Volkswagen Small Car Platform to get AWD

Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro Concept

Audi A1, VW Polo & Skoda Fabia to benefit

AWD is the name of the game as far as Audi is concerned with their quattro models, and their upcoming A1 based on the Metroproject Quattro Concept will be no different as VW confirms their small-car platform which also includes the Polo and Skoda Fabia will get All-Wheel-Drive.

"The new small-car platform architecture includes an all-wheel drive option," Erich Schmitt, president of Seat said.

The new platform (codenamed: PQ25) has already made its first venture in the form of the Seat Ibiza which unfortunately will not get the AWD, the next generation Polo will follow later this year with the Audi A1 in late 2009.

Source: Autonews

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catch22

Why would anyone need AWD in such a small package and considering performance levels, deploying the power to the ground should not be a problem at all. So, Audi and co. should really invest in other areas.. I've owned a quattro but it only made sense with lots of power. And just have a look at the new Audi S3. Due to the quattro drivetrain (Haldex but anyway..) it doesn't have a proper bootspace either. So A1 with quattro will be horrible then :)

May 8, 2008 7:46 am

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Joyful

AWD smaller cars are FANTASTIC for harsh weather climates for those with no need for large vehicles. My AWD smaller volvo, audi, and now Fushion have been performed perfectly in northern Michigan snows! Why do I need a huge SUV for just me? And why should I live without AWD?

November 27, 2009 3:22 pm

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wisp

On second thoughts those head lights resemble a humans angry looking eyes, doesn't it remind of of 'cats eyes' or 'owl eyes' lights so much missused by BMW...

May 8, 2008 8:28 am

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kevoluetion

They look like eyes from dragon ball Z

May 10, 2008 2:13 am

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car.fan

Fantastic car.

May 8, 2008 8:57 am

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trailer

Keep polluting the earth...No need for awds anymore in the urban areas, instead they must focus on light-weigth electric vehicles. People die starving all over the world, we make the Arabs richer, they buy more Ferraris and the whole world.

May 8, 2008 9:23 am

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Roger

you geek, go buy a 'friendly hybrid' car that has a massive carbon footprint due to it being shipped from the other side of the world.

May 8, 2008 10:25 am

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car.fan

Audi's AWD's do not pollute any more than BMW's rear wheel drives....so shhh.

May 8, 2008 9:35 am

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alessandro

So buy chinese.

May 10, 2008 2:02 pm

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Spyshot-73

Good idea if you live in uk where the potholes require a 4x4 to ge out of! . Why should we care about small cars with 4x4 when concrete is a bigger poluter? Nice car , it will be good if it has the same engine as the polo blue motion .

May 8, 2008 10:54 am

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wisp

What is the weight distribution on this car? it's front looks way to forward like the old A4's or Passats.

May 8, 2008 11:15 am

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NaBUru38

Trailer is right: the A1 won't (shouldn't) get more than 200hp, so two-wheel drive will prove more sensible for real life.

May 8, 2008 10:43 pm

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droobear

i's imagine the things 'bout a city car awd is it be very small'N'ightweight. Meaning for virtually negligable performance hit 'coz O' size of car's haldex sys. HOWZ'VER!!! Think go-cart. Think go-cart. Very small, very nimble, AWD a great benefit @@@ this size v-kill. Any size v-kill wit awd.

May 8, 2008 10:45 pm

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Topspeed

Having AWD on a small car makes no sence to me. Every body is talking on reduction on a CO2 emision and AWD without powerless engine is nothing.

May 11, 2008 12:32 pm

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droobear

mize point is being thats the actual haldex unit, itll be very much small and lightweight. there be no efficiency penalty cause weight is so negligible for a unit this size. awd is only more gas because of weight of extra driveshaft and haldex. both so small n light in a car like this.

May 17, 2008 5:58 am

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