HOT LITTLE HATCHBACK

It’s nippy, it’s neat and the new Audi A1 proved to be a small car with a big heart when I took it on a test drive around Bahrain, writes Susan Tealby.

I was amazed when Geetan Jessen, Behbehani Audi’s sales manager, told me that the engine was a 1.4 turbo as I had assumed that this sporty machine had to boast a much larger one.
 
This compact car drove so well, offering impressive acceleration - fast enough to get you out of trouble as those menaces on the road attempt to cut you up at every roundabout and constantly switch lanes without indicating!
 
It was also a dream to park, great for those shopping trips and the fact that the A1 is also a hatchback is just an added bonus when it comes to shopping! 

Don’t just take my word for it. Even Peter Green, the general manager of the motors division at Behbehani Brothers, admits that his wife drives the A1 and he prefers to use it for shopping trips rather than his car.

My delightful Audi A1 had a smart sun-roof which not only shed extra light into the cabin but, once opened, helped to dispel all the hot air quickly at the start of the journey as soon as I switched on the AC - all down to the science of hot air rising, I’m told! It’s a valuable extra for those baking Bahraini summer days to come.

I drove around Bahrain with my colleague Lucy Middleton and visited the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, so was able to give the A1, which starts at BD9,450, a fairly good run. 

We cruised along the highway and the car continued to hold the road extremely well, cornering nicely and taking off swiftly at traffic lights. 

You could really feel the turbo kick in while accelerating. It was very comfortable and user-friendly to drive – sporty inside and out, with red and black Milano leather seats for added style. 

I have always loved the brand having had the pleasure of owing one in the UK. You are always assured of quality and reliability when you own an Audi. 

We also drove to the malls and I was struck at how easy it was to manoeuvre around tight spaces. The design offers great vision all around the car, which some larger cars lack. I felt it was very much a car for the ladies although there is bound to be some competition from the younger generation. Lucy, who is in her early 20s, was very enthusiastic and played around with all the gizmos and it wasn’t long before she had plugged her MP3 player into the media system.

It also boasts a Bose surround sound system, a ‘must have’ for me in a car as I absolutely love listening to music when travelling.

I also loved the colours available to choose from among the models available in the Behbehani showroom. I have had feedback from many lady drivers that the colour of the car they choose is very important to them. I must admit I have to agree. I particularly liked the Misano red A1.
 
Book a test drive to find out what makes the Audi A1 the next big Audi. Log onto www.audi-bahrain.com for a chance to win a BD500 gift voucher from LACOSTE.