The small car revolution is about to start with the next generation of the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta. However, the premium segment is where the real magic is going to happen. 2018 will be the year when Audi begins production of the next generation A1, and according to the German media, this is a major undertaking.
All these years, people have been asking why the A1 doesn't follow the lead set by the MINI regarding engines. But the problem was that Audi had to start with a VW Polo and somehow make it magical.
Well, the all-new for 2018 supermini will be longer, wider and lower. It will ditch the slow-selling 3-door body for a sleeker 5-door design. We suspect that the overall dimensions will be closer to the old MINI Countryman than they are to the 5-door hardtop, and that's because Audi might be using the MQB.
According to Auto Bild, the A1 will also make extensive use of 2-liter engines. In place of the 1.8 TSI with 192 PS, there will be a 2.0 TSI with 200 PS. That indirectly confirms our suspicion about the Polo GTI upsizing as well.
The S1 Sportback will continue to be offered and will be joined by an RS1, one of the many new RS models Audi has planned. The former will have 250 PS and the latter 300 PS, according to our source.
But with the way downsizing has been progressing, Audi will rely heavily on 3-cylinder engines like the 1.0 TSI and a new 1.5 TDI. The smallest of the Audis will also have tech borrowed from full luxury models, like adaptive lane assist and cross traffic alert. Since a third of buyers opt for the S tronic automatic transmission, all A1 engines will be available with a twin-clutch.
Production of the A1 will be moved from Brussels to the Martorell factory in Spain, taking the place of the Q3, which is being allocated to Hungary.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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