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  • Photo gallery: This is the Audi A1 Citycarver

Increasingly, the population will tend to focus on cities. But there are different ways of understanding urban life. Something that is also expressed through vehicles whose natural habitat is the one-lane streets surrounded by buildings. Sometimes, the identity is multiple, as is the case of the 'crossover', a card in the deck to which no mark renounces. It serves the urban environment and encourages to get out of it.

Like the Audi A1 Citycarver, a variant of the small of the range that, while preserving the sports line of the base vehicle, gains centimeters of ground clearance: in total, 3.5 centimeters added with suspension and greater tire profile . An argument that is the chisel of this 'sculptor of the city', a literal translation of the last name Citycarver.

It is not a distance that makes it a country vehicle, but it is useful in combination with other aspects for certain circumstances that a driver is in day to day. For example, with this modification we have noticed how the vehicle gets better off the potholes or responds better to the irregularities of the road. It almost traces the measures of the A1 Sportback: it has a length of 4.05 cm. (4.03) .

Engines and gearboxes

The Citycarver A1 arrives at dealerships from € 24,200 with two three-cylinder TFSI variants (95 and 116 horses), which will be followed later by another four-cylinder TFSI (116 horses). The 95-horsepower can only be associated with a five-speed manual transmission . The three-116-horsepower cylinder combines a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed S Tronic automatic. The 1.5 TSI four-cylinder has a cylinder disconnection system.

It is the engine that equips the A1 Citycarver 35 TFSI , which yields a power of 150 horses. The 'edition one' will arrive on the Spanish market weeks after the start of commercialization with the 1.0 TFSI engine of 116 horses and the 1.5 TFSI of 150. In all cases they are only front-wheel drive models.

It behaves with agility in narrow streets with a good level of comfort

We were able to try in Hamburg the first option, associated with the automatic transmission S Tronic. A litmus test in the second most populous city in Germany (1.8 million inhabitants), just behind Berlin, which combines narrow roads with high-capacity roads. But where else it brings out its virtues the Citycarver is in the one-way roads, with cars parked on both sides, where it becomes an agile alternative. And more if the floor is cobbled or irregular.

The three-cylinder, as it is already natural in this type of engines, can be noisy in short gears and starting. As for consumption, it approves a combined 6.4 l / 100 km. In the city, and with interruptions, we touch the 10 l / 100 km . The Edition One is available with arrow gray or pulse orange colors and 18-inch wheels . Its equipment is based on the S Line finish. The front and rear headlights are darker.

Externally transmits a more offroad character than it has, for example with the octagonal grille typical of Audi SUVs. But for certain clients, appearances remain important. The Citycarver A1 is available with nine exterior colors, two contrast for the roof and different accessories. Additionally there is a black style package for the lower areas of the body .

Both the Citycarver 25 TFSI and 30 TFSI have 16-inch light alloy wheels as standard, while the 35 TFSI are 17 inches . Audi and Audi Sport offer 17 and 18 inch wheels with tires up to 215/45, the latter in combination with the dynamic package. By combining these magnitudes, the added height is preserved at all times. It has ventilated brake discs on the front train of 276 mm diameter and 230 mm discs on the rear train. The Dynamic package includes red-painted brake calipers, adaptive dampers and Audi drive select dynamic driving system available upon request.

Three levels of equipment

The interior is very similar to the A1 Sportback. It has sports inspiration. The screen from which the infotainment system is controlled is oriented towards the driver. The digital instrumentation is standard: it includes a 10.25-inch screen. As an option, the Audi virtual cockpit . Personal is the selection of equipment, which is divided into three levels: basic, design selection and S Line. The second offers an environmental contour lighting package while the top of the range includes combinations of different materials such as synthetic leather and Alcantara. On request you can order the colors mint green and orange for the upholstery of the seats.This miscellaneous and options have between eyebrow and eyebrow a clear target audience: young and urban.

It has fully digital instrumentation of 10.25 inches as standard, with Audi virtual cockpit as an option

With this target, it is logical that in addition to aesthetics, the brand loads its inks in the technological and infotainment section. The MMI radio comes standard. The next level includes the plus version, with an 8.8-inch touch screen. Above, a 10.1 inch option . The navigation system raises suggestions based on previous paths. And, how could it be otherwise, all commands can be guided by voice commands. Although, as always, you will have to fine tune the accent and pronunciation to achieve success. It incorporates Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant, which for example, can give us the latest news of the day at the beginning of our tour.

As a vehicle with an urban vocation, the Citycarver A1 includes a series of useful services on a daily basis such as traffic information, free parking spaces, traffic lights or Wi-Fi connection for mobile devices. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and has two USB ports, one of them with the new USB-C standard . The smartphone can also be charged wirelessly. As for driving aids, it has assistance systems such as the Audi pre sense front, notice of involuntary lane change (standard), as well as adaptive cruise control and parking assistance.

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