It is official: the Audi A1 will make its first sanctioned public appearance at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show. On March 02, 2010 Audi representatives will unveil their new baby to the media. Today marked the beginning of the countdown to this important company event.
Some of the scheduled dates leading up to the unveiling include a test drive with Bayern Munich football stars on January 28, a video statement from the Human Resources Director regarding the A1 and job security on February 4, and an undated online world premier with a press kit.
The A1 is a subcompact premium hatchback aimed at the young as this promotional video implies. Featured is a street graphic artist spray painting what looks like the A1 Concept car on a wall. Funky and fun the car aims to put youthful bums on Audi seats for the first time and hopefully keep them for life.
"The new A1 has Audi design in its genes," says Stefan Sielaff, Head of Design at Audi. "Like all Audi models, the ratio of greenhouse to body is between 1:3 and 2:3. The front overhang is short, but the wheel wells are pronounced, giving the A1 a wide road stance."
Much of the design is based on the two concepts; the Metroproject Quattro of Tokyo 2007 and the A1 Sportback of Paris 2008. The designers stayed largely true to the well-received shapes, which augurs well for the final product.
"Audi is renowned for taking a lot of features of its show cars into series production. The roof arch is a unique characteristic of the Tokyo show car; there is a certain dynamism in the flow of the A- and C-pillars. An important detail for customization; that much I can tell you," said Sielaff.
Design of the Tokyo and Paris show cars was a sign of things to come
The subcompact car has Audi genes yet is highly individual
New face: independence and premium for a new target group
A new name, a new segment, a new car. Is there a more fascinating challenge for a car designer? Bold and surprising design was what the Audi team was aiming for in 2007 when it designed the A1 project quattro for the Tokyo Motor Show and again in 2008 for the A1 Sportback concept for the Paris Auto Show. Both studies are emotion-packed visions for a new, young target group and the particular requirements of city driving, and have been systematically refined ever since. The future is almost here: The countdown to the A1 is on.
The car is still a secret, yet Stefan Sielaff, Head of Design at AUDI AG, is already talking about the future smallest model in the Audi family. "The new A1 has Audi design in its genes. Like all Audi models, the ratio of greenhouse to body is between 1:3 and 2:3. The front overhang is short, but the wheel wells are pronounced, giving the A1 a wide road stance."
The Audi design team has also come up with something special for the C-pillar. The coupé-like silhouette of the A1 is clearly different from that of the A3. "Audi is renowned for taking a lot of features of its showcars into series production. The roof arch is a unique characteristic of the Tokyo showcar; there is a certain dynamism in the flow of the A- and C-pillars. An important detail for customization; that much I can tell you," said Sielaff. There will be many ways to customize the A1 to your personal ideas, especially in the interior.
The single-frame grille - a central Audi design feature - will identify the A1 as an Audi. But there's a surprise in store. "We'll do something here, maybe with the corners and the width of the grille," says Sielaff. This will affect the headlights. But more on that in January 2010.
"On March 02, 2010 Audi representatives will unveil their new baby to the media" - Haha I first read that as 2010 Audi people unveiling their new baby!
Anyway, I'm sure it will look great, and sell well, seeing as it's only real rival is the Bavarian Mini. It's small and fun, but more expensive than anything else in it's class, and bought by annoying people as a fashion item. Hopefully the A1 (which'll be at the top of every list with that name) won't end up the same way.
typical, you enter the boss's office with your ideas and leave with his ideas.
these guys have the best job in the world. let the boss design one car and then make all the others look like the first car.
In my opinion, the design of the A1 could be a little bit too much for such a small car. Seeing the concept I'm always reminded of the recent Mitsubishi Colt and its ridiculous front. Anyway, I'm very curious about the A1 (and its price).
The reason why the A2 HAD TO DIE! Sexy as it was, it had a limited feminine appeal. Now though, things will be different with the A1. BMW's MINI has a fight on its hands! Graffiti has never looked so youthfully rebellious! The A1 will have plenty of machismo and attitude to spare. No shortage of engine options and interior will be Audiesque as usual; a world away from the supermini sector. However, the price will be critical to its sales success. Is nice!
