Audi Places MINI's Convertible Squarley In The Crosshairs

Audi Places MINI's Convertible Squarley In The Crosshairs

It’s mid-summer, and Audi is celebrating in style with this: the new A1 Cabriolet.

The German supermini first broke cover last October as the Metroproject Quattro – a concept designed to showcase both the A1 and Audi’s clever electric-hybrid powertrain.

Auto Express revealed sketches of the model in Issue 981, and ever since then, the baby Audi has been casting a shadow over the car that’s set to be its main rival: the MINI.

Audi has never been one to hold back its engineers when it comes to new challenges, and it sees the premium supermini class dominated by the baby BMW as a lucrative market.

So, with an eye on the biggest possible slice of the cake, the A1 will aim to steal sales from the popular Mini Convertible. Our exclusive pictures reveal exactly how the drop-top will look when it debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009, before hitting dealers the following year.
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sectorsector - 6/25/2008 1:45:28 PM
+4 Boost
A1's gonna be a MINI competitor? the MINI looks like a shopping cart next to this thing.


IamEvilHomerIamEvilHomer - 6/25/2008 10:29:54 PM
0 Boost
wow 001 is still biast towards BMW? NNNOOOOOOOO


DexDiamondsDexDiamonds - 6/25/2008 1:56:00 PM
-8 Boost
Is Audi, or should I say Volkswagen, going to be the General Motors of Germany?


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 6/25/2008 7:30:39 PM
+1 Boost
not sure why you would insult GM in that manner, even GM couldnt rebadge, platform engineer, and part share so many vehicles


MadibaPMadibaP - 6/26/2008 2:50:20 AM
0 Boost
At least Audi have style and taste, something neither BMW or GM ever have.


HeyhuubHeyhuub - 6/26/2008 10:33:22 AM
0 Boost
So bmwdrvr is a troll!


IVANURI97IVANURI97 - 6/25/2008 2:03:41 PM
+3 Boost
I wish we could get this in the US. Would be a competitor to the MINI and the 1-Series I think. Better looking too.


M35MTM35MT - 6/25/2008 6:14:41 PM
+8 Boost
Looks very 1-series from the rear. Looks like a sweet chick car, and I mean that in a good way...seriously...chicks can have nice cars too.


DROOPYSAKKDROOPYSAKK - 6/25/2008 2:44:10 PM
+4 Boost
i would take this over the 1 series and mini anyday.


M35MTM35MT - 6/25/2008 6:15:30 PM
+4 Boost
It does look much better than the 1-Series.


MZautoMZauto - 6/25/2008 2:56:24 PM
+4 Boost
So look like a TT.


chewychewy - 6/25/2008 4:01:44 PM
+4 Boost
tell me exactly how a mini with a french engine is better than the future A1

both are front wheel drive, the mini is not actually rear wheel drive, it must be a pos according to you?


MadibaPMadibaP - 6/26/2008 2:53:10 AM
+2 Boost
Go back to your tailor park until you develop a sense of taste!


gsh23gsh23 - 6/25/2008 3:44:19 PM
-3 Boost
oh noes! an upscale eos!


M35MTM35MT - 6/25/2008 6:16:08 PM
+3 Boost
The Eos is already 40k


S30GTRS30GTR - 6/25/2008 11:43:17 PM
0 Boost
its the cabrio for vw and a look alike for audi. trust me they are coming.


VantageVantage - 6/25/2008 4:28:10 PM
+6 Boost
hahaha. More pointless comments from Bimmer fanatics. There are alot of great cars out there besides BMW


IamEvilHomerIamEvilHomer - 6/25/2008 10:31:58 PM
+3 Boost
forget about the smart car?


HeyhuubHeyhuub - 6/26/2008 10:32:13 AM
0 Boost
Forgot about the A-class?


superchicagoman11superchicagoman11 - 6/25/2008 5:32:45 PM
0 Boost
mini is much more attractive, i hope no one buys that over a mini.


M35MTM35MT - 6/25/2008 6:17:15 PM
+3 Boost
A mini looks like the 'husband' equivalent to the VW bug...if cars got married.


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 6/25/2008 7:32:33 PM
-3 Boost
i fail to see how a super small audi convertible will compete with the mini.....the mini appeals for other reasons other than its size...like its heritage and retro styling like the new fiat......Audi is really desperate to have an alternative to everything BMW makes its getting sad....and I fail to see how you can put premium in the same line as this A1 given the car we all know it will be based on...i mean seriously desperation isnt pretty at all


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 6/26/2008 9:10:59 AM
0 Boost
i guess to those that deboost.....a Cadillac Aveo, or Lexus Yaris also sound like good ideas also....and while their at why not give Lincoln a version of the Mazda 2, an Infiniti version of the versa, and go ahead give Acura a fit...lol VW and Audi are the only brands people have no problem with this stuff with its rediculous.....all i can think of with audi is the cadillac Cimarron, and how people trashed cadillac for basing its new model on a cavalier....


LUXCAR32LUXCAR32 - 6/25/2008 11:24:16 PM
+6 Boost
This could be a huge mini and 1 series competitor, but personally i think they should have put more effort into the A3 revamp and make it so that the US gets the coupe and cabrio of that! Get rid of that horrible over weight four door wagon! No one in the US likes to drive a four door wagon at that price! Do not bring A1 to Us though. I think that the A3 could have a better chance of competing with mini if made sportier. I think that a lot of people would be turned off by the fact that it only has two seats (at least in the picture). the mini convertible is mostly driven as a runabout errand car for Moms, they need that back seat, even if it is small. Bring us a good A3!!!


synxsynx - 6/26/2008 4:56:06 AM
+3 Boost
i actually can't think of i single person who would want to buy this, besides the fact that it is an audi. same for the lower priced 1-series. why not get a vw golf and be happy???

as for the mini, people dont just buy a mini because it small. they love the quirkyness and heritage that the mini offers.

this will just be a bland, boring audi. a complete turnaround to the fantastic r8 and a5. have you guys seen them in person? absolutely amazing. im a bmw guy, but if i were in the market for a new car, i would definitely consider an a5.


AudiphileAudiphile - 6/26/2008 9:15:33 AM
+2 Boost
It's a cute car, but not exactly a Mini competitor. To begin with, it doesn't have a back seat. Granted that the Mini back seat is suitable only for infants and groceries and luggage and such, but the Mini has more space. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but since the Mini's top doesn't fold up in the trunk when down, does that mean that the Mini cabrio still has trunk space?


HeyhuubHeyhuub - 6/26/2008 10:35:28 AM
+1 Boost
Most of you people who place these comments are probably american?


M35MTM35MT - 6/26/2008 11:58:01 AM
+2 Boost
American website.


saintdiablosaintsaintdiablosaint - 6/29/2008 7:24:58 PM
+2 Boost
woooo
i want one
i dont know about their price point though; will it compete with mini directly or be an " upscale alternative"?


big_rimsbig_rims - 7/1/2008 9:51:49 PM
+1 Boost
DAMN that car looks HOT!

defenitly a MINI beater

awwwwww yeeeeeeaaaaaaahh!
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