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Tokyo 2007 Preview: Audi unveils A1 concept before debut
Click the image above for plenty of high-res pics.
It's been over a year in the making, but Audi has finally released the details on its newest ultra compact offering. The Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro concept takes the ethos of BMW's MINI, distills it down into a more Germanic form and loses the cute.
The three door body style is nothing revolutionary, but the somewhat femme front clip and the brushed aluminum arches give it a more demure character than some of the automaker's larger offerings.
Power comes courtesy of a 1.4-liter TSFI engine, making 150 HP and mated to an S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox. While that combination is nothing to get too excited about, it's what's behind it that is. A 41 HP electric motor is mounted on the rear axle, able to produce 147 lb.-ft. of torque when lying on the long pedal. With the new motor residing out back, this gives the A1 plug-in capability, allowing lithium-ion batteries to be charged and giving a 100 km range in pure electric bliss.
Audi also employs engine start/stop technology and brake energy regeneration, which the automaker claims decreases fuel consumption by 15-percent.
We'll have more details soon enough, but in the meantime, check out the gallery of images below.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Alex 1:29PM (10/18/2007)
one please.
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b0nes 1:39PM (10/18/2007)
Do something about that huge grill.
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Mike 1:55PM (10/18/2007)
No way the grill makes that car...
Mr. Oak 1:57PM (10/18/2007)
There is nothing wrong with the grille, if they would place the logo dead center. It would be an waesome look.
RDL 3:52PM (10/18/2007)
+1 on the centered logo.
I like it.
obie 5:27PM (10/18/2007)
i agree with you ..the grill is ugly
Mehdi Cheddadi 1:37PM (10/18/2007)
byebye prius!
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nissanfreak87 1:46PM (10/18/2007)
pretty sweet! I'm in love with the interior
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Ligor 1:46PM (10/18/2007)
a Fat 500 with an Audi grill
i think it's ok for what it is meant to be, a mini competitor
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Pokey 1:51PM (10/18/2007)
Other than the silver arches, I like it!
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RickCA 1:55PM (10/18/2007)
Uhh I dont' get why every luxo company is trying to be everything to everyone...? So what, they took a VW bug and made an Audi our of it?!?! this thing is a chick car! Give me a Mini S any day! in my opinion at least it's MUCH nicer looking inside and out!
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naggs 2:45PM (10/18/2007)
the mini interior is the one reason i would never own one. i hate it. everything else about the cooper s is just about perfect.
RickCA 2:59PM (10/18/2007)
Naggs, I can understand it being a love or hate interior, but what can be said is this: It's its own personality and looks nothing like anything else out there! Plus it can be customized over a million ways to your own taste, precisely why people love them! because who wants the same looking car everyone else has. My only gripe is what a lot of other bloggers mentioned - the price! I really think they should come down a few thousand!
Dustin 1:57PM (10/18/2007)
Kind of goofy looking, but I wouldn't mind seeing them on the road. We need more unique cars like this.
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Nicko 2:10PM (10/18/2007)
How about a pure gas or diesel version with a manual gearbox? 2.0t perhaps? That IS a monsterous grille for such a little car but center the logo like Mr. Oak said and it's better.
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Rob 2:19PM (10/18/2007)
Neat!! Put in the 1.8T Direct Injected and I'll take one :)
Snowdog 2:29PM (10/18/2007)
Well this is a concept, so I expect the grill to be softened and that hybrid drivetrain is very concept oriented and might not make it to production at all. So a normal non hybrid version will be there for certain.
Though hybrid through rear wheels is cool. Gives you AWD for fast take-off and to get you unstuck in snow, requiring no change to the standard drive train.
Attempt 5 after AB silent failure. A new record for autoblog consecutive message drops.
naggs 2:43PM (10/18/2007)
yeah the comments bugs piss me off
but it looks like they designed a convertible and then put a roof on it. there is a lot of glass, very good visibality which is nice but i expect to see a b pillar or at least significantally thicker a pillar before this sees production
overall not bad audi
Son House 2:18PM (10/18/2007)
Dammit, and I was so hoping they wouldn't gay this up. I don't care how much fun they make this to drive, it looks even more cutesy than a Mini. No reasonably straight man could be seen driving that thing.
The world really, really needs a badass-looking hot hatch.
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Craig 2:26PM (10/18/2007)
I don't think a gay with taste would want this either... it's butt ugly.