I have just test driven the new Audi A1 and found it to be every bit as good as one would expect Audi to be. I did have concerns that a small car would lack the same quality build as the more expensive ones but I need not have worried. The version I drove was the A1 Sports 1.6 TDi five speed. Sitting inside I could feel the quality. Just closing the door, which gave a solid thud and not a tinny clunk, was the first indication that this was a well built car.

My only negative was that first gear was too short. One had to change up almost immediately when moving from traffic lights which meant that the car behind was up my tailpipe before I could accelerate away. However, once in second it became a bit of a sprinter. The on-the-road price for this model (£14,990) was very reasonable for a car that has plenty of extras, boot space and leg-room in the back. All-in-all a very nice vehicle.