Future speculation on the Audi A1
Infomotori's commissioned designer has come out with several more images that elaborate on the speculation surrounding Audi's possible release of a premium B/C segment competitor. Such a vehicle will assuredly be dubbed the A1, slotting below the A3, and aimed squarely at other German luxury offerings, as well as the MINI Cooper.
Andrea Rosati takes several cues from Audi's Shooting Brake concept, but manages to utilize more of the lines from the recently released TT and R8. The corporate gaping maw front clip is present and accounted for, as are the seven-spoke wheels pulled straight from the RS4. From there however, the diversions become more apparent, with a much more upright stance that runs counter to Audi's current low slung offerings, as well as narrower headlamps that are pulled back at a more extreme angle to the outsides of the vehicle, starkly contrasting the lights currently employed by the TT.
Although we have normally dispatch most artist's renderings as pure speculation, there were a few trick elements that we'd like to see utilized on future Audis: namely, the angular central exhaust outlet and the Audi-logo-turned-third-brake-light.
Follow the "Read" link for all the renderings, a few pics of the Shooting Brake Concept and some speculation on possible powertrains.
[Source: Infomotori.co.uk]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash machado 7:12AM (1/24/2007)
I feeel sad that luxury makes like Audi are going downmarket and devaluing their brand equity. I wish Audi,Mercedes etc stuck to the luxury categories and never made vehicles below the A4,C-class,3-Series category
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Justin 8:32AM (1/24/2007)
The current economy and market call for automakers to sell more. Smaller outfits need to be able to compete and turn a profit. Only way to do that is to broaden their buyer base.
Besides...the Mercedes and Audi will still not be considered "cheap" by any means.
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Steve S 10:17AM (1/24/2007)
Audi should just make the Shooting brake concept as is. Loved it when tehy brought it out.
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Tiago do Vale 9:29AM (1/24/2007)
And besides, all of this started with the BMW 3-series compact: it was so long ago, and I don't see BMW's image touched in any way...
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W 9:40AM (1/24/2007)
If Audi toned down the headlamps and the grill I would prefer it to the BMW 1 series.
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James 1:10PM (1/24/2007)
Posh Golf.
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M. 9:59AM (1/24/2007)
A3, BMW 1 series, Mercedes Benz A and B class all sell very well here in Europe. It is very common here to spend rather 35.000€ (about 45.000 US$) on a A3 or B class than to go for a lower spec A4 or C class.
Especially when a car is seldom used to transport more than two people the smaller option is more practical and more fun than the larger car.
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Daddy-O 10:01AM (1/24/2007)
ummm... this looks way too similar to the Mitsubishi Concept-Ct vehicle - but then again how original is Audi anyway...
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jscro 10:15AM (1/24/2007)
It's not devaulating their brands, it's selling what the market wants. I don't need, and probably won't ever purchase a larger car.
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www.AUTITO.tk 3:37PM (1/24/2007)
I agree with Steve S, the Shooting Brake was perfect in every line; it would be a good replacement for the three-door A3. But if Audi wants to release an A1, then an A2 is also coming... That would mean that the A1 would be around the size of a Mini, Swift, Ypsilon or C2 (3,60 to 3,70 m) and the A2 close to modern fat superminis like the Corsa, Punto, Clio, Fabia and 207 (4,00 m). I wouldn't think Audi will release two small cars, but one never knows...
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Colin Smith 11:33AM (1/24/2007)
Here in Europe size and quality don't necessarily equate. Most people don't want limos to drive on a daily basis, if at all, but we do like quality and the fun that can only be had from small cars.
They are also cheaper to run and fit small roads better. Actually, large cars are considered vulgar by a lot of people too.
There still is a huge gulf between the automotive mindset of many Americans and most Europeans, hence I suppose, the differing approach to car design on either side of the pond. Also, Europeans still tend to be physically smaller.
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Kevin 1:55PM (1/24/2007)
what? those wheels are from the S8. And why is the license plate so small? It make the car look out of proportion.
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kevin 12:38PM (1/24/2007)
what? those wheels are from the S8, not the RS4.
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Brian 1:47PM (1/24/2007)
Looking at the size of the license plate in relation to the rest of the vehicle, I guess the future A1 will be larger than a Q7 and have 26" wheels.
What moronic publication thought this could be what the A1 looked like?
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Tanster 8:59PM (1/24/2007)
omg, someone slapped an audi grill onto a scion xa!
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Justin 9:11AM (1/25/2007)
Andrea Rosati....please please please STOP making photochops of what you ASSUME the cars will look like.
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The Reverend 2:24PM (1/25/2007)
This is what happens when anybody on the planet can get a copy of adobe photoshop. Ugliest, least inspiring image ever. Why it's here is beyond me. If I draw what I think an Audi should look like in microsoft paint, will they report on that as well? I'll even make additions that we'd all like to see, like practical cupholders and anti-aircraft machine guns.
Also, the a2 is already out, or at least it was. GM decided to add 6 inches to it in every direction, and call it the aztec.
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