Selling premium superminis is a tricky business to say the least. Customers can already buy a fully-speced regular supermini, so the higher prices have to be justified by both the snobbish badge and a good blend of elements.
Audi seem to have gotten the formula right with the A1 from the world go. The car is based on the same platform as the Polo and the Fabia, but breathes a completely different type of posh air.
It's been designed to compete with the likes of the MINI and Alfa Romeo's Mito.
The Next Big Thing for the A1 is, of course, a drop-top version. Audi boss Rupert Stadler has previously said that making an A1 drop-top would be too expensive, since it would be a stand-alone model not shared with its cousins. However, the business case is reportedly being looked into.
Sales will, of course, not be huge, but we can think of far less attractive was to spend €20,000 than on one of these. The landaulet-style convertible, with the roof pillars conceived, would no doubt look a little strange. But the same formula is being used by the Fiat 500 and Citroen DS3 to great effect.
It's been designed to compete with the likes of the MINI and Alfa Romeo's Mito.
The Next Big Thing for the A1 is, of course, a drop-top version. Audi boss Rupert Stadler has previously said that making an A1 drop-top would be too expensive, since it would be a stand-alone model not shared with its cousins. However, the business case is reportedly being looked into.
Sales will, of course, not be huge, but we can think of far less attractive was to spend €20,000 than on one of these. The landaulet-style convertible, with the roof pillars conceived, would no doubt look a little strange. But the same formula is being used by the Fiat 500 and Citroen DS3 to great effect.