Audi A1 Caught Testing in Germany

Audi’s new A1 premium compact is expected to hit showrooms in late 2010 as a 2011 model but today we have the first spy shots of actual prototypes taken as the car was undergoing testing in Germany.
Aimed squarely at other upmarket compact cars, namely the Mini Cooper, the new A1 will be available in several different variants--just like the Mini family.

The lineup is expected to be filled with the regular three-door and five-door hatchback models, but a stylish convertible and a compact MPV are likely to be launched as well.

The latest images clearly show the shape of the grille and LED detailing in the headlights. Powertrain options will range from about 1.2- to 1.6-liters in displacement and output up to 200-horsepower in a performance ‘S’ variant. A mild hybrid model may also be offered, as previewed by the 2008 A1 Sportback Hybrid Concept.

Audi A1

We have seen pictures, artist’s impressions and concept models, but not anything near what the new Audi A1 will look like. So it will be a relief to finally see what Audi’s attempt at a new city car will be like. Audi is calling the A1 a hybrid concept car, but we know that Audi will sell more gas/petrol and diesel versions than it will hybrid one.

See the Audi A1 Concept at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007. The show will run for 17 days and will open from Friday October 26th to Sunday November 11th, although the show will not be open to the public until Saturday October 27th.

C teaser image revealed

Audi has revealed a teaser image of its Audi A1 - a rival to premium superminis such as the Mini.

The image is part of a teaser video where a graffiti artist spray paints an image of the car on to a wall.

The A1 will be revealed at the Geneva motor show next spring, before going on sale in the autumn. Prices are estimated to start at around £14,000.

Audi A1 - the clues we've seen so far
We have already been given plenty of clues to what the A1 will look like in the metal. The A1 Metroproject concept car was revealed at the Tokyo motor show two years ago, and a year later a five-door 'Sportback' version was shown at the Paris show.

Both of these concept cars were petrol hybrids, although the first production cars will be more conventional. While engines have yet to be confirmed, they will be from the existing VW line-up, which means the 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI turbocharged petrol engines look certain to feature. A hybrid will follow a year or so later.

Audi A1 set for Frankfurt

Audi will put its A1 concept car into production later this year after its launch at September’s Frankfurt motor show.

The Audi A1 was first seen as the three-door Metroproject Quattro in 2007 and a five-door sportback model was unveiled at last year’s Paris motor show.

The A1 will be built at Audi’s plant in Brussels. The factory’s manager Alfons Dintner confirmed in a recent interview that production is due to start in October, ahead of an on-sale date early in 2010.

The Brussels plant will undergo a five-week shutdown period this summer to retool and prepare for production of the three-door A1 to begin.

The styling of the production model should be toned down from the concept, so don’t expect to see the frameless doors and luxurious interior in dealer showrooms.

The A1 is set to make use of the VW Group’s new 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre TSI petrol engines; a 1.4-litre TDI should also feature. An S1 model and a convertible model are also said to be under consideration.

Production of the five-door Sportback model will follow the three-door; it should begin before the end of 2009.

An Audi UK spokesman didn't confirm that A1 production was set to officially begin this year, saying only pre-production models were to be built in 2009 ahead of the car reaching UK showrooms later in 2010.