Preview: 2011 Audi A1 super-mini
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Preview: 2011 Audi A1 super-mini
Preview: 2011 Audi A1 super-mini
Posted on Thursday 27 March 2008
It’s been well documented BMW is developing a new minicar to rival cars like the Mercedes Smart and upcoming Volkswagen Up! (Lupo) family, but Audi too has confirmed it will be joining the fray with the launch of its new A1 compact hatch. The new super-mini is slated to arrive in late 2010 and will be offered with both coupe and cabrio bodystyles.
Unlike their French and Italian counterparts, who specialize in compact and efficient hatchbacks, German carmakers are mostly recognized for building big and thirsty luxury cars. Thus it’s the German labels that will be finding it the hardest to meet Europe’s new carbon emissions regulations set to roll in by 2012.
To reduce their fleet-average emissions levels in line with the new regulations, carmakers like BMW and Audi are focused on increasing the number of compact low-emissions vehicles they sell. This new rendering give us an accurate look as to what to expect, revealing designers will be sticking to the lines of the A1 Metroproject concept car. Some of the elements that are unlikely to make it to production include the exposed aluminum arches, 18in alloys and LED headlights.
The baby Audi will likely feature a series of low capacity TSI and TDI units ranging from 1.4 to 2.0L, and a new mild hybrid model could also be offered. The design will use a small electric motor integrated into the drivetrain, which kicks in during high-load situations.
Posted on Thursday 27 March 2008
It’s been well documented BMW is developing a new minicar to rival cars like the Mercedes Smart and upcoming Volkswagen Up! (Lupo) family, but Audi too has confirmed it will be joining the fray with the launch of its new A1 compact hatch. The new super-mini is slated to arrive in late 2010 and will be offered with both coupe and cabrio bodystyles.
Unlike their French and Italian counterparts, who specialize in compact and efficient hatchbacks, German carmakers are mostly recognized for building big and thirsty luxury cars. Thus it’s the German labels that will be finding it the hardest to meet Europe’s new carbon emissions regulations set to roll in by 2012.
To reduce their fleet-average emissions levels in line with the new regulations, carmakers like BMW and Audi are focused on increasing the number of compact low-emissions vehicles they sell. This new rendering give us an accurate look as to what to expect, revealing designers will be sticking to the lines of the A1 Metroproject concept car. Some of the elements that are unlikely to make it to production include the exposed aluminum arches, 18in alloys and LED headlights.
The baby Audi will likely feature a series of low capacity TSI and TDI units ranging from 1.4 to 2.0L, and a new mild hybrid model could also be offered. The design will use a small electric motor integrated into the drivetrain, which kicks in during high-load situations.
In all honesty, I would rather not have them available here in the U.S. Such types of cars like the 1-Series, A-Class, and A1 just cheapen the German marques' image. Yes, they may be more performance oriented, but it cheapens the brand...
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,618
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From: NYC/ATL
Are these cars really safe, in minor accidents people get messed up, I can't imagine how people are gonna bounce back after accidents in these smaller cars.
The smart cars are starting to pop up
The smart cars are starting to pop up
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Vancouver, BC
this may sound contradictory my previoius post (which was only questioning an overall car shape really) BUT:
i do like the idea of smaller cars that have luxury features. not everyone that wants luxury also wants a yacht. i only think these mini-lux cars cheepen the brand if they're finished poorly inside (or outside for that matter) which unfortunately they sometimes are.
i do like the idea of smaller cars that have luxury features. not everyone that wants luxury also wants a yacht. i only think these mini-lux cars cheepen the brand if they're finished poorly inside (or outside for that matter) which unfortunately they sometimes are.
Let's put it this way:
Most crash tests determine if someone dies or not.
It doesn't matter how mangled or f'ked up your body is -- if you survive, it's BETTER than death.
Therefore, if it passes U.S. Department of Transportation Standards, you SHOULD SURVIVE in that thing...
Last edited by PhilipMSPT; Mar 27, 2008 at 10:11 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
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haha.. can you imagine a small car with a huge Audi grille like the one from the Q7 (or the one pictured in the first post?).
Small cars are fine. Everyone thinks anything smaller than a Civic will kill you.
Small cars are fine. Everyone thinks anything smaller than a Civic will kill you.
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