Car Auto Design

The new Audi A1 has been causing quite a stir since its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, and now Audi's smallest model has picked up the coveted What Car? Car of the Year 2011 award. It was a fantastic night for Audi's premium subcompact hatchback, which also took home the Best Supermini gong.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of What Car? commented: "The Audi A1 is a brilliant car: brilliantly targeted and brilliantly executed. More and more buyers are looking for smaller, more efficient cars, but with all the luxury trappings of much larger cars. That's exactly what Audi has given them - a super-stylish, high quality small car that's affordable and great fun, too."

The A1, which is described by Audi as a 'big idea condensed', was voted as the Most Exciting Car of 2010 at last year's awards. Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi said the combination of exceptional build quality, premium finishes, affordable running costs and class-leading value retention are what make the Audi A1 so sought after.