Audi A1 Sportback Concept
Motoring Channel Staff - 2/October/2008
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Audi A1 Sportback Concept
Audi's new Mini Cooper rival, the A1, will based
on this A1 concept car and will look very similar
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Paris, France — Audi's new A1 Sportback Concept is the second concept car precursor to the all-new A1 model, after the initial A1 project quattro. It is possible that the new A1 could end up as Audi's most popular model, outselling all others including the A4. Measuring
less than four metres long, the new concept car is a 'closer to
production' model than the previous concept, and is expected to rival
the BMW-built Mini Cooper both in terms of luxury and performance. The Audi A1 Sportback Concept also shows off a new powertrain for Audi and it's parent company Volkswagen. Powered
by a 1.4-litre TFSI engine, on it's own capable of belting out a fair
bit of power and torque (110kW, 240Nm), the A1 Sportback Concept's
engine system also features a small electric motor. In essence,
Audi is preparing hybrid powertrains for its post 2010 models, and the
upcoming A1 could be the first cab off the rank. This new
powertrain combines the 110kW 1.4-litre petrol engine with a 20kW
electric generator that augments the A1's power, increasing performance
if desired. Furthermore the 150Nm electric motor can turn the
car's wheels purely on electricity. This could potentially reduce its
carbon footprint in urban situations and other low-speed environments
as the petrol engine will automatically stay switched off. It is
a true plug-in hybrid setup, meaning that the Audi A1 concept can be
plugged into the wall when not in use, to charge its lithium-ion
batteries (which provide a vehicle range of up to 100km in pure
electric mode). With its light weight and turbocharged hybrid powertrain,
the Audi A1 Sportback Concept can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in
7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 200km/h. Even with strong
performance, the compact concept uses just 3.9 litre of petrol per
100km on average, and has a CO2 output of 92g/km. Another feature
of Audi's upcoming hybrid powertrain is it's automatic start/stop and
energy regeneration facilities that help it achieve its low level
carbon output. The 5-door model has a fairly neat and tidy design
that is evocative of Audi's current design philosophy, boasting a
strong front end design with the trademark single-frame grille and LED
highlights. Audi says the A1 Sportback Concept
has "cutting-edge, dynamic styling" to match its compact 3.99
metre length and 1.75 metre width and will incorporate a range of
"visionary technical solutions [to] take efficiency, dynamism and
motoring pleasure into new territory as only Audi knows how." Sounds a bit kinky really. Mated
to the hybrid 1.4 TFSI engine will be an S tronic dual clutch
transmission, most likely with seven forward ratios, which will
transfer engine power to the front wheels. Under full throttle
the front-wheel drive vehicle initiates a newly developed,
ESP-controlled active front differential lock to keep torque steer low
and tyre traction high. Related Links:
- Audi Metroproject quattro Concept (2009)
- Audi TT Clubsport quattro (2008)
- Audi A3 Clubsport Quattro concept (2008)
- Audi S3 (Road Test)
- Audi S4 (2009)
- Audi R8 GT3 (2009)
- Audi RS6 Sedan (2009)
- Audi A6 (2009)
- Audi A5 (Road Test)
- Audi Vehicle Schedule Leak (2010)
- Audi A4 (2008)
- Audi TT Coupe (Road Test)
- Audi
RS 4 (Road Test)
- Audi S8 (Road Test)
- Audi Q5 (2009)
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