Audi a1
Audi A1 finally shows his face. The new model is the German brand’s first attempt to dominate the premium segment of the city.After a series of teasers that raised the brand fan’s blood pressure, Audi unveiled today the first official pictures of the newest model in the range: A1. The model is the first attempt from Audi to enter the segment of the city models, planning an direct attack over the favorites of the premium subcompact segment, Mini and Alfa Romeo MiTo.Audi believes that their new model is built to address to the young audiences in large cities of the world, in the support of this kind of customers coming its compact dimensions, the traffic agility and the possibility to use it without any problems in the day-by-day city life.
The lines of the new B-segment model from Audi draws its lifeblood from the recent generation of the range of the Ingolstadt automaker. A1 presents the same single frame grille found on brand’s models, the same profile line arched in the roof area, the same C pillars which gives the model a nice coupe look, the same prominent fenders that imprints dynamism and the the same headlights, with a slightly more angular shape this time. All have been implemented by the Audi designers led by Walter De’ Silva to a small segment model.The interior of Audi A1 is dominated by the horizontal line of the dashboard, which is inspired, as the Audi say, from the wing of an airplane. It is, moreover, the explanation for the interesting shapes of the vents, which remind us of an aircraft engine. The materials are high quality, betraying membership of the model in the premium segment, while the technological solutions implemented by the German brand on their new model manage to impose A1 as one of the claimants to the lead of the segment. Among them are included, the MMI Plus navigation system, which has in the center a retractable monitor found on the top of the dashboard, or the 465W Bose audio system with surround package.
Above all, Audi has chosen to give each a copy A1 an individual stamp, the future customers can customize the car depending on their needs and personal tastes. Thus, the range of colors available for the customization of the items such as dashboard, vents or, on the outside, the roof’s arch is very large, the absolute novelty being represented by the fact that a customer will be able to customize Audi A1 car after purchase, depending the currently fashionable trends or tastes.
Audi A1 will be available soon after launch with four engine options. There are two TDI diesel units and two petrol TFSI that develops between 86 and 122 HP. According to the data provided by Audi, the values reached by A1 at this chapter will be around 43.6 mpg for the 1.4 liter TFSI engine and 122 HP, while the 1.6-liter TDI unit of 90 HP will have a 61.8 mpg. All A1′s engine will be feature the Start & Stop system as standard and a package of energy regeneration from braking.
Audi A1 1.2 TFSI - 86 HP, 111 lb-ft of torque (1500-3500 rpm). Coupled to a five-speed manual transmission, takes the A1 in 12.1 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, the top speed is 111 mph. It has a mileage of 46.1 mpg.Audi A1 1.4 TFSI – 122 HP, 147.5 lb-ft of torque (1500-4000 rpm). Six-speed manual gearbox as the standard, can also be coupled to the with seven-speed S Tronic gearbox available optionally. 0-60 mph reached in 9.1 seconds. Top speed is 124 mph, the average mileage is 46.1 mpg or 43.6 mpg, depending on transmission.
Audi A1 1.6 TDI – 90 HP, 169 lb-ft of torque (1500-2500 rpm). Five-speed manual gearbox. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 12.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 111 mph. Announced mileage is 62 mpg.
Audi A1 1.6 TDI – 105 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque (1500-2500 rpm). Manual gearbox with five speeds. The time required for 0-60 mph is of 10.8 seconds, top speed reaches 116 mph. Fuel efficiency: 60 mph.
The new Audi A1 will have its world premiere on March 2, at the Geneva Motor Show, planning to enter the European markets during the spring. The base price announced by Audi 1.2-liter TFSI engine and 86 HP: €16,000 (about $22,000).
