AUDI has updated the A1 – and added a new highly-efficient three-cylinder petrol engine to the line-up.

The new turbocharged, directly-injected 1.0-litre TFSI engine will be the first three-cylinder petrol engine to be fitted to an Audi-badged car, although this configuration was the mainstay of Audi’s predecessor brands, DKW and Auto Union. Audi is predicting that when it arrives in spring next year, it should deliver at least 60mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km. Power output is 95 PS, up 6 PS over the four-cylinder 1.2 TFSI which it replaces.

The 1.0 TFSI’s 99g/km emissions would have matched those of the 1.6 TDI diesel, but Audi has tweaked that, reducing its emissions from from 99g/km to 92g/km, with combined fuel consumption improving from 74.3mpg to up to 80.7mpg.

A new electromechanical steering system reduces its assistance as vehicle speed increases, and there’s also a new chassis option including adjustable dampers for Sport models and above.

Prices for the revised A1 line-up will range from £15,390 to £21,640. Order books open in late November, with first deliveries in spring next year.