New Audi A1 Thread Part II (Spy pics & info)

[Bartek Sikorski]

carmagazine

[VroomVroom]

Yes!

[dr Dunkel]

I like this Fiat 500 look-alike! If it turns out to be a true MINI challenger in the things that MINI is all about, this could be real winner.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by dr Dunkel

I like this Fiat 500 look-alike! If it turns out to be a true MINI challenger in the things that MINI is all about

All except driving dynamics. The people you'll see driving the A1 will be real estate agents named Donna and personal assistants yapping on their Blackberries trying to multi-task infront of the wheel. .

[dr Dunkel]

Originally Posted by Centurion

All except driving dynamics. The people you'll see driving the A1 will be real estate agents named Donna and personal assistants yapping on their Blackberries trying to multi-task infront of the wheel. .

Then it will not be a MINI challenger at all, not even close, as the driving dynamics is the core of what is MINI. Sure, funky styling seems to be important but that is not something that has been added, that is just the way they have always looked and should look.

By the way, you see those people driving MINI today

[DaSilva]

I want one som badly I can't sleep at night!!!!!!

with quattro of course

I am thinking A1 for me and A1 cab for my girl


- anyone have new pics or ps?

[HighestOfHigh]

Audi and Quattro go together like peanut butter and jelly, but Autobild is reporting that the four-ringed automaker's fabulous all-wheel drive system will be excluded from the forthcoming A1 mini car. We're a little surprised to hear that the Quattro tech won't be added considering that the A1's design study, the Audi Metroproject Quattro Concept, includes the word "Quattro" in its name. Regardless, while this news might be a problem for purists, on the practical side, the inclusion of AWD means additional weight and cost, something that's antithetical to the A1's stated mission.

The A1 will reportedly only be available with one gearbox: a seven speed S-Tronic automatic transmission. Autobild reports that the A1 will be available throughout Europe in August or September of next year, with a sportback version coming online in late 2011 and a cabriolet in early 2012. The S1 will reportedly hit production in February of 2011 with a 1.4-liter TFSI powerplant capable of a very respectable 180 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds. There's no word on whether Audi plans to offer the A1 in the U.S., but we should know more when the compact runabout is revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

- Quattro Shock: Forthcoming Audi A1 lineup reportedly to arrive without AWD — Autoblog

[Monster]

Makes sense, 4WD is unnecessary for such a small city car

[EnI]

Originally Posted by Monster

Makes sense, 4WD is unnecessary for such a small city car

Interesting & very surprising news. At least for me.

Also - No manual transmission at all?

And even regarding AWD ... that will make MINI even more special. Since offering a manual, and since there is a plan to optionally offer an innovative AWD system called "All4" (to debut in Countryman) also for the hatch & Clubman with the LCI.

[martinbo]

Not much surprise here if it turned out this way...