Officially Introducing The Audi A1

[Megalodon]

Audi is risking its brand cache introducing a little ugly cheap car like this. And this benefits Volkswagen AG more than introducing a 3rd generation Beetle how...?

[vh_supra26]

Fans of Volkswagen Group vehicles are gathering this week in Austria for the annual Wörtherseetour tuner festival. Those lucky enough to make it to the festival will be able to feast their eyes on the A1 Clubsport Quattro, a special concept car that imagines a high-power, high-performance take on Audi’s smallest offering.

To be Wörtherseetour worthy, the A1 received the turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine from the TT RS and RS 3 Sportback. In this application, revisions to the turbocharger, intake, exhaust, and intercooler help power jump to 496 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. As with the TT RS, a six-speed manual and Quattro all-wheel drive help get the power to the pavement.

That much power in such a small platform means the Clubsport Quattro can run from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, and from 0 to 124 mph in just 10.9 seconds, according to Audi. That makes it quicker than Audi’s supercar in the quarter mile: The burly R8 5.2 V10 accomplishes the 0-to-60-mph dash in 3.7 seconds and requires 12.0 seconds to run from 0 to 124 mph.

As the Clubsport Quattro was designed to be an all-out track car, Audi deleted the radio and rear seats, instead fitting the interior with a chassis brace, roll cage, and the carbon-fiber bucket seats from the R8 GT. Most of the interior controls have been replaced by toggle switches, and Audi has installed additional gauges for monitoring oil pressure, turbocharger boost, and the electrical voltage. The modified A1 rides on adjustable coilover suspension, wide 19-inch wheels, and carbon-ceramic front brake discs gripped by a six-piston caliper.

A big roof spoiler and side-exit exhaust boldly demonstrate the car’s sporting premise. The car has been widened 2.3 inches, with flared wheel arches intended to recall those of the Audi Quattro. A new rear splitter, lower front fascia with gaping air intakes, and a vented hood all complete the A1’s transformation from commuter to competitor.

There are, obviously, no plans to make this concept car into a series production model. However, Audi fans who want a turn at the wheel can drive the car virtually in Need for Speed World from June 1 through June 4.This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Wörthersee event and, coincidentally, Volkswagen will debut a Europe-only, 35th Anniversary edition of the GTI there. Last year Audi debuted tamer A1 concepts at Wörthersee, but those were primarily visually modified cars that showcased Audi’s collection of add-on components.

http://wot.motortrend.com/audi-packs...#ixzz1Nx1o6ohZ

[vh_supra26]

Though we’ve been talking about an RS1 high-performance minicar from Audi for more than year now, the strongest indication yet that we might one day see such a car came from the unveiling of the Audi A1 clubsport quattro Concept at this week’s Wörthersee Tour 2011 in Austria.

Packing the automaker’s potent 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, which is used in other hot models such as the TT RS and RS3 Sportback, but with output dialed all the way up to 503 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque, the aggressively styled hatch would certainly be worthy of wearing the fabled RS badge.

Such a possibly might not appear so far-fetched it seems as the concept is in fact referred to as the RS1 within Audi, the automaker’s design chief Stefan Sielaff recently revealed to What Car?.

The Audi exec also pointed out that the A1’s engine bay doesn’t need to be modified to house the five-cylinder engine previewed in the A1 clubsport quattro Concept.

You may recall that the production form of this engine develops as much as 340 horsepower, so a detuned version matched with a quattro all-wheel drive system would be ideal for an eventual RS1.

Finally, Sielaff also mentioned that the A1 clubsport quattro Concept is a massive 880 pounds lighter than the standard A1 hatch due to extensive weight saving modifications, and while this would be too extreme for a production model, a weight saving of around 440 pounds was possible.

So just imagine it, an A1 hatch with around 300 horsepower from a turbocharged five-cylinder engine driving all four wheels and sitting in a chassis that’s been lightened by 440 pounds. Such an RS1 model would become an instant classic.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...t-possible-rs1

[Giccin]

I'd be amazed if it came with racing seats and harnesses. Lol

[RRnold]

Nylon straps for the glove and door handles! Now, that's what I'm talking about!! screw pwr, manual baby!

The contrasting tach and speedometer

[bofa]

That's a lot of carbon fiber... hopefully they didn't just wrap it

[john]

Looks like a rally car. Especially with those rallyish turbo wheels.

[#87]

That is actually really sick

Would definitely consider buying that

[tranzformer]

Very impressive. If they brought the RS1 over that would be sweet but I'm sure it would be priced at a point where it would be out of reach for many and those who could afford it wouldn't want to be in a small 2 door Audi hatch. The USA is rarely fortunate enough to get the RS versions. Last I remember the RS3 was like $60k in Germany. So the RS1 would probably be just under $40k in the USA as a guess. That is a lot to pay for basically a VW Polo with some kick to it.

[tranzformer]

Also I doubt they production version gets 300hp. I would guess 200-220 and probably use their 4banger turbo instead of the 5.

[vh_supra26]

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI by Senner Tuning – Click above for high-res image gallery

When the Audi A1 first came out around this time last year, Senner Tuning was among the first to take a crack at it. That was with the 1.6-liter TDI model, but now the German tuning house has come back with a more comprehensive modification of the A1 with Audi's 1.4 TFSI.
By tweaking the fuel system, air box and exhaust, Senner has boosted output from 120 horsepower up to 165 – not quite the 185-hp output of the pseudo-S1 model (nevermind the 500hp Clubsport show car), but considerably more than anything else in the A1 catalog.

The package is rounded out with white 19-inch alloys coated in low-profile rubber, riding on an adjustable suspension setup. The brown metallic paint job is offset by the white trim on the roof pillars and door mirrors as well, with a full aero kit for a more aggressive look. The interior has also been decked-out with a range of electronic gizmos, a multi-function steering wheel and two-tone black and beige leather upholstery.

All in all, the modifications come to around 10,000 euros (about $14,200 USD), or 36,590 euros including the car (that's nearly $52k). If you act fast, Senner will sell you (and by you, we mean the European version of you) the example you see here with just 50 km (30 miles) on the odometer for 29,900 euros, or around $42,400. Such a deal. Check out the high-resolution images in our gallery and the press release after the jump.

Press Release

"AUDIS BENJAMIN" – Audi A1 by SENNER Tuning AG
To be the family Benjamin may be advantageous, but it has also its disadvantages. While the whole attention is given to the youngest family member at first, he will have problems in future to stand the pace with his already established brothers. Not so the Audi A1, especially in version 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic. At first, it gives an impression of handiness and agility.
Just now, the SENNER Tuning AG in the German Ingelheim has modified even that A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic in a sensational manner, thus outshining the recent engine modification of the S1. After having covered the radiator grill in shining black, the old hand tuning ace Toni Rieger has added a front apron set together with front lip and duotone side sills. The rear apron is lent from Audi S-Line and modified by the SENNER-Tuning proprietary rear apron set in order to receive the two exhaust tubes endings on the left and right.

9x19 in. racing white Barracuda Tzunamee rims with Vredestein Ultrac Sessantra 225/35R19 XL tires all around and wheel spacing discs on front and rear axles warrant for direct road contact. The adjustable in height sports suspension version 1 Basic of KW warrants for a real car body lowering and, thus, for pure driving dynamics.

The 1.4 liters engine has been tuned up to 121 kW / 165 hp at a max. torque of 265 Newton meters, a power converter amplifying the gas signal. The carbon air box deserves also some attention. The suitable exhaust system with 90 mm end pipe on left and right – of course EC type approved – warrants for an understated sound and for the distinctive optical image. This A1 is covered by the special Audi color teak brown metallic. Only the roof arch and the mirrors are executed in contrasting amalfi white.

Of course, this "small" car has the nearly indispensable navigation system, a xenon headlight kit + a media style kit, as well as a multifunction steering wheel. Velvet beige and black are the main colors in the interior, the SENNER-Tuning foot mats with proprietary logo setting accents.
The list price including tuning measures is indicated with 36,590.00 Euro, whereat the tuning costs only are of nearly 10.000,00 Euro. Finally, we can report the happy news that the vehicle as new car is available with about 50 km (30 miles) and single day permission for 29,900.00 Euro, only.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/s...s-the-audi-a1/

[Andrea Cristiano]

As much as I like this and audi, I would take the fiat 500 over this especially when the ABARTH version arrives in 2012

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by Andrea Cristiano

As much as I like this and audi, I would take the fiat 500 over this especially when the ABARTH version arrives in 2012

Yeah I think I would agree with you as well.