Audi has added a new member to the A1 family. It’s called the Citycarver, which first off is an interesting choice of name, implying that it’s somehow superior to a vanilla A1 hatch at navigating the urban sprawl. Yet, it has outdoorsy protective cladding around its perimeter, scuff plates front and rear, even a jacked-up ride.
We get that the buying public are now programmed to buy crossovers and SUVs, often against better judgement, but naming something Citycarver but essentially relegate the changes to some visual add-ons that’s off-theme for its purpose.
Audi already the has Alltrack moniker that it applies to more rugged versions of its wagons, yet decided that perhaps that their marketing department needed a new term to peddle. Hence, Citycarver, ladies and gentlemen.
We highly doubt that this new variant will perform or feel any different to a standard A1 since it carries over the same underlying structure and powertrain package. The adjustments to its ride height (40mm) aren’t significant enough to impact the behind-the-wheel experience unless pushed to the limit, at least by our estimation.
Kicking off the range is the 35 TFSI that uses a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 85kW. A step up yields the 35 TFSI which packs a larger 1.5-litre four-pot turbo-petrol for 110kW. Both will be predictably frugal and deliver peppy performance, just like they do in the standard A1.
The Citycarver Edition One is a limited run series of initial cars that come specified with certain specific spread cosmetic enhancements. Based off the range-topping S Line, a bit of side decal immediately informs onlookers of its exclusive status before they gawk at the 18-inch alloys and two-tone body with black exterior accents.
It’s unlikely that the A1 hatch’s chunky new sibling, the Citycarver, will make it to Australian showrooms. For now, Audi is happy to let European markets have at it, though.
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