Audi A1 (A2) Audi confirms the production of the Anti-Mini.... On German magazine Wirtschaftwoche, we can read an interview to the marketing and sale Audi manager director: what comes out from his words is the confirmation about production and selling of a model we all were waiting for: Audi A1, the opposer of puissant Mini. Therefore the Four Rings car manufacturer is said to be working on the creation of this model, which should be based on the new A000 platform. According with what we heard, this little new sports compact car is going to be develope by a cooperation between Audi and Seat car manufacturer, and it is also supposed to maintain some elements coming from the previous Golf generation, combined with others from the present Polo. As far as design is concerned, moreover, it should be inspired to the TT Shooting Brake concept car. Therefore this car should really result an anti-Mini, a winer thanks to its Audi-Volkswagen engine set, (firstly fuel FSI and diesel TDI), and ready to be appreciated thanks to its finishes and its fascinating livery. For more informations about new Audi, we paste in the following text our previous article about A1, which is still current. We have heard for a little period some gossip about Four Rings car manufacturer, which is said to be aiming to a lower segment in comparison with A3. That is why we decided to follow this voices, and to write down about this new gossip. As a matter of fact, the news of a possible Audi A2 (or maybe A1, to stress more its difference from A3), which is said to compete with Mini, has reached our ears only thanks to litlle pieces of informations we manage to pick up during some interviews with Audi's managing director Martin Winterkorn. The manager often made the interviewer understood that Audi set is going to be considerably increased in the future, even if, we dare to say, this seems to be already a present process (for example look at the SUV segment with the new Q7 or gossip and pictures about future Audi A5 coupè). In addition, we should remind that Audi brand is having a stylistic development which is for sure very appreciated form customers, all around Europe and also in Italy, and this pushes the German car manufacturer to dare more with even more important projects. There is no doubt Mini did develop much into B premium segment, a “little” car with not a very east price, but with a lot of charm and appeal and many original elements, different from its competitors. Therefore it is easy to understand why Audi is now interested in this segment, which, in its whole, has still good hopes of developing in the future. It was A2, now it’s A1 The all new “baby Audi” known as A1 will be sporty and aggressive, completely different from the earlier A2. The design will be inspired by the beautiful Audi Shooting Brake concept, seen last year in auto shows around the world. The new Audi A1 will have a strong family feeling with recent Audi models: the single frame radiator grill looks great, evolution of the one you find in today Audi’s production. We like the front lights too, with their sporty but balanced design. Audi A1’s chassis could be the same equipping Volkswagen Polo but with some modifications. For exaple the new A1 may feature Quattro all will reaction. Possible engines Which engines? Nice question. This car will be an Audi, by 100%. So expect powerful units like technologic 1.4-litre in two different versions, featuring 140 and 170bhp. Entry level could equip 1.2 TSI unit by 110bhp. Are you thinking about a “little beast”, maybe called S1? The same 1.4-litre with turbo and supercharger may develop 190bhp. Later, why not, the extreme version called RS1: 2.0 Turbo-FSI by 240bhp. This RS1 may be a tough challenger for bigger sport cars! On the other side expect one ore (probably) more diesel engines. When? The new Audi A1 will reach auto salons in 2008: expect to see it maybe in Frankfurt Auto Show. Audi may change the engines line up and some design details, so stay tuned for updates on Infomotori.co.uk!

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