Audi to show hybrid-electric A1 in Tokyo

Audi will not only be displaying its all-new A1 minicar at October’s Tokyo Motor Show but it will also unveil its new hybrid drive system. Targeted at premium small cars such as BMW’s Mini, the new A1 will come as a three-door hatch and be priced less than €20,000 when it goes on sale in 2010.

Production of the new minicar will top 100,000 units per year and it may be joined by a new ’shooting brake’ mini-estate, a drop-top roadster and possibly a new Q1 mini-SUV.
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david989 - 8/22/2007 11:40:49 AM

-3 Boost

Japanese hybrids rule Tokyo. Audi is stupid for launching their hybrids in Tokyo. As if their first hybrid can actually keep up with Toyota's advanced hybrid engineering.

IamEvilHomer - 8/23/2007 11:48:59 AM

+1 Boost

kalimba :)

AlexTx - 8/22/2007 2:02:25 PM

+3 Boost

Moron....
Audi was the first manufacturer to showcase a car with Hybrid Technlogy back in 1995 (or 1997); it was called the Audi Duo.
Know your stuff!

XYZZ - 8/23/2007 7:03:43 AM

+1 Boost

in the REAL WORLD, it's never about who comes up with something new first. it's about WHO DOES IT BEST.

didn't NSU invent the rotary? but where are they now? how come Mazda is the ONLY successful mfgr. of automotive rotary engines?

by the time audi or gm or WHOever comes to market with a hybrid, toyota will likely have a THIRD GENERATION hybrid.

IamEvilHomer - 8/23/2007 11:50:39 AM

+1 Boost

because rotary engines suck

Neverfollow - 8/23/2007 11:27:27 AM

+2 Boost

For your information, the Wankel Rotary was sold to Mazda by the Germans because they couldn't get it to work properly.

In my opinion, Mazda hasn't been too successful at it either. The design has major flaws to this day.

XYZZ - 8/24/2007 12:56:08 AM

+1 Boost

...

XYZZ - 8/24/2007 1:02:19 AM

+1 Boost

more examples of products that were NOT FIRST, but ended up being BEST:

1) honda van
2) toyota van
3) toyota compact pickup
4) toyota tundra
5) lexus LS, and of course..

6) toyota PRIUS.