Audi A1
Encyclopedia
The Audi A1 is a supermini
-class car launched by Audi
at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Sales of the initial three door A1 model started in Germany in August 2010, with the United Kingdom following in November 2010. The car is aimed mostly at young, affluent urban
buyers.
.
The A1 is produced at Audi's Belgium factory in Forest
, near Brussels
. The A1 is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ25 platform, the same platform used in the SEAT Ibiza
Mk4 and the VW Polo Mk5, and in its development Audi has collaborated with SEAT
. The A1 uses a MacPherson strut
front and torsion beam
rear suspension.
The 100,000th A1 was produced in June 2011.
All engines will include a start-stop system
and energy recuperation system.
and PHEV variety.
The A1 was previewed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show
in the form of the Audi metroproject quattro concept car
. The concept seats four and features a new hybrid powertrain. With this powertrain, a 1.4 l (85.4 cu in) 148 bhp Turbo FSI engine drives the front wheels via a six-speed S-Tronic
, while a 40 bhp electric motor provides power to the rear wheels. The electric motor is also capable of producing 148 lbft of torque.
The metroproject quattro is able to travel 62 miles (99.8 km) at up to 62 mph (99.8 km/h) on one charge of its lithium-ion batteries, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 15%. Both power sources are available to use simultaneously, with the driver then benefiting from McPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension configuration, electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering with a low energy draw, Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping technology, and 0 kilometre per hour in just 7.8 seconds.
At the 2008 Leipzig
Auto Mobil International show, Audi again presented the metroproject quattro, renamed the A1 project quattro. The vehicle was designed by Audi AG Project Designer in Exterior Design Dany Garand, who also presented the design during the car's Hong Kong debut.
variant of the A1, first shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The A1 e-tron is a series plug-in hybrid (PHEV), powered by an electric motor
with a continuous output of 45 kW, and a peak output of 75 kW. A fully charged 12 kWh lithium-ion battery gives a maximum range of 50 kilometres (31 mi), after which a 254 cc Wankel engine
is used to power a 15 kW generator
with a 12 l (25.4 US pt) fuel tank. This is estimated to provide an additional range of 124 mi (200 km).
A field testing programme of twenty A1 e-tron vehicles began in Munich
in late 2010.
event. This car has a modified version of the Audi RS 3's five-cylinder 2.5 L engine tuned to 503 PS and 660 newton metre. Capable of 0 kilometre per hour acceleration in 3.7 seconds, the car also features a restyled exterior including "blister"-style extended wheelarches reminiscent of the Audi Quattro
and minimal, lightweight interior trim.
and is comparable to the BMW film series "The Hire". Six episodes have been created and are available to view online. Each episode is around three minutes long, and shorter versions are featuring as television advertisements worldwide.
The A1 is the first car from Audi to have a tablet based brochure, called the "Audi A1 eKatalog". The brochure works on the Apple iPad
and allows the viewer to change the color of the car on almost every page. It also includes a 3D driving simulation.
magazine.
Supermini car
A supermini is a British term that describes automobiles larger than a city car but smaller than a small family car. This car class is also known as the B-segment across Europe, and as subcompact in North America....
-class car launched by Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Sales of the initial three door A1 model started in Germany in August 2010, with the United Kingdom following in November 2010. The car is aimed mostly at young, affluent urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
buyers.
Description
The A1 is designed to compete with the Mini, and Alfa Romeo MiToAlfa Romeo MiTo
The Alfa Romeo MiTo is a three door sporty supermini officially introduced on June 19, 2008, at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, with an international introduction at the British Motor Show in 2008. The car was available in all Alfa's major markets in stages from July...
.
The A1 is produced at Audi's Belgium factory in Forest
Forest, Belgium
Forest or Vorst is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.The town is commonly known for its concert hall...
, near Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. The A1 is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ25 platform, the same platform used in the SEAT Ibiza
SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza is a car in the European supermini class, constructed by the Spanish car maker SEAT S.A., is SEAT's best-selling car and perhaps the most popular model in the Spanish firm's range....
Mk4 and the VW Polo Mk5, and in its development Audi has collaborated with SEAT
SEAT
SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....
. The A1 uses a MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in modern vehicles and named after Earle S. MacPherson, who developed the design.-History:...
front and torsion beam
Torsion beam suspension
thumb|250px|A front [[VW Beetle]] suspension cross-sectionA torsion bar suspension, also known as a torsion spring suspension or torsion beam suspension, is a general term for any vehicle suspension that uses a torsion bar as its main weight bearing spring...
rear suspension.
The 100,000th A1 was produced in June 2011.
UK launch
The UK launch of the Audi A1 was held on 13 November 2010. The national launch took place from Battersea Power Station, where up to 300 Audi A1s left London.Variants
In the UK, the A1 trim levels are SE, Sport and S line. SE is the base specification, while Sport and S line models also have sport seats, sports suspension and larger wheels, amongst other features. In 2011 Audi introduced a series of new trim levels, including Black Edition and a series of limited editions, including Competition Line and Contrast Edition. These are based on the Sport trim level with distinctive styling features.A1 Sportback
In November 2011, Audi announced the A1 Sportback model. This is a 5-door variant of the A1, identical in external dimensions, but with seating for five and slightly more interior space. Initial deliveries in the UK are expected in Spring 2012.Engines
| Petrol engine | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Transmission | CO2 emission (g/km) | Years |
| 1.2 TFSI | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1,197 cc | 86 PS @ 4,800 rpm | 160 newton metre @ 1,500-3,500 rpm | 11.7 | 180 km/h (111.8 mph) | 5-speed manual | 118 | 2010- |
| 1.4 TFSI | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1,390 cc | 122 PS @ 5,000 rpm | 200 newton metre @ 1,500-4,000 rpm | 8.9 | 203 km/h (126.1 mph) | 6-speed manual 7-speed S tronic (optional) |
124 122 |
2010- |
| 1.4 TFSI | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1,390 cc | 185 PS @ 6200 rpm | 250 newton metre @ 2,000-4,500 rpm | 6.9 | 227 km/h (141.1 mph) | 7-speed S tronic | 139 | 2011- |
| Diesel engine | |||||||||
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Transmission | CO2 emission (g/km) | Years |
| 1.6 TDI | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1,598 cc | 105 PS @ 4,400 rpm | 250 newton metre @ 1,500-2,500 rpm | 10.5 | 190 km/h (118.1 mph) | 5-speed manual | 99 | 2010- |
| 2.0 TDI | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1,968 cc | 143 PS @ 4,200 rpm | 320 newton metre @,1,750-2,500 rpm | 8.2 | 217 km/h (134.8 mph) | 6-speed manual | 108 | 2011- |
All engines will include a start-stop system
Start-stop system
In automobiles, a start-stop system or stop-start system automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing emissions...
and energy recuperation system.
Concept cars
Audi has announced several Audi A1 concept vehicles, most of which are of the hybrid vehicleHybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
and PHEV variety.
metroproject quattro
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
in the form of the Audi metroproject quattro concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
. The concept seats four and features a new hybrid powertrain. With this powertrain, a 1.4 l (85.4 cu in) 148 bhp Turbo FSI engine drives the front wheels via a six-speed S-Tronic
Direct-Shift Gearbox
The Direct-Shift Gearbox , commonly abbreviated to DSG, is an electronically controlled dual clutch multiple-shaft manual gearbox, in a transaxle design - without a conventional clutch pedal, and with full automatic, or semi-manual control...
, while a 40 bhp electric motor provides power to the rear wheels. The electric motor is also capable of producing 148 lbft of torque.
The metroproject quattro is able to travel 62 miles (99.8 km) at up to 62 mph (99.8 km/h) on one charge of its lithium-ion batteries, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 15%. Both power sources are available to use simultaneously, with the driver then benefiting from McPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension configuration, electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering with a low energy draw, Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping technology, and 0 kilometre per hour in just 7.8 seconds.
At the 2008 Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
Auto Mobil International show, Audi again presented the metroproject quattro, renamed the A1 project quattro. The vehicle was designed by Audi AG Project Designer in Exterior Design Dany Garand, who also presented the design during the car's Hong Kong debut.
A1 Sportback concept
Audi unveiled a second A1 concept car at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. The A1 Sportback concept is a restyled five-door development of the metroproject quattro. Like the earlier concept, the A1 Sportback has a hybrid powertrain, with the same 1.4 L petrol engine and S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission, plus a 20 kW, 150 N·m (110.6 ft·lbf) electric motor. However the electric motor drives the front wheels, rather than the rear. Quoted 0 kilometre per hour acceleration is 7.9 seconds and average CO2 emissions are given as 92 g/km. The A1 Sportback retains the dimensions of the Metroproject quattro, except for a slightly greater length, at 3.99 m (157.1 in).A1 e-tron
The Audi A1 e-tron concept car is an electricElectric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
variant of the A1, first shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The A1 e-tron is a series plug-in hybrid (PHEV), powered by an electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
with a continuous output of 45 kW, and a peak output of 75 kW. A fully charged 12 kWh lithium-ion battery gives a maximum range of 50 kilometres (31 mi), after which a 254 cc Wankel engine
Wankel engine
The Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine using an eccentric rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle takes place in a space between the inside of an oval-like epitrochoid-shaped housing and a rotor that...
is used to power a 15 kW generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
with a 12 l (25.4 US pt) fuel tank. This is estimated to provide an additional range of 124 mi (200 km).
A field testing programme of twenty A1 e-tron vehicles began in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
in late 2010.
A1 clubsport quattro
In May 2011, the A1 clubsport quattro concept car was shown at the WörtherseeWörthersee
The Wörthersee is an alpine lake in the southern Austrian state of Carinthia.-General facts:The lake is elongated, about 20 km long and 1–2 km wide. It stretches from the Carinthian capital Klagenfurt in the east to Velden in the west...
event. This car has a modified version of the Audi RS 3's five-cylinder 2.5 L engine tuned to 503 PS and 660 newton metre. Capable of 0 kilometre per hour acceleration in 3.7 seconds, the car also features a restyled exterior including "blister"-style extended wheelarches reminiscent of the Audi Quattro
Audi Quattro
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, now part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March.The word quattro is derived from the Italian word for "four"...
and minimal, lightweight interior trim.
Promotion
The Audi A1 has been promoted using a viral internet video release entitled "The Next Big Thing". The campaign stars Justin TimberlakeJustin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
and is comparable to the BMW film series "The Hire". Six episodes have been created and are available to view online. Each episode is around three minutes long, and shorter versions are featuring as television advertisements worldwide.
The A1 is the first car from Audi to have a tablet based brochure, called the "Audi A1 eKatalog". The brochure works on the Apple iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
and allows the viewer to change the color of the car on almost every page. It also includes a 3D driving simulation.
Awards
The Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport was awarded "Car of the Year 2011" by the British What Car?What Car?
What Car? is a long-running UK monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Fowler and published by Haymarket Motoring. First published in 1973, it is intended primarily as a magazine for consumers rather than dedicated automobile enthusiasts...
magazine.
External links
- Audi A1 Online Special
- Audi A1 project quattro (www.audi.com)