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(Thu 02 Oct 08) Just under a year ago, Audi revealed what was then called the metroproject concept at the Tokyo Show. In Paris this week, the company has shown that things have moved on since then by displaying what it describes as a "possible direction" for the forthcoming production A1 supermini.
This one is a five-door known as the A1 Sportback concept, and in essence it's technically very similar to the three-door metroproject in that it has a 148bhp 1.4-litre TSI super/turbocharged petrol engine driving the front wheels through a seven-speed S tronic gearbox and backed up by a 27bhp electric motor which supplements or takes over from the engine as necessary. Performance is also similar to that of the metroproject, with a top speed of 124mph and a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are much better than those for last year's car, though, at 72.4mpg and 92g/km respectively, the latter suggesting exemption from UK road tax.
The A1 concept also has "magnetic" ride shock absorbers - carried over from the R8 and TT - in which magnets alter the consistency of the fluid inside the dampers to give an immediate change in ride and handling. Other features include drive select (already an option on existing Audi models), which provides efficiency and sport modes for the drivetrain, suspension and gearchanges, and a system which allow suitably-equipped mobile phones to be used as a navigation system or audio/video player. Previous: Peugeot Citroen Hybrids Next: Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer |
