Photo: SB-Medien
It's difficult to get excited about the Audi A1, but that's precisely what the Germans want to change with the all-new model.
Autocar magazine says its insider information points to the second-generation A1 directly targeting the MINI hardtop model when it's launched during the first half of 2018. Can they really hope to match the best in the business? Probably not in every way, but sales should go up.
It will be the third supermini hatchback based on the MQB A0 platform, which has already spawned the Ibiza and Polo replacement. Given what we know about the architecture, we're not surprised that the 2018 A1 is expected to be both sportier and more comfortable than its predecessor.
That sounds like an oxymoron, but it's really not. The MQB A0 platform brings with it much better welding and bonding techniques, drastically increasing structural rigidity. And when the body doesn't flex, you can slacken the suspension. It's the opposite of what happens when convertibles are made, as they usually have to get stiffer shocks.
The biggest design change will be dropping the 3-door body. In general, the new A1 will be wider, longer and more practical. You can probably tell that just by looking at out spyshots. In addition, the styling will be tweaked to match the benchmark set by the A8, with a hexagonal grille and all the LED jazz.
Audi has mostly been testing the "vanilla" engines, such as the 1.0 TSI, a 3-cylinder turbo unit that has already replaced the 1.2 TSI. We might not even see that many diesel engines, just a couple of 1.6 TDI carryovers that will eventually be phased out.
There will be another S1 to rival the MINI JCW, says the article. And it will continue to use a Haldex quattro system to send power to the back wheels. While that model could produce 245 or so horsepower, we believe the new Polo GTI 2-liter with 200 HP will also be available as a range-topper for the A1.
It will be the third supermini hatchback based on the MQB A0 platform, which has already spawned the Ibiza and Polo replacement. Given what we know about the architecture, we're not surprised that the 2018 A1 is expected to be both sportier and more comfortable than its predecessor.
That sounds like an oxymoron, but it's really not. The MQB A0 platform brings with it much better welding and bonding techniques, drastically increasing structural rigidity. And when the body doesn't flex, you can slacken the suspension. It's the opposite of what happens when convertibles are made, as they usually have to get stiffer shocks.
The biggest design change will be dropping the 3-door body. In general, the new A1 will be wider, longer and more practical. You can probably tell that just by looking at out spyshots. In addition, the styling will be tweaked to match the benchmark set by the A8, with a hexagonal grille and all the LED jazz.
Audi has mostly been testing the "vanilla" engines, such as the 1.0 TSI, a 3-cylinder turbo unit that has already replaced the 1.2 TSI. We might not even see that many diesel engines, just a couple of 1.6 TDI carryovers that will eventually be phased out.
There will be another S1 to rival the MINI JCW, says the article. And it will continue to use a Haldex quattro system to send power to the back wheels. While that model could produce 245 or so horsepower, we believe the new Polo GTI 2-liter with 200 HP will also be available as a range-topper for the A1.
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