The salary you need to afford the new Audi A1 in South Africa

You will need to earn at least R59,000 per month to afford the new Audi A1 S Line on a finance plan, according to a calculation by TopAuto.

With the A1 range fast approaching the end of its lifecycle, the German automaker opted to breathe new life into the line-up, slotting the S Line in between the Advanced and Black Edition derivatives.

As the middle-of-the-range offering, Audi introduced the hatchback with a R549,000 price tag, making it around R20,000 more expensive than the base trim level.

Despite the S Line badge, Audi kept the new A1’s performance unchanged, with the model retaining the turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol motor found in the rest of the range.

This powertrain is joined by a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which sends its 85kW and 200Nm power outputs to the front wheels.

This allows the hatch to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.4 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 200km/h.

The A1 S Line also maintains the rest of the line-up’s 4.8l/100km average fuel consumption.

The hatch features a wider stance than the Advanced trimline, as well as distinct additions that distinguish it from the rest of the line-up.

This includes special S Line bumpers and roof spoiler, as well as S Line badging on its exterior panels, alongside full LED headlights with rear lights Plus, and unique 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, drivers can expect to see scuff plates with aluminium inserts with “S line” badging, as well as black and grey accents and inlays throughout the cabin.

A multi-function leather steering wheel and manually adjustable sport seats for the driver and front passenger further enhance the S Line’s sporty look and feel.

The A1 is also well-equipped, featuring Audi’s virtual cockpit, which includes a fully digital 10.25-inch driver instrument display, and an 8.8-inch centre infotainment screen with smartphone integration.

Safety and driver assistance features include a sporty suspension, electronic stability control (ESC), six airbags, hill start assist, programmable speed limiter, an advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

What you need to earn

The following formula can be used to work out the monthly payments on the new Audi A1 S Line:

• Car price – R549,000
• Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
• Interest – 10.25%
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment
• Extras – No optional extras

According to this, you’ll need to pay at least R11,827 per month for the hatchback.

Financial experts then recommend that you do not spend more than 20% of your gross monthly salary on vehicle payments.

This means you’ll need to earn at least R59,150 per month to afford the newest Audi A1 model on a finance plan.

It has to be noted that this figure does not account for insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which must all be factored into your budget.