Spy Shots: Audi A1 spotted wearing swirlies and not much else
by Sam Abuelsamid on Oct 19th 2009 at 7:59AM 
Audi probably won't be taking the wraps completely off its new small car until the Geneva Motor Show next March, but spy shooters are already out there hunting down the prototypes. The clearest image we've seen yet shows a mini-car that appears to have changed very little from the MetroProject concept that first appeared at the last Tokyo Motor Show two years ago. The new A1 is expected to go on sale around the middle of next year in Europe although its not clear if it will ever come Stateside.To keep costs down, Audi is expected to build the A1 with a conventional steel structure as opposed to the aluminum space frame of the A2 of a few years ago. Power is expected to come from a range of gas and diesel engines likely topping out at about 1.4 liters. Some of the unseen mechanical bits will likely be shared with the new VW Polo, but this is definitely more than just a re-badge job as evidenced by the completely different shape.
[Source: Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
FSM 8:16AM (10/19/2009)
US: WIll the new A1 come to the United States?
Audi: "We do not feel the the US market is ready for our awesome German snobbery by paying highly inflated prices for the 4 rings on the bumper of a tiny car."
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nighttime 8:46AM (10/19/2009)
Use a noodly appendage to make it happen, sire.
zamafir 8:52AM (10/19/2009)
um... no.
"There’s a strong chance the A1 will be arriving in North America. Last month Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s head of sales, revealed that the A1’s launch in North America could help the automaker reach its goal of surpassing BMW and Mercedes-Benz in sales in all markets by 2015.
Though the A1's position as a premium compact isn't something U.S. buyers have had much exposure to, the credit crunch and subsequent curtailing of salaries may have opened the door--along with higher average fuel prices--for a feasible, if small, sales market for the car."
Try again, looks like it may just make it over.
David 10:58AM (10/19/2009)
Or...
We plan to bring the A1[or any other VW/Audi model] to the U.S. in 2010 as an early introduction 2011 model.
[3 months later]
We plan to bring the A1 to America, but first we need to modify the European A1 for fat American people by widening the chassis by a foot and lengthening the chassis by one foot.
[2 months later]
We have decided not to offer the A1 in U.S. at this time, since the market is not ready to accept a premium hatchback.
Yaroukh 8:24AM (10/19/2009)
Why the camouflage? I guess in the end we will see another Audi that has been simply scaled down.
Should I be wrong I will gladly admit that when this thing gets its first "leakage".
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Arkz 8:37AM (10/19/2009)
I don't see the point of this. It's almost certainly going to cost a lot more than all the rivals (except maybe BMW 1series) and judging by these photos and the concept car, it's not going to be a looker. So I ask, who in their right mind would choose this over, say, a Fiat 500?
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Gungel 8:54AM (10/19/2009)
Well, If this car comes in just a couple of thousand above the Mini it will have a good chance of success. I wouldn't mind getting one.
zamafir 8:54AM (10/19/2009)
why would it certainly cost more, the a3 costs the same as the 1 series, this will slot below the a3, think golf money for a polo sized car, which, actually, is about what the 500 will cost when it comes over here. There's room for an audi starting at around $17,000.
FSM 10:05AM (10/19/2009)
Looking at the current pricing for Audi
the A3 has a base price which ranges from ~$25k-33k depending on the package
the A4 has a base price of $31k
If I had to guess, this car will go for $22k-28K here in the US depending on the engine and drive train types (I'm guessing no Quattro on this)
The mini starts at $19k which I think would be a better place for Audi to start however they typically start higher than BMW because of their supposed better amenities.
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IowaSuby 10:52AM (10/19/2009)
How many Minis sell for the base price of $19,000? I'm guessing maybe 5% or less. If Audi starts the A1 in the low 20s it would sell, *if* you get quality, features and a real Audi interior.
Luso 10:36AM (10/19/2009)
"...Audi that has been simply scaled down..."
The A1 is actually a nice looking car. Much better effort than the BMW 1-series.
http://www.carnorama.com
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Avinash machado 10:42AM (10/19/2009)
Do you have to spam your site in every comment you that you post here?
Yaroukh 10:42AM (10/19/2009)
That is something quite easy to achieve in my eyes. :)
Chroma 12:54PM (10/19/2009)
It's called dazzle camoflauge. The very same camo the British Royal Navy used in the World War.
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Sopherion 3:53PM (10/19/2009)
mmm....
A1 Steaksauce...
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P.V. 5:20PM (10/19/2009)
I still want to see one here....
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Rick 6:05PM (10/19/2009)
Front looks good, but I don't like the sloped rear window, it makes the rear 3/4 view looks strange.
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