Audi A1

{{Infobox Automobile | image = | name = Audi A1 | manufacturer = Audi AG | parent_company = Volkswagen Group | aka = | production = 2010 - | assembly = Brussels, Belgium | predecessor = Audi A2 | successor = | class = Supermini | body_style = 3-door and 5-door hatchback | layout = | platform = PQ25 | engine = 1.2 L TFSI I4 petrol
1.4 L TFSI I4 petrol
1.6 L TDI I4 diesel | transmission = 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
7-speed S tronic | wheelbase = | length =

A five door A1 Sportback model is to be launched later, in 2011. and the Alfa Romeo Mito; it will be produced at the Audi factory in Vorst, near Brussels, Belgium. The A1 is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ25 platform, the same platform used in the SEAT Ibiza Mk4 and the VW Polo Mk5.

UK launch

The UK launch date for the Audi A1 has been confirmed as the 13th November 2010. The national launch will take place from Battersea Power Station, where up to 300 Audi A1s are expected to leave London. This event is invitation only, with every Audi dealer being allowed to invite just one customer.

Engines

{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="0" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |- !colspan=10|Petrol engine |- style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" !Model !Engine !Displacement !Power !Torque !0–100 km/h,s !Top speed !Transmission !CO₂ emission (g/km) !Years |- style="background:#fff;" |1.2 TFSI||I4||1197 cc|| @6000 rpm|| @4250 rpm||11.7 || ||5-speed manual||118||2010- |- style="background:#fff;" |1.4 TFSI||l4||1390 cc|| @5000 rpm|| @1500-4000 rpm||8.9 || ||6-speed manual
7-speed S tronic (optional)||126
119||2010- |- style="background:#fff;" |1.4 TFSI||l4||1390 cc|| || ||6.9 || ||7-speed S tronic||139||2011- |- style="background:#fff;" !colspan=10|Diesel engine |- style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" !Model !Engine !Displacement !Power !Torque !0–100 km/h,s !Top speed !Transmission !CO₂ emission (g/km) !Years |- style="background:#fff;" |1.6 TDI||I4||1595 cc|| @4400 rpm|| @1500-2500 rpm||10.5 || ||5-speed manual||105||2010- |}

All engines will include a start-stop system and energy recuperation system.

Variants

In the UK, A1 trim levels will comprise SE, Sport and S line. SE is the base specification, while Sport and S line models will also have sport seats, sports suspension and larger wheels.

Concept cars

metroproject quattro

The A1 was previewed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in the form of the Audi metroproject quattro concept car. The concept seats four and features a new hybrid powertrain. With this powertrain, a Turbo FSI engine drives the front wheels via a 6-speed S-Tronic manual transmission, while a electric motor provides power to the rear wheels. The electric motor is also capable of producing of torque.

The metroproject quattro is able to travel at up to on one charge of its lithium-ion batteries, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 15%. Both power sources are available to use simultaneously, with the driver then benefiting from McPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension configuration, electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering with a low energy draw, Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping technology, and 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 7.8 seconds.

At the 2008 Leipzig Auto Mobil International show, Audi again presented the metroproject quattro, renamed the A1 project quattro. The vehicle was designed by Audi AG Project Designer in Exterior Design Dany Garand, who also presented the design during the car's Hong Kong debut.

A1 Sportback concept

Audi unveiled a second A1 concept car at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. The A1 Sportback concept is a restyled 5-door development of the metroproject quattro. Like the earlier concept, the A1 Sportback has a hybrid powertrain, with the same 1.4 L petrol engine and S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission, plus a 20 kW (27 bhp), 150 N·m electric motor. However the electric motor drives the front wheels, rather than the rear. Quoted 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration is 7.9 seconds and average CO₂ emissions are given as 92 g/km. The A1 Sportback retains the dimensions of the Metroproject quattro, except for a slightly greater length, at .

A1 e-tron

The Audi A1 e-tron concept car is an electric variant of the A1, first shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The A1 e-tron is a series plug-in hybrid, powered by an electric motor with a continuous output of , and a peak output of . A 12 kWh lithium-ion battery gives a maximum range of 50 km. A 254 cc Wankel engine is also used to power a range-extending-range generator.

Promotion

The Audi A1 has been promoted using a viral internet video release entitled "The Next Big Thing". The campaign stars Justin Timberlake and is comparable to the BMW film series "The Hire". Six episodes have been created and are available to view online. Each episode is around 3 minutes long, and shorter versions are featuring as television advertisements worldwide.

References

External links

Audi Corporate website

Audi A1 Online Special

Audi A1 project quattro (www.audi.com)

The Audi A1 Forum for UK and Europe

The Audi A1 Owners Club for UK and Europe

A1 Category:Hatchbacks Category:Subcompact cars Category:Plug-in hybrid vehicles Category:Vehicles introduced in 2010 Category:Vehicles with Wankel engines