Audi A1 drop-top bound for Frankfurt in '09, aimed at MINI cabrio
Audi gave the world a preview of its new A1 mini-car last fall in the form of the MetroProject and the production version of the new A1 is expected to debut in 2010 with a lineup that should include a drop-top version to take on the MINI Cabriolet. As usual, Audi will likely bring all the bells and whistles to the A1 Cabrio, including a power top that descends fully into the back end of the car. That would give the A1 and advantage over the MINI which stacks on top of the hind-quarters. And, unlike the MINI that maintains a diminutive replica of a rear seat, Audi won't bother with the rear quarters, keeping it strictly a two-seater. In the rendering from AutoExpress the car looks more like a miniature version of the RS4 Cabrio, but the little machine won't bother with quattro all-wheel-drive. Instead, the front wheels will be powered by 1.4L TFSI engines with mated to a DSG gearbox. The A1 Cabrio should debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris 4:08PM (6/26/2008)
WOW!
I like this car a lot!
If it looks anything like that when it comes out it just may steer me away from the Sky Red Line i plan on picking up eventually.
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Bananas 5:31PM (6/26/2008)
EXACTLY what I was just thinking. I am in the market (next year) for Sky for the wife. This wouls make me wait and buy if I knew it were coming here.
Bananas 5:34PM (6/26/2008)
EXACTLY what I was just thinking. I am in the market (next year) for a Sky for the wife, but this would make me wait if I knew it were coming.
DP 4:09PM (6/26/2008)
Zounds! A great looking car! With that smaller engine, it should get pretty good mileage, right? Mid-30's maybe 40 MPG? What will this thing cost, and will they bring it to the USA?
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HotRodzNKustoms 4:21PM (6/26/2008)
knowing Audi it will cost about $10k more than I'd pay for it
So I figure $30k
Andrew Corcoran 4:22PM (6/26/2008)
Considering they said their 2.0TFSI is going to pull upwards of 36MPG in 2009, I would assume something with 0.6L less displacement would get considerably better, well into the 40s.
Seriously though, I LOVE the fact that the new 2.0TFSI gets better mileage than a 1.8L engine in a Civic. Oustanding.
Jason 4:26PM (6/26/2008)
IF you keep your foot out of boost... and when you're not in boost you're making less power than a Civic too.
2.0L turbo making 200hp? Weaksauce.
Gregg 4:12PM (6/26/2008)
So it looks like a slightly smaller TT roadster. It also looks to be bigger than a Mini, with longer overhangs and though attractive (and reminiscent of every other Audi), has almost none of the Mini's retro panache.
Audi is introducing all these new models that seem to overlap a bit with what it already has and what the VW division also offers. There's danger of cannibalization (e.g., why do both VW and Audi need a 4 door coupe, baby ute, a range of convertibles, etc.?).
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Serge K. 4:19PM (6/26/2008)
Why does Lexus need to have ES330 if there is already Toyota Camry?
Why does Acura need TSX if there is already Accord?
Why do I think that the car manufacturers are run by people that are stupid, and I am not a CEO?
Jason 4:21PM (6/26/2008)
He's right.
TSX is smaller than Accord BTW and "feels" a lot smaller, I know... I own both. :-)
I don't think this overlaps with anything that VW has. If you're talking about that little hard top vert they have... eehhhh maybe, but that's a LOT uglier than this, and I wouldn't feel gay driving the Audi.
Gregg 4:38PM (6/26/2008)
Jason, VW also has several new models planned...even a speedster droptop of the next Beetle. Anyway, speaking of Audi and feeling gay, the A4 convertible is no more butch than the Eos. However, gays and breeders will drive just about anything.
Toy Yoda 7:06PM (6/26/2008)
There is a danger of cannabalizing sales, but the same thing was said about the R8 and the Gallardo. And that has been far from the disaster cannibal-critics have predicted.
Anyways, why should Audi worry about it anyways? By modern corporate strategy, it is good to cannibalize your own sales. The thought goes, it's better to have your sales be cannibalized from an internal source, than an outside competitor.
Johnnie 4:13PM (6/26/2008)
That looks like a 2 seater, while the mini cab is a 4 seater.
Looks pretty much like an Audi verson of the VW Eos.
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Hike15 5:45PM (6/26/2008)
but how usable are the rear seats in the mini?
...exactly
arturo 4:17PM (6/26/2008)
this looks like an evo x from the front. i dont know who came out with the idea of this type of front bumpers. it looks really nice but i see it in the gtr, ford focus europe, fiesta, this and i am sure there are some more outthere. it seems like its becaming a concept design for everyone to follow and it looks good indeed. well i dont see the competion to minicooper if its to be a 2 seater. this in reality has no competition not that i know of.
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styleguy 4:17PM (6/26/2008)
this is a smaller version of the TT roadster, but i can't help think that the sales of the TT, will be somewhat affected, especially with gas and all.
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SPG 4:40PM (6/26/2008)
I think the upcoming A3 convertible would be in fact more related to the TT roadster then this car.
styleguy 4:53PM (6/26/2008)
Yes, but that does have a second row, only the TT coupe does. The roadster sans that, hence the name.
Rick 12:25PM (6/27/2008)
Having traded in a 07 Civic Ex for an 06 A4, I can chime in. The A4 averages 27mpg for me where as the Civic averaged 30mpg. Yet, when driving along the Civic is whining like crazy to get any speed and the A4 seems like it's asleep waiting for more gas to kick the booster in. It's like a Civic with power waiting to be used.
Not to mention the 2.0t can be chipped up to near 250hp and get even better gas milage. I'll be doing that soon. I'll take that from a 4 banger 3 mpg shy of a Civic.
SPG 4:38PM (6/26/2008)
The A1 and A2 have never been available in North America before.
However, there is an obious need for smaller cars right now and an attractive technology packed one could bring in some sales.
I'd love one personally.
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