Premium compact hatchback hopes to steal some attention from Mini punters.
Meister Technik Thailand has launched the all-new A1 Sportback hoping to add some colour to its lineup rather than building outright sales.
Sold as the most price-affordable Audi in the country, the A1 Sportback is available with only one petrol engine costing 2.149 million baht.
The so-badged 35 TFSI mates 150hp 1.5-litre four-pot petrol-turbo and seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
To boost its appeal among the young generation of car buyers, the A1 Sportback comes in racy S-Line trim as well as with the brand’s latest Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel.
Its most direct rival in the Thai luxury car market is the Mini Cooper 5-Door Hatch, which has 136hp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-turbo and costs 2.19 million baht.
The A1 Sportback also features the 200hp 40 TFSI spec elsewhere to match Mini’s 192hp Cooper S, but it isn’t being imported to Thailand. The Cooper S goes for 2.75-2.89 million baht.
Despite its price position, the A1 Sportback isn’t expected to sell in large numbers due to its small size and hatchback profile, two facets that usually make buyers shy away from premium imports with such a body style.
