Lower emissions for Audi's A1

Audi has improved its lowest-emitting A1, and the firm obviously has MINI's One D firmly in its sights.

Using a tweaked version of its existing 1.6-litre diesel engine, the firm's smallest car and winner of the Small Hatchback category in the Parkers New Car Awards is now capable of emitting 99g/km CO2 - exactly the same as the MINI.

Fuel economy is better too - the new car should return 74.3mpg, up from 70.6mpg in the previous model. That's also an identical figure to the One D version of the BMW-built MINI.

Available in SE, Sport and S line trims, prices haven't gone up and start at £14,480. You've guessed it - that's exactly the same as the MINI One D.

With emissions of just 99g/km, buyers will avoid having to pay any first year ‘showroom tax' as well as annual road tax thereafter. Another bonus is the 100% congestion charge discount. If you live or work in The City then you could save more than £2,500 each year in congestion charging alone, that's a huge saving compared to the price of the car and not to be sniffed at if you're counting the pennies.

BIK liability will only rise 1% over the next three years and for the next two it will sit in the 13% band, so it's bound to be a popular company car choice too.

Coupled with a five-speed gearbox, the diesel engine helps the car get to 62mph in 10.5 seconds, and go on to a top speed of 118mph. Finally we've found a discipline where the two cars differ - the MINI hits 62mph in 11.4 seconds and will go on to a slightly less impressive 114mph.

To help drive emissions down Audi has fitted stop/start and brake energy recuperation systems. Other standard equipment on the A1 includes air con, CD/MP3 player with 6.5-inch screen and ESP.