Audi A1, A8 Won't Show Up at Frankfurt Auto Show

Despite this year's Frankfurt Auto Show is seen by many automakers as the best moment to roll out their latest innovations, Audi is apparently having a different opinion. According to a report by Automobilwoche, the German brand doesn't want to bring the A1 and the A8 at the show anymore. We really don't know why but still, Audi will take part at the show through the world debut of the new A5 Sportback.

What's interesting is that both the A1 and A8 are expected to enter production later this year, which means the Frankfurt show could have witnessed the first public appearance of the production-ready model.

Audi A1 is one of the models that could arrive in the United States but dealerships were a bit scarred about the price. Rumors are hinting that the European A1 is likely to be priced at around 20,000 euros, with the American model to come with a similar price tag.

“They said: ‘This is impossible. You cannot charge this much for small cars. In their mind, they were thinking $18,000, because that’s the conditioning our society still has,” Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen said earlier this year.

The next generation A8 will use 8-cylinder engines, two petrol and two diesels. Engine displacements will include the 3.0l and 4.2l, both with improved fuel efficiency and start/stop system. The S8 version will likely use a 5.0l V10 FSI engine, capable of developing 620 horsepower. The new Audi A8 was projected to arrive, as we said, in 2010 to be sold as model year 2011.

"Our new flagship comes in the next year," an Audi spokesman said, without giving any other details regarding the subject.