Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Audi A1 spotted wearing swirlies and not much else]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/spy-shots-audi-a1-spotted-wearing-swirlies-and-not-much-else/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/spy-shots-audi-a1-spotted-wearing-swirlies-and-not-much-else/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/spy-shots-audi-a1-spotted-wearing-swirlies-and-not-much-else/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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]

Spy Shots: Audi A1 spotted wearing swirlies and not much else originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a1audiAudi A1audi a1 metroproject...audi a1 sportbackaudi a1 sportback conceptAudiA1AudiA1Metroproject...AudiA1SportbackAudiA1SportbackConceptspyspy picsspy shotspy shotsspy-shotsSpyPicsSpyShotSpyShotsMon, 19 Oct 2009 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Audi could sell A1 in the States]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/report-audi-could-sell-a1-in-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/report-audi-could-sell-a1-in-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/report-audi-could-sell-a1-in-the-states/#commentsFiled under: ,

Audi A1 Sportback concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Luxury marques are betting big on small cars all around the world, and some are even testing the waters here in the good 'ol U.S. of A. Despite the fact that most every small car intended for premium customers in the States has failed dismally in the past, there's reason to believe that tide may be shifting, and automakers have taken notice.

Add Audi into the mix of European car companies interested in dipping a toe in the small car waters. According to a report from Bloomberg, following the undeniable success of rival BMW's Mini brand, Audi may very well engineer its next-gen A1 with U.S. distribution in mind. We've been hearing this rumor for a while now, and it's once again sourced from Audi's head of sales Peter Schwarzenbauer.

The move is seen as another possible way the four-ringed German automaker can reach its goal of outselling BMW and Mercedes-Benz in all markets all three companies compete in, including, obviously, the United States. In order to line up against Mini, Audi's A1 would likely need a price tag that's well under $20,000 - not an easy task with the car expected to sell at a significantly higher price point in Europe.


Gallery: Audi A1 Sportback Concept


[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Audi could sell A1 in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi A1 Sportback

It's hard to do battle with MINI in the premium compact segment. The Cooper and its derivatives bring style and nostalgia to the game, proving that consumers are okay with spending some hard-earned scratch on an iconic coupe.

The Audi A1 Sportback - designed to fill the slot left by the discontinued A2 - lacks the MINI's wistful sensibilities, but it comes packing an extra set of doors, four usable seats, some handsome sheetmetal and an multimedia interface that ties in with the driver's mobile phone to provide navigation, music and an internet connection. Oh, and it can make calls too.

A 1.4-liter TSI engine equipped with both a turbo and supercharger puts out 150 hp to the front wheels through Audi's S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox, and a 27 hp (and 111 lb.-ft.) electric motor drawing power from a lithium-ion battery pack can motivate the A1 in start-and-stop traffic. Look for the production A1 to debut early next year, with sales beginning in late 2009.

All the details are in the press release below the fold and check out both our gallery of live images and press shots below.

Gallery: Audi A1 Sportback LIVE


Gallery: Audi A1 Sportback Concept

Continue reading Paris 2008: Audi A1 Sportback

Paris 2008: Audi A1 Sportback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a1audiaudi a1 sportbackAudiA1Sportbackparisparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowsportbackThu, 02 Oct 2008 02:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris Leakage: Audi A1 Sportback Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/paris-leakage-audi-a1-sportback-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/paris-leakage-audi-a1-sportback-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/paris-leakage-audi-a1-sportback-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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]

Paris Leakage: Audi A1 Sportback Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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