A1/S1 Official: Audi A1

[Human]

I have given my accolades to the A5 and when the A3 first arrived on the market I loved it...though the FL models look horrible...same for the A1, what a bland little chap...IMO a German version of the FIAT 500.

Accessories may beef it up a little though it's a very girlie car....

I just hope that BMW's take on the A1 is more macho...though I am afraid that this segment seems to be girl'ish...the Mini is not that macho either

Would it be safe to call this the "CUTE" segment???

 

[klier]

BMW's take on the A1? Huh? That would be Mini....

 

[Human]

^
Klier?
Didn't Norbert Reithofer admit that a FWD Beemer will see the light? With the new A1's production cycle of say 5 years BMW would have their FWD ready to compete with the A1 facelift by then or 2nd generation of the A1.
I am and always was under the impression that the FWD BMW will compete in this segment

 

[Sunny]

^
Klier?
Didn't Norbert Reithofer admit that a FWD Beemer will see the light? With the new A1's production cycle of say 5 years BMW would have their FWD ready to compete with the A1 facelift by then or 2nd generation of the A1.
I am and always was under the impression that the FWD BMW will compete in this segment

No I think it will be a much smaller city car in the same class as the smart.

 

[braaf]

Who on earth care about J Timberlake in 2010? Or even Lucy Lu Audi exhaustivly used to present the new A8.

Apparently alot of people care. Sad really. But I think it's this kind of agressive marketing thats bringing in the kudos for Audi. There's an Audi in every blockbuster movie I go and see now a days and it's bloody annoying, but there they are.

 

[SCOTT27]

I seen an A1 on the street today when I was sitting out having a light refreshment .
Surprisingly it is very dumpy when you compare it to the VW Polo. The Polo has clean crisp lines and good proportions this is more condensed. Although I think Audi are about to get a rude awakening when their inhouse competitor the next generation Beetle is revealed , according to some how have seen it it follows the more uni-sex approach by MINI and is more about image than cosmetics. It points to a Concept car of the new Beetle being shown at Los Angeles later this year.

 

[Giannis]

Seriously, Scott, do you find the A1 to be feminine? If so, what styling cues make you feel so?

Also, do you find the A1 to be easy recognizable, like a Mini, or the looks are in fact kind of more generic and conventional?

 

[footie]

I seen an A1 on the street today when I was sitting out having a light refreshment .
Surprisingly it is very dumpy when you compare it to the VW Polo. The Polo has clean crisp lines and good proportions this is more condensed. Although I think Audi are about to get a rude awakening when their inhouse competitor the next generation Beetle is revealed , according to some how have seen it it follows the more uni-sex approach by MINI and is more about image than cosmetics. It points to a Concept car of the new Beetle being shown at Los Angeles later this year.

Not a lover of the A1 either though it's a car that suits certain colours better than others. One thing I did like was the interior options and the quality of the interior itself, definitely more upmarket than either the Polo, Mini or A-class.

P.S.
You are spot on about the new Bettle, by all accounts it's meant to be stunning. No doubt about it, VW are upping their game when it comes to developing stylist products.

 

[SCOTT27]

Seriously, Scott, do you find the A1 to be feminine? If so, what styling cues make you feel so?

I like the front style of the car it looks ungeneric Audi which shows a bit more excitement but the B-pillars backwards is just too conventional , The rear lights could have been designed smaller and more shapely.

Also, do you find the A1 to be easy recognizable, like a Mini, or the looks are in fact kind of more generic and conventional?

A1 will be recognisable because there is nothing to stop you in your tracks. Some may not even give it a second glance , but some will.

MINI in the early days did stop you in your tracks because it was something new and exciting. Of course MINI has successfully integrated itself that it is now a part of the scenery , It has had it's establishment period and is now an automotive culture, not only a Brand. Something tells me the A1 will not reach the highs of MINI as a Brand and culture.

That advertising film show's Audi's desperation not only does it mimics BMW's successful "The Hire" series but in the chase sequences they speed up the footage to suggest the quickness of the A1.

Granted MINI's early days of freshness and excitement has come to an end, until the Countryman or a Coupe or Roadster come by you will stop and look. I guarantee it.

 

[footie]

@Scott,

While I agree with your opinion on the A1 and how it will be perceived by the consumer compared to how the Mini was, but do you seriously see the 0er being any different to that of the A1. Meaning do you reckon it will reach the dizzy highs of cult status that the Mini enjoyed?

I simply see the A1 as an addition to the Audi lineup, something to offer those families that buy into branding wholeheartedly and want to offer their son/daughter an Audi branded product which is relatively cheap but has the status of the badge.

 

[SCOTT27]

I am not entirely sure (yet) how we can integrate the BMW city car as a marketing concept so it depends on who we approach it to see if it leads to the same success as MINI. In all honesty MINI was the right idea at the right time , although the City car will bring a lot of firsts, with increasing competition I do not think that we will have a same level as success as recognition as we had initially with the MINI.

but the upcoming MegaCity vehicle , there could be something in that.

 

[footie]

I am not entirely sure (yet) how we can integrate the BMW city car as a marketing concept so it depends on who we approach it to see if it leads to the same success as MINI. In all honesty MINI was the right idea at the right time , although the City car will bring a lot of firsts, with increasing competition I do not think that we will have a same level as success as recognition as we had initially with the MINI.

but the upcoming MegaCity vehicle , there could be something in that.

Couldn't agree more about the Mini, it was a product the public were crying out for at the time and the very fact it mimiced the original styling so closely helped win the hearts of the older generation as well as the new. With the exception of the Mini there of only a handful of cars that have true cult status, the Beetle and Fiat 500 to name but two.

I just hope that like the Mini and the A1 that BMW offer similar youthful and exciting interior/exterior options with the 0er as this car has a harder task to winning over the faithful with it's fwd formate than just about any other brand, but I for one will consider it when it's time for my youngest starts to drive.

 

[MB_AD]

now i can see that Audi is coming to overtake Merc and BMW to be the most selling german premuim car in near future by producing low cost high production cars (BMW way of selling aka 3er)

 

[DaSilva]

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and don't forget the:http://www.germancarforum.com/audi-pictures/32267-audi-a1-picture-thread.html#post474673

 

[Human]

Spied: Audi's S1 Hothatch

LEFTLANENEWS

Our spy photographers have just sent us the first images of an Audi S1 prototype. Set to do battle with cars like the MINI John Cooper Works, Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA and Fiat 500 Abarth, the Audi S1 will likely get a tweaked version of the 1.4-liter supercharged and turbocharged TFSI four-cylinder used in the VW Polo GTi, producing at least 180 horsepower.
Backing the S1′s forced induction engine will be Audi’s latest seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The S1 will be Audi’s only S product not to offer Quattro all-wheel drive, but the hot hatch should still be capable of accelerating from 0-60 in under 6 seconds.
It is also expected that the S1 will feature a stiffened suspension set-up with magnetic dampers.
The S1 will look the part thanks to flared wheel arches, 19-inch wheels, a roof-mounted spoiler, a front splitter and daytime LED headlamps like the rest of the Audi line – including LED running lights.
As the current-generation A1 won’t be sold in North America, don’t expect to see the hotter S1 on our shores anytime soon. However, Audi has indicated that the second-generation A1 will be sold in the U.S., so here’s to hoping the next S1 also makes the journey.

 

[footie]

Under 6 seconds to sixty with only 180hp?

 

[DaSilva]

Under 6 seconds to sixty with only 180hp?

it's all about power/weight ratio. This ain't quattro .... ^^
LOL I am a few clicks away from canceling my A1 and get this S1 instead..

so my point it wouldn't mind me if it did it that fast

EDIT: Anyone else heard the rumor that the S1 is sat on HOLD on uknown time ??????!
I just got the message ..... WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ?!!!!!!!!!

 

[bmwownage]

No matter how you put it, the A1 will be a hit. I don't think it looks particular good but it doesn't need to. It's a bit like when MB first brought out the 190E, it was suddenly the "smallest premium car" (and also cheapest) and people will buy it.
Of course there are many more choices out there now but still, this is "the" cheapest car from a top premium brand. I actually even think BMW kinda screwed up when they introduced the 1series hatch, the car could have got a much cooler image to it but for some reason it doesn't, but despite that it is kind of a hit, being the cheapest real BMW of all times (ignoring the 316ti). The upcoming BMW FWD, not so sure on that, i mean a FWD Mini is OK since it doesn't have a BMW badge, but a FWD BMW is really bad and immediately, i think people will call it a budget BMW.

 

[Mr Robert]

The upcoming BMW FWD, not so sure on that, i mean a FWD Mini is OK since it doesn't have a BMW badge, but a FWD BMW is really bad and immediately, i think people will call it a budget BMW.

Becauce BMW has MINI it it's portfolio, a future FWD BMW will probably not be of the same character as the MINI.

I would love to have an S1 for a second car, if I could not have a MINI.

 

[Human]

Becauce BMW has MINI it it's portfolio, a future FWD BMW will probably not be of the same character as the MINI.

I would love to have an S1 for a second car, if I could not have a MINI.

Doc you'd be better off with the Mini,trust me