The new Audi A1 has been spotted several times in development
This first preview of the car shows its infotainment system
It'll be based on the MQB A0 platform, shared with the Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza
The 2019 version receives different light and bumper designs, while its larger size is also clear
This altered look will come with more dynamism and more comfort than its predecessor
...according to insiders at Audi’s Ingolstadt headquarters in Germany
The aim, they say, is to eclipse the latest Mini for overall competence
This latest development car shows the new A1's wider grille and flatter bonnet with three distinctive vents, as a nod to earlier Audi competition cars
Audi plans to achieve this by using a new platform structure
...a heavily reworked suspension system that features optional adaptive damping control, a new range of engines and updated gearboxes
The new A1 is due to be revealed later this summer
Its starting price is expected to be just above the £15,560 of today’s model
The next Audi A1, as imagined by Autocar
Images of the next Audi A1 have been leaked onto the internet ahead of its official unveiling, showing the car's new, more sporting design and premium interior.
In the week that follows the first official preview picture of the car, Belgian site Autotijd has posted images of Audi's second-generation Mini rival. Although unconfirmed as legitimate by Audi, the car's look matches those seen on development cars (see gallery).
The A1 has several new design features that appear to emphasise a sporting nature. Three slats above the front grille appear to hark back to the original Sport Quattro, while bronze wheels also link the car to Audi's competition history.
The leaked pictures back suspicion that Audi is going to inject more aggression into its smallest car. Last week, the firm confirmed that the car will have a vibrant colour palette.
Audi previewed the car in yellow and detailed the colour options for the roof, wheels and spoiler. The official preview shot also showed that the car will be launched with sportier S line trim, with Y-spoke alloys fitted.
As individual as you - fit your all new #Audi #A1 with rims, roof and spoilers in different colors. #TheNewAudiA1 #EpicModeOn pic.twitter.com/BrMfYDswW9
— AUDI AG (@Audi_Press) June 13, 2018
Audi has also been confirmed that the A1 will get its Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display and MMI touchscreen infotainment system.
The new leaked images show the new design of the layout – there's a large touchscreen with MMI touchscreen technology that was previously reserved for larger Audi models.
Although the A1 is yet to be officially revealed, insiders at Audi’s Ingolstadt headquarters in Germany have previously revealed to Autocar that the new A1 will be 'more dynamic' to drive. The aim, they say, is to eclipse the latest Mini for overall competence.
“There is a maturity to the new model. The differences are instantly recognisable when you drive it,” said a source involved in recent durability testing of the new car.
Audi plans to achieve this by using a new platform structure, a heavily reworked suspension system that features optional adaptive damping control, a new range of engines and updated gearboxes.
The old PQ25 structure, dating back to 2001, has been replaced by the more contemporary MQB A0 architecture, which incorporates engineering solutions already used by the A3 for greater amortisation of production costs.
The platform employs a combination of aluminium and hot-formed steel within the floorpan. Its adoption in the new A1 provides scope for an increase in external dimensions, with the wheelbase alone up by 94mm to 2564mm.
A big change for Ingolstadt’s supermini is the end of the three-door bodystyle. The second-generation model, to be produced by fellow Volkswagen Group brand Seat at its plant in Martorell, Spain, will come in five-door Sportback form only. The move is part of a consolidation of Audi models intended to make savings that will be channelled into the development of electric cars.
The increase in external dimensions has extended the A1’s length to more than 4000mm and its width beyond the 1740mm of today’s model. As a result, the incoming car is claimed to offer more interior space and luggage-carrying capacity than its predecessor. Much of the added space is dedicated to the rear, which is said to offer greater leg, head and shoulder room.
Inside, there is a new dashboard modelled along the lines of that already seen in the larger A3.
Considerable efforts are being made to ensure that the new model attracts younger car buyers through what Audi describes as class-leading infotainment and connectivity features.
These include the optional Virtual Cockpit digital display and embedded 4G LTE in combination with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink. Driving assistance functions include front assist, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring systems, as well as a tyre pressure monitoring feature and a speed limiter.
The engine line-up of the new A1 is expected to largely mirror the new Polo’s. On the petrol side, a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder TFSI unit delivering up to 113bhp will remain the entry-level engine.
Further up the range, a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit with 148bhp slots in as a successor to the old turbo 1.4-litre four-cylinder motor.
Topping the initial range will be the S1, although it isn’t expected to go on sale in the UK later on. It eschews the engine of today’s model for a newer turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine kicking out up to 250bhp.
The new A1 was originally planned to be launched with a carried-over turbo 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with up to 95bhp in combination with a standard selective catalytic reduction filter as standard. However, Audi bosses are said to be reconsidering this in light of the significant drop in sales of diesel-engined small cars.
The A1 will receive a natural gas option, in combination with a specially adapted version of the turbo 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. It won’t be on sale in the UK.
In addition to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, buyers will also be able to choose an optional seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission with an automatic shift function.
Whereas the first-generation A1 had four-wheel drive on only the range-topping S1, the new model will offer a Haldex-style electro-hydraulic multi-plate-clutch quattro system with a wider range of engines.
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