Audi A1 coming to Tokyo?
The Audi A1, which will come in coupe and speedster forms as pictured above, is predicted to make its first public appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show later this year. Furthermore, it is expected that the model on display will be a hybrid. According to Auto Motor und Sport, Audi wants to move between 80,000 and 100,000 A1's per year, with the base A1 available for under 20,000 euros. The purpose of the A1 is to steal customers from BMW's MINI by being sportier and more masculine. The quote from Michael Dick, Audi's development head: "If a father is happy to sit in his daughter's car, then we made it right."
[Source: Auto Bild via German Car Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
YouFaceTheTick 1:29PM (8/01/2007)
The mini isn't masculine? WTF?
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Big J 2:37PM (8/01/2007)
The Mini looks like a glorified Beetle. It's masculine if you're a 60 year old woman looking to cart her girlfriends around to the next bridge tournament. I don't care how much it costs or how much "car" you are getting. Tiny chick ride, I am always amused when I see a guy driving one. How cute.
B Montgomery 5:29PM (8/01/2007)
Mini is a Chick car JUST like the Beetle. Every girl I know thinks it's "CUTE". Hell if I would ever buy one of them. This Audi looks cool, but its still too small just like the BMW 1 series. None of the Girly cars will do for me.
James 5:37AM (8/02/2007)
Mr Montgomery, I don't understand your logic. So small cars are automatically girly? Sounds like you've got other small things to worry about.
I bet you drive a Hummer.
Imp 1:35PM (8/01/2007)
That must be one of the dumbest quotes I've ever read.
I don't know any dads who have bought their daughter a MINI but I do know a lot of dads that bought a MINI for themselves.
You've only made it right if, after spending MINI money, the car has no problems within its first five years of driving, minimum. Build it with a five year bumper-to-bumper, minimum, and you've made it right.
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ckm 1:35PM (8/01/2007)
Too bad it's not a hatchback. It's got that extremely ugly BMW butt.
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the marais 1:39PM (8/01/2007)
Hah. Audi A1 is supposed to be "masculine?" HAHAHAHAH.
Suckers! It's still girly!
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rv 1:44PM (8/01/2007)
I didn't know the mini was masculine. At all. The name, "mini" itself is well, quite non-hetero, to put it nicely. Heck, none of my friends would even go for a test drive with me - I ended up passing on a test-drive just for the facts that a) the 2002 seemed really cheap and breakable with broken bits in the interior of the floor model already, b) it looked a bit feminine and oh yeah, c) nobody wanted to ride in it with me - couldn't even convince my dad. Round here in the California parts I see a lot of women driving these things but usually they're in their 50s-60s. Don't think this Audi looks like a silly retro car. Wonder what the price will be in the U.S. - I wouldn't hate one... Also don't like the mini's Scion-type of "aren't I cute?" customization options, but lords know my little femmobile needs racing stripes...
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Imp 1:56PM (8/01/2007)
Dude, you've got issues. Stop being a follower and start thinking for yourself. If you like the car and it satisfies whatever your needs are in a car, but it and be happy.
I couldn't give one fecal defacation on your coffe table what anyone else thinks of my car ... I didn't buy it to make anyone else happy. Similarly, I don't date a girl my parents tell me to date, I don't eat food anyone tells me to eat, and generally, I don't do what everyone else does.
- 3:06PM (8/01/2007)
So you're saying A) you're overly concerned about your penis. B) your friends have issues with their sexuality. C) around here, in California, there is no average consumer for the Mini, young old, hot and not, it's a great car.
That inane quote by Michael Dick just pushed me closer to getting a Cooper S.
Mr. Oak 1:44PM (8/01/2007)
"The quote from Michael Dick, Audi's development head"
Was this intended to be a play on words? If no, in the future please refrain from using the words dick and head in the same sentence.
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Allan 1:56PM (8/01/2007)
That coupe is terrible looking IMO. But when did the MINI become so feminine that it needed a masculine competitor? I RARELY see women driving MINIs around here.
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Lucas 2:35PM (8/01/2007)
Gorgeous and, yes, MASCULINE.
Sorry, the Mini is femme.
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F451 2:02PM (8/01/2007)
Both models are great looking! Audi just keeps putting out the hits.
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Ligor 2:43PM (8/01/2007)
now, I give that speedster a 'good looking car' remark, and it really does look good
but the picture of the A1 coupe shown here is just plain ugly
why not just take that speedster and convert it into a coupe that looks just as good
I hope they choose the right design, as of lately they been making ok cars, but FWD just wont really make them a must have car, they'll just be a 'want for your sister or mom' type of car.
Britney 2:06PM (8/01/2007)
You guys are SO right! This is an extremely girly car, almost as much so as a MINI. No doubt you all drive around in F250's. Assuming it's masculine enough, of course. Day in and day out I see you guys dubbing practically everything that comes across the screen as a chick car. Could someone perhaps make me a list of vehicles that actually aren't too girly? There's bound to be something out there that makes you feel secure in your manhood. You've just got to let the world know that you're a real man! God forbid you drive a car because you like it.
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simianspeedster 5:44PM (8/01/2007)
For all the guys who aren't comfortable in their own skin to drive a Mini, your car awaits:
http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/05/snowflake_chicken.jpg
-SimianSpeedster
Waltzon 2:06PM (8/01/2007)
With that huge Audi schnozz and the little beady eyes on the tiny coupe the Audi reminds me of Q-Bert. http://g42.org/projects/QbertCostume/classicQbert/qbert-side-lg.jpg
As for the debate over the Mini's sexuality, I would say that the Cooper S is most definitely a hot-blooded, skirt-chasing male. But the base model? Well, that one might be a switch hitter.
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Jason 4:20PM (8/01/2007)
Very sharp. I like the window line. This is how Z4's should be looking. No sagging, tacked-on lines just for the sake of having extra lines.
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MGBYG 12:50PM (8/03/2007)
The latest batch of Toyotas, VWs, and the Chrysler Sebring have done-in those swept-back headlights for me...something new, folks!!
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