Paris Leakage: Audi A1 Sportback Concept
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Oct 1st 2008 at 11:28AM 
Click above for gallery of the Audi A1 Sportback Concept
We'll start our live coverage of the Paris Motor Show in the wee hours of tomorrow morning, but in the meantime the embargo dam at Audi has broken a bit early and released some interesting details along with a few images of the new A1 Sportback Concept. Hinted at by the Metroproject concept from Tokyo, the new A1 is a bit shorter than the A3, which is currently the smallest member of the Ingolstadt family tree, and aims to fill the premium small car niche that is currently dominated by the MINI Cooper. The Sportback's ace-in-the-hole may be its five door body-style, offering up a dose of practicality not found in the standard BMW-based MINI. Don't expect too many styling changes to be made before the new A1 is released in Europe as an '09 model. The concept sports what appears to be a new mild hybrid powertrain with a 150-horsepower 1.4L TSI engine mated up to a 27-horse electric motor. That combo sends power through Audi's S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox, which is essentially Volkswagen's superlative DSG transmission with a new name. Mileage is spectacular at 60.3 mpg (U.S.) and carbon emissions are low, just 92 g/km. We'll know more after Audi officially unveils the A1 Sportback Concept in Paris tomorrow.
Gallery: Audi A1 Sportback Concept
[Source: CarScoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr_Pie 11:36AM (10/01/2008)
its very mitsubishi-influenced
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TJ 11:44AM (10/01/2008)
I was going to say: wow, nice Lancer!
Red 11:42AM (10/01/2008)
Makes more sense than the Clubman. Whoever designed that thing should be shot. It's an all-around PITA with hinges and crap creating blindspots that don't need to be there all for the purpose of "style".
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coolremo 11:49AM (10/01/2008)
Audi just keeps coming out with more beautiful models like the A4, Q5, R8, etc. Meanwhile BMW keeps coming out with uglier models like the X6, X1, etc.
Audi > BMW
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coolremo 11:53AM (10/01/2008)
Can't wait for the next gen A8.
skant 3:00PM (10/01/2008)
The body is just stunning and looks very handsome, although I'm not a big fan of whatever is on the grill. Of particular note are those gorgeous rims (where can i get those!) and the shorter side mirrors (I hate the new bulky mirrors).
However, I take exception to the interior. I'm hoping that because it's a concept the interior will really be toned down, particularly that horrid center console. Audi knows interiors and I'm sure they won't execute that interior...I hope.
pelzauto 3:49PM (11/27/2008)
nice design
coolremo 11:49AM (10/01/2008)
Also, what's that glassy film over the grille?
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cbraundesign 12:51PM (10/01/2008)
They needed something to show people it was a hybrid. Car companies are too timid to put a hybrid system in a car that is normal styling. They have to somehow throw in that "spaceship" wild card.
Now that said, I think this thing is beautiful. Let's hope we get it in the states.
Anyone else think the stereo with the iTunes rip off cover flow thing looks silly?
nagmashot 1:15AM (10/02/2008)
looks like a aerodynamic part, this car only use a small engine with electric engine assist, most likely it does not need the full front opening for cooling air. Closing/covering not needed openings is a easy way to significant improve the airdrag.
The worst part in car aerodynamic is the way the air gets through the engine compartment and radiators... if you don´t need that much cooling air at the radiators or engine compartment don´t let it went through it.
It is a easy way to improve modern Audi aerodynamic by covering completely or partly the single frame grill...
For example a extrem tuned Audi A4 by Hohnester the HS 650 RR a 650hp street legal 9s to 125mph track attack monster which currently holds the laprecord for street legal cars at the Oschersleben race track.
http://hohenester.pagecompany.de/images/news/48-02-small.jpg
Neo 11:54AM (10/01/2008)
It looks like Mitsubishi Lancer
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Alex 11:53AM (10/01/2008)
I really want this car to come to the US.
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zamafir 2:14PM (10/01/2008)
There's no reason not to bring it, Audi wouldn't have issues selling it with an economy of 60mpg. The rear burrows a bit from the C30, and the overall design is less fun than the metro concept, but it works. I'd love one, and I'd gladly purchase it with the tsi or a tdi powerplant.
Torrent 11:55AM (10/01/2008)
Looks like that one stubby blue Mitsubishi Concept.
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RPM 12:14PM (10/01/2008)
Do you think the average consumer can tell this apart from the Audi A3? All Audi cars look the same, the only thing differentiating them is size.
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koloth44 12:20PM (10/01/2008)
And I'm totally fine with that.
I really like Audi styling, and not having to choose between "the one that looks good" and "the one that fits my needs."
Matthew 12:38PM (10/01/2008)
@koloth44: +1!
cbraundesign 12:53PM (10/01/2008)
+1 Audi is getting better while BMW continues to disappoint. Now if Audi would only make their cars RWD...
Val 2:56PM (10/01/2008)
"Now if Audi would only make their cars RWD..." Good luck waiting for that to happen. They would first put a V12 TDI in the RS6 Avant and sell it in the us before they do that. And who needs a RWD audi when there is BMW, Benz, Lexus, CTS-V and so on. Live with it, audi is quattro, and quattro is audi.
Val 3:08PM (10/01/2008)
"Now if Audi would only make their cars RWD..." Good luck waiting for that to happen. They would first put a V12 TDI in the RS6 Avant and sell it in the us before they do that. And who needs a RWD audi when there is BMW, Benz, Lexus, CTS-V and so on. Live with it, audi is quattro, and quattro is audi.