A1 Handling

[Jenny19]

What does everybody think about the handling of their A1?
I've come from a mini so I'm used to a stiff suspension set up but go kart handling, the sport suspension on the A1 feels like driving on pillows compared to the mini, but I can't say the handling is exactly impressive.
I know they aren't built to be fantastic handling cars, but I have noticed it struggling to hold to the road when I try and get it round sharper bends.
Had an A1 race back from Castle Combe to the M4 the other day across the country roads and it was pretty good along there, but there weren't any particularly sharp bends.
It's still fun to drive, I just wish I could throw it round some sharper corners!
I test drive a DS3 and the handling on that was shocking, couldn't get round a roundabout at a reasonable speed without it feeling like it was going to come off the road!

[little wong]

It's actually not that bad I find. Not as sharp as a MINI, but that's a good thing as its not as fidgety.
The rear of the A1 I find tracks around very well considering it's torsion bar rather than multilink back there. Grip levels are impressive however the steering could have more feel to give you more confidence going into corners.
It's still a fun car to drive if pushed, far more refined than a MINI and therefore I find easier to live with.
Does it handle as well as my TT, NOT a chance

[Pulp84]

Can't agree more with your assessment of the handling. I think unfortunately this is the result of torsion beam suspension.

Sometimes I find with the 185 it has too much torque through bends if you adjust the throttle mid corner. I find myself also breaking quite harshly coming up to bends because I find I don't have the confidence with the handling to go quick. The MINI JP Works I had few years ago handled so well but you paid for it with the harsh ride.

I thought the light steering didn't help so got it adjusted it through VCDS to make it heavier, but actually with the torque I find I'm wrestling to get the power down. Think I might need to change it.

Overall the handling is good but not great and this is very noticeable if you have come from a car with a reputation for excellent handling. I will also add I have yet to drive any Audi that has wowed me with handling....

[Jenny19]

I know what you mean about the confidence in the car, I knew with my mini I could literally throw it round any bend pretty quick and it would just stick to the road, with the audi I feel like it may lose its grip and spin off.
Cant comment on the torque as my engine isnt as powerful! Wouldnt mind getting a tuning box for the engine though.
To be fair, the A1 isnt built to be like a go kart like the minis are so I guess it will never be as sharp as a mini.

[Danosaurs]

disregard A1 acquire Z4

[Jenny19]

disregard A1 acquire Z4

If you're paying? Yes please!

[Spider]

Mine gets very twitcy at speed


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[J400uk]

The Polo platform means it will never be as sharp to drive as a MINI, but its certainly not bad and reasonably entertaining to drive.

[stonecriss]

its certainly less understeery than my previous A3 sportback and A4 Avant but certainly does not handle as good as my wifes old R53 mini cooper or my son's R56 mini cooper
Despite it having the heavy 2.0tdi engine its still fun to drive on my daily commute

[weasley]

I find the ride a good balance of firm yet compliant. Handling is not bad, but it is pretty understeery when pushed. I have had a couple of moments when it has pushed on earlier than I would have hoped and liked.

Coming to it from a Mercedes B Class it's like an F1 car, but an understeery one.