Audi Drops The Sheets And Unveils The A1, Is MINI In A Heap Of Trouble?

Audi Drops The Sheets And Unveils The A1, Is MINI In A Heap Of Trouble?
It's finally here. After all of the teasing and leading on, the A1 has be revealed. And, it is a pretty stunning car.

Throughout its design you can see pieces of the whole Audi line up. From the R8 down to the A4. And, as you would expect from Audi, they have installed a class-leading interior, again.

So, the question that is as clear as mud: This? Or, the MINI Cooper?

Autocar reports:

"Audi’s new A1 supermini is poised to become the biggest-selling model in the firm’s history following its UK launch this October. Priced from around £14,000, the A1 will provide Ingolstadt with a direct rival to the popular Mini Cooper.

The A1 was first seen as the metroproject quattro concept at the Tokyo motor show in October 2007; the production car features many of the same styling cues. From launch, two petrol and two diesel engines will be available, all of them featuring direct injection technology and turbocharging.

Audi claims the A1 is the sportiest and most luxurious car in its class, and has provided the car with a glut of standard kit plus Mini-style customisable options. Following the three-door hatch will be five-door Sportback and cabriolet models, as well as a Cooper S-rivalling S1.

Styling

Audi is pitching the A1 as the “sportiest car in its class” featuring “unique and modern” design. The front end is little changed from the original concept. Most striking are the LED daytime running lights, which feature the ‘wing’ design from the larger A8 and R8 Audis. The concept’s large, trapezoid single-frame front grille is retained. S-line models get more pronounced front foglights.

Audi claims the car will be the most aerodynamic in its class, with a drag coefficient of 0.32. The A1 has short overhangs, a high beltline and a roof spoiler that all contribute to its sporty stance. Its wheel arches can house up to 18-inch alloys..."










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upwardsupwards - 2/10/2010 10:07:01 AM
0 Boost
The A1 looks to much like the entire lineup minister sale on there distinctive looks as much as its performance.


jeffy210jeffy210 - 2/10/2010 10:20:14 AM
+5 Boost
The only reason i'd say no, is given the iconic image of the Mini. You can make cars that look, perform, and are the size of the Mini, but there will be only one "Mini"... Just like VW grabbed the "Bug" (Beetle if you choose). I'm sure the A1 will be a great car though.


100tnega100tnega - 2/10/2010 1:06:49 PM
-2 Boost
The new generation of automotive buyers see iconic as old and tired. Audi's establishing a perception of innovation and green which is tapping into the wants/needs of today's metro commuter. I think Mini should be scared. Look at other automotive brands who've rested on their laurels for too long.


AlleVierAlleVier - 2/10/2010 4:21:35 PM
-3 Boost
I agree, 100tnega. There are a lot of people who categorically don't do retro. The A1 will appeal to those people, especially the ones who also like the Audi family resemblance or the association, in general, with a luxury marque.


fatandsassyfatandsassy - 2/10/2010 10:21:22 AM
-7 Boost
#1 it kills the 1 series. It looks stylish and sporty unlike the 1 series that looks like a 3 series put in a compacter and squeezed.


M35MTM35MT - 2/10/2010 12:17:21 PM
+8 Boost
1 series competes with the A3


pepito66pepito66 - 2/10/2010 10:30:09 AM
0 Boost
Is it a very nice cars , now we need a test drive to compare with Mini.


AlexTxAlexTx - 2/10/2010 11:07:09 AM
+1 Boost
Will it take sales away from the Mini, sure it will.
Will it dethrone the Mini.... Not so sure. The Mini is a really cool little car.
I do have a preference for the A1 mostly because it is a fresh design and it does look not as "toyish" as the Mini (appart from the JCW pacakge).
The A1 is definitely more luxurious.


supermotosupermoto - 2/10/2010 11:14:43 AM
+4 Boost
Looks pretty girly.


veyron1001veyron1001 - 2/10/2010 11:42:13 AM
+1 Boost
if they sold this car with a manual diesel option in the US I would buy it. it will have a black paint job though. the red seems to give a slight pink hue.


david999david999 - 2/10/2010 12:33:49 PM
+5 Boost

Looks cute. The highschool girls would get this for sure.


henbmwhenbmw - 2/11/2010 9:13:28 PM
+1 Boost
totally!


WillisWillis - 2/10/2010 1:05:19 PM
0 Boost
Looks great! Aggressive and cute and the same time.


AutopinionAutopinion - 2/10/2010 1:40:30 PM
0 Boost
Its okay. What's disconcerting is that Audi, of late, consistently distributes dynamic design sketches with new product releases. It unfortunate that the A1 is not as assertively designed as the sketches.


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 2/10/2010 2:33:34 PM
-1 Boost
Other than its contrasting pillars there is nothing at all special about this car in the interior design or exterior styling. It looks like a bland hatchback minus all the hype....


bfghemicudabfghemicuda - 2/10/2010 4:31:28 PM
-1 Boost
Reminds me of the HHR trying to be competition for the PT


t_bonet_bone - 2/10/2010 5:17:36 PM
0 Boost
If only the interior of this car could be put into the exterior of the MINI...


achilesachiles - 2/11/2010 2:51:58 AM
+1 Boost
9.2 0-60 from their "flagship" version hahahahaha. For more than $25k dollars, over here in the US you will get laugh at.


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