first drive: SUV meets urban life with the AUDI A1 citycarver in hamburg

fresh but historic, dynamic yet comfortable: the AUDI A1 citycarver mirrors the balanced character of the urban environment it was designed for. based on the A1 sportback, the new car even better integrates into the life of a city, from its raised height to its nimble agility. designboom zipped around the narrow streets and over the bridges of hamburg, germany ahead of its market introduction in november 2019.

all images courtesy of AUDI AG

measuring just four meters in length, the small AUDI A1 citycarver significantly offers a higher vantage point than its siblings. its 40 mm of additional ground clearance is grown from a new suspension that accounts for 35 mm and the rest due to its larger wheels, which starts at 16-inches in diameter. the resulting height makes it easier to enter and provides better visibility for the driver as well as all other road users – a much needed benefit in the narrow yet busy streets of hamburg.

with its nine exterior colors, especially the special pulse orange tone, it is hard to miss the A1 city carver, though. the car immediately impresses with the large, black, octagonal singleframe grille at its front, which is reminiscent of the brand’s Q models (like the Q8). this evokes a robust, off-road aesthetic despite its comparably small size. its sporty body lines wrap around to the side, where it features bold wheel arches and side sills, before concluding in a redesigned rear bumper. adding a touch of elegance to the concept, it is topped off with a contrast roof in either mythos black or manhattan gray metallic.

this balanced composition of colors continues inside the generously sized interior, which offers 334 liters of luggage space. as the focal point of the cabin, the driver-oriented dashboard groups together the control panels, digital instrument cluster and air vents. these vents as well as the center tunnel console and doors sport accents in either mint, copper, orange or silver-gray colors that contrast with the surrounding black architecture. with a 10.1-inch touch display, the digital instrument cluster with AUDI virtual cockpit and MMI navigation offers an abundance of connectivity to aid city life, from mobile charging to infotainment. last but not least, the interior is completed as your personal space with a tailored bang & olufsen 3D premium sound system that delivers crisp, unique noise for all passengers, no matter the hustle and bustle outside.

the AUDI A1 citycarver blends into urban life thanks not only to its design but also its performance. it offers four drive select modes – auto, efficiency, individual and dynamic – with the latter delivering a nibble drive owing to its handling system and adjusted suspension. the 30 TFSI engine capably zips along with 85 kw and 200 Nm of torque, fitting into city centers with a fuel consumption of 5.4 to 5.2 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions limited to 122 to 118g per km.