RENDERED SPECULATION: If Audi's Next-Gen A3 Looks This Good Can BMW Kiss Sales Of The Upcoming 1-Series Goodbye?

On the front cover of Auto Motor Und Sport's October issue, there are a couple of renderings showing what could be upcoming Audi products. Although many people will probably look at the A4 rendering and dismiss it as the 2012 A5/S5's facade slapped on a current-generation A4's body -- that's exactly what it is -- the much more compelling story is the A3 rendering.

That's because it is simply gorgeous.

It seems to be inspired largely by the current generation A7 with contemporary, edgy lines. But one design characteristic I have picked up on is the vehicle's seemingly Alfa Romeo Brera side profile.

Knowing that Audi's "stock" is rising continuously without showing signs of relenting, should BMW be a little concerned? Remember, it recently debuted the all-new 1-Series for our European friends and to say the reception wasn't well received would be an understatement.

Then again, that's the same thing that happened with the E60 5-Series and legendarily awful E65 7-Series and they both were sales successes.

What say you, Spies?

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BondMI6 - 10/8/2011 12:20:30 PM

-2 Boost

No.

Die-hard Bimmer fans will ensure the 1 series sells decently.

That and it can always be facelifted down the road to look better.

-Bond

JRobUSC - 10/8/2011 12:54:56 PM

+3 Boost

The A3 rendering looks nice, but from what I have read the new 1-Series is actually pretty good looking in person. A lot of the writers who railed against the new 1-Series when they saw the photos did a complete 180 when they saw it in real life. So I'm sure both will sell fine.

Wimmer - 10/8/2011 6:05:02 PM

-3 Boost

I live in Munich. I see BMW prototypes on the street all the time (and photograph them) and I see the newest BMWs on the street as soon as they are out.

Here are my pictures of the new 1er taken at BMW Welt

1) http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/5442/45252096.jpg

2) http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/4282/012xmt.jpg

It's horrible. I own a 2007 BMW 118i 5-Door and my car looks a million times better than the new model. The front is so hideous, so atrociously awful I don't think many people will find it nice-looking. Design is subjective, but I hate the new 1er.

And here are some shots of a new 1er on the street.

1) http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2913/68933406.jpg

2) http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4543/71600309.jpg

3) http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/9069/77761626.jpg

4) http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/1438/18100080.jpg

Awful-looking car. The rear and side profile are decent since they look similar to the original, but the front just ruins the whole car for me. Plus, the space in the back of a 1er 5-Door is a BAD JOKE. I'd rather the car not have any rear seats at all in favor of more trunk space.

Here's a cellphone shot of mine with the drivers seat pushed back 3/4 of the way (I am 6'4").

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7241/bild848.jpg

And before you ask, I inherited the car from my sister. RWD isn't important to me at all.

Agent001 - 10/8/2011 9:51:48 PM

-1 Boost

@wimmer thx for sharing the photos

001

bmwdrvr - 10/8/2011 3:04:43 PM

+3 Boost

Why do they allow him to write posts god they are awful they are so ignorrantly opinonated it totally kills the news portion attached just post the article for gods sake..

PUGPROUD - 10/8/2011 7:12:28 PM

0 Boost

Looks like every other Audi. The 1 Series is being broken in two...three and five door stay 1 Series and coupe and convertible become the 2 Series. Lets not pass judgement until we see both new BMW series and A3 on the road sise by side.

chris760 - 10/8/2011 10:58:15 PM

+1 Boost

Well, for one thing, its not going to come with that size wheels standard, but the A3 will probably look better than the 1-series, but that doesn't make a difference for all the consumers buying the entry level hatches--they're more focused on what badge is on the hood that the rest of the car...

bmwcs - 10/10/2011 9:57:29 AM

+2 Boost

The one series will sell well. In Europe it has received very postive reviews.

skytop - 10/11/2011 9:19:58 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe some people like the squinting headlights but I feel it looks gimpy.
Reminds me of an old person squinting without their glasses.

Besides, every Korean car is duplicating the Audi so every Audi looks like a Korean crap box.

skytop - 1/28/2012 5:10:38 AM

+2 Boost

BMW 1 series looks like a bathtub on wheels. The headlights are butt ugly.

Audi has presented an attractive and dynamic looking designed A3. It does not look like a small and chunky as the BMW 1 series does.