| First Drive | Ascot, UK | Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport |

If you're bored of the MINI then the new Audi A1 could be just the thing thanks to great looks, premium appeal and a decent drive. We've driven the fastest version on British roads.

In the Metal

The A1 appealed to the masses on motor show stands when it was revealed, and the pictures of the new supermini from Jack's international first drive certainly didn't change that. Seeing the A1 on UK roads for the first time creates the desired effect: nothing this small has turned heads so much since we drove the original BMW MINI through London many years ago. The A1 is a classy looker, especially with the optional contrasting roofline (at £350). It looks like a small Audi, but one injected with a cheekier personality. We like.

Inside it's more of the same, with Audi's usual precision fit, finish and tactility optionally offered with a splash of colour. It works too, the A1 lacking the retro look of the MINI and feeling fresh and interesting - yet still premium. It's pretty spacious too, with room in the back if you're flexible enough to clamber in and a boot that's far more useful than the MINI's.

What you get for your Money

You're paying for a small Audi, which means Audi's great dealer service and a respectable badge on your bonnet. Sure, it costs, but the A1 isn't any more expensive than comparable MINIs, and Audi claims that the rock-solid residuals make it more economical an ownership proposition than cheaper mainstream superminis. Equipment depends on the trim level, but even the entry-point SE comes with 15-inch alloys and air conditioning. The Sport model under test gains sports suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, front fog lamps, a leather multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth telephony.

Driving it

The 1.4-litre TFSI engine feels and sounds pleasingly sporty in the A1, it enabling the diminutive three-door to reach 62mph in 8.9 seconds and a 126mph top speed. Drive it a bit more sedately and you might manage the official combined economy figure of 53.3mpg. Good luck with that, though. The performance feels strong and the effect is enhanced by that rousing engine note. It's not as frenetic to drive as a comparable MINI, but while feeling more mature it's only marginally less fun. The ride is a bit firm on the sports suspension, but it's rarely harsh and retains decent body control and roll resistance through trickier bends.

The gearshift is light and snappy and the steering nicely weighted - if largely devoid of any real feel. That's not to say it's not fun; the A1 may lack the ultimate precision of the best handling small cars, but it's closer than you might think. There's a lot of pleasure to be had just being in it too, the A1 appealing on more than a mere driving level.

Worth Noting

Factor in a chunk of extra money for some choice options for your A1. Those LED lights? £765. That contrasting roof colour is £350 and if you want satnav it's £875. That's not unusual in the small premium marketplace though, with buyers regularly spending preposterous amounts specifying the A1's key MINI competitor.

Summary

Road testers will bemoan the fact that the A1 doesn't offer the verve of the MINI, but it's closer than you might expect. For everyday driving (sometimes overly firm suspension aside) it's a hugely desirable proposition. It's a car that owners will love and we can fully appreciate why - the Audi A1 is a very desirable small car. Expect it to be a huge hit.