehicle and the optional navigation system on the monochrome display between the instrument dials.

A modern tab concept and a freely programmable Favorites button make operation of the system intuitive and easy. As with the large models from Audi, the system can be controlled via the buttons, rocker switches and roller switches of the optional multifunction steering wheel. The system comes standard with the MMI navigation plus system.

Integrated into the driver information system is the on-board computer, which includes an efficiency program. The computer gives the driver tips for efficient shifting. An enlarged representation of the gear-change indicator indicates when it is appropriate to shift gears. Another function provides information on which on-board consumers, such as the air conditioning or the rear window heating, are active and how they affect fuel consumption.

Firm hold: the seats in the A1
The front seats in the A1 offer great hold, guidance and support and seat persons of all sizes extremely comfortably. A height-adjustable driver’s seat is standard. The standard specification of the Ambition trim line includes sport seats with lumbar support and a height-adjustable passenger seat.

The easy-entry function for comfortable access to the back is standard with the Ambition package and an option with Attraction. The rear seats are anatomically contoured; the headrests can be lowered so far that they do not impair the view in the rearview mirror.

There is ample storage at all seats – two cup holders, a large tray and a 12-volt power outlet on the console of the center tunnel, plus roomy pockets in the doors and the rear side panels. The base model has a fold-up compartment on the instrument panel rather than the on-board monitor.

Audi offers a height-adjustable center armrest and a cellular phone compartment as options. The optional storage package includes so-called multi-attachment points with folding hooks in the rear, a locking glove box, a fold-down compartment under the left front seat, two storage pockets on the backs of the front seats, a net in the front passenger footwell plus three cup holders and storage trays for the rear seats.

Upscale and youthful: the quality and the materials
The premium character of the A1 is also manifested in every detail of the interior. No compromises were made compared to the larger models with respect to the choice of materials, their fit and finish and the tight, even gaps. The surface of the instrument panel is softly backed with foam and elegantly textured. All buttons and controls are seated without play and move easily; even the pull handle that unlatches the hood releases moves precisely and crisply.

Standard with the Ambition trim line and optional with Attraction are numerous aluminum-look control elements, including the entry strips, the dials for the air conditioning system, the glove box handle and the light dials. The ring of the three-spoke sport steering wheel, the handbrake handle and the gear shift lever are wrapped in leather and adorned with subtle aluminum clips.

There are numerous differences in the materials used in the two lines. Attraction features black or titanium gray cloth upholstery with the center console, armrest, map pocket and speaker grilles in the same color. The sport seats in the Ambition line feature a two-color design with titanium gray or wasabi green as a contrasting color to black. A completely black interior is also available as an option.

The media style package offers velvet beige as an alternative. The optional Milano leather upholstery is available here and with the Ambition line in a choice of three colors and combinations. The center console and the armrest in the door match the seat color; the bezels of the air vents gleam in the interior color, high-gloss white or aluminum look.

Everything about colors and trim is novel, youthful and modern. A large choice of colors is available for the bezels of the air vents. They are matt (Attraction) or high-gloss (Ambition) black. Printed films covered by a roughly 3 millimeter-thick (0.12 in) transparent layer provide an unusual sense of depth.

Depending on the interior color, Audi also delivers the air vent bezels in high-gloss white, titanium gray, amulet red, velvet beige and wasabi green – the latter is a trendy new color that perfectly expresses the fresh character of the A1. Attractive colors are also available for the armrests, the map pockets, the speaker grilles in the doors and in the rear and also for the “stern of the yacht” on the tunnel.

Practical: the luggage compartment
The luggage compartment of the Audi A1 has plane walls and a low step to the loading lip. It holds 270 liters (9.53 cu ft) and is very wide because the shock absorbers are located far to the outside of the body.

The plate of the cargo floor is particularly lightweight, and parts of it are made of natural fibers. It forms a level surface with the fold-down seat backs and the loading lip. Two small latches secure the cargo floor when it is folded up. A multi-attachment point is located on the right wall.

The split rear seat backs can be folded down quickly and easily in just one step. The headrests do not have to be removed. When loaded to the ceiling, cargo volume in this configuration increases to 920 liters (32.49 cu ft). Audi also offers an optional luggage compartment package with practical storage compartments under the cargo floor, a second multi-attachment point, a versatile stretch net, a power outlet, a second light and a strap retainer. A ski and snowboard bag is offered for winter sports enthusiasts.

Audi does not compromise quality in the luggage compartment, either. The hatch unlocks electronically, including via the remote key fob. It swings up and falls securely into the latch. Its clasp has a separate, small, spring-loaded cover that keeps it from getting dirty – another typical Audi detail.

The equipment and data specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.