Audi’s is going… “small in According to Audi, the A1 can accelerate (when using both engines) from standstill to 100 km/h – 62 mph in 7,8 sec while it reaches a top speed of 124 mph – 200 km/h. The German carmaker supports that the with slightly judicious accelerator control, a combined economy figure of 48 mpg (57.6 UK mpg or 4.9-l t/ 100 km) is possible, coupled with modest C02 output of 112g/km. -Press release and pics after the jump
PRESS RELEASE - WORLD DEBUT OF AUDI METROPROJECT QUATTRO
Show-goers size up new Audi sub-compact hatchback design study in
Audi pays homage to Japan’s flair for miniaturisation this week with its new sub-compact metroproject quattro design study, which makes its debut on Press Day at the Tokyo Motor Show (October 24 – November 11, 2007). Condensing the premium quality, innovation and design progressiveness for which the Audi range is renowned into less than 4 metres of road space, the metroproject quattro could provide clues to the look and packaging of a future Audi sub-compact production car.
Power for the Vorsprung durch Technik study is provided by a modified version of the 1.4-litre Turbo FSI petrol engine recently adopted by the A3, combined with a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor mounted behind the rear seats which reduces fuel consumption and emissions by around 15 per cent. The petrol engine’s increased 150PS output, up from 125PS in the A3, is delivered at 5,500rpm, and its 40Nm higher torque output of 240Nm peaks from just 1,600rpm. The electric motor adds 41PS and an extra 200Nm of torque, and when engine and motor work in unison the metroproject quattro is able to accelerate from rest to 62mph in 7.8 seconds.
Delivered via the widely acclaimed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, the impressive performance can, in the right conditions, culminate in a top speed of 124mph. With slightly more judicious accelerator control, a combined economy figure of 57.6mpg is possible, coupled with modest C02 output of 112g/km.
The metroproject quattro is able to derive its power solely from its petrol engine, purely from its electric motor or through a combination of the two, their interplay controlled by the highly intelligent on-board management system.
Clean running using battery power
If the driver opts for electric operation alone - a particular advantage for urban driving and shorter distances – the metroproject quattro is able to cover up to 62 miles at speeds of up to 62mph, silently and completely cleanly, before its lithium-ion batteries need to be ‘refuelled’ by a power socket. Energy released during braking is transformed back into electrical energy rather than being released as heat and wasted, helping to conserve resources even more effectively.
While only the petrol engine is running, the metroproject quattro sends drive through its front wheels, and while powered by the electric motor on the back axle alone it is effectively rear-wheel-driven. When the two operate simultaneously, the compact Audi is able to offer all the advantages in composure and control that four-wheel-drive brings.
More enthusiastic driving, which would call the two power sources into play simultaneously, is enhanced by a sophisticated McPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension configuration, electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering with a low energy draw and Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping technology which has won plenty of praise already in the TT and R8 sports cars.
The Audi drive select system introduced recently in the all new A4 Saloon, which enables the driver to fine-tune suspension, steering and transmission characteristics to suit his or her preferences, also helps to bring out the very best in the driving experience.
The metroproject quattro’s transverse ‘east-west’ engine installation, short overhangs and similarity in height to the larger A3 hatchback mean that its interior belies its compact exterior dimensions. Its four individual seats offer impressive leg and head room, and the discreetly illuminated electric motor incorporated within the floor of the load compartment, and visible when the tailgate is opened, still permits the provision of 240 litres of luggage space.
Remote control for virtually every in-car feature
The highlight of the typically meticulously finished cabin is the new, removable hand-held Audi mobile device, which not only offers mobile telephony, GPS navigation and audio and video playback, but also serves as the control unit for numerous vehicle systems which can be set and adjusted from outside the car. The driver can, for example, enter destinations into the satellite navigation unit, program the audio system or switch on the heating from the comfort of an armchair at home before setting off.
Using the same operating principle as the Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment control system that is highly regarded in today’s production Audi models, the Audi mobile device not only brings optimum user friendliness, but also maximum space efficiency by integrating several communications devices that were previously only available separately into a single unit. The handheld, touch screen system, which is able to recognise both Latin and Japanese characters and even decipher handwriting, communicates with the car by way of a WLAN connection.
Official images of the highly anticipated hybrid Audi A1 Metroproject concept leaked into the net today revealing the pre-production version of the A1. I know this will sound harsh but, I’m hugely disappointed with the concept’s exterior design. The A1 looks like a Skoda Fabia with Audi A3 cues for God’s sake. Plus, as a concept, the A1 is much more aggressively designed than the production version. If this is aggressive, I don’t even want to imagine what the 2009 A1 will be.
Inside, things are better, much better to be exact. Though the cabin will be toned down in the production version, the A1 Concept proves once again that Audi is the king when it comes to interior design.
Since there’s no official release, we’ll have to do with whatever details about the mechanics have been leaked so far. Power is said to come by a 150 Hp 1.4-liter TSI turbocharged engine combined with a 41 Hp electric motor positioned on the rear axle. The latter “absorb” energy from a set of lithium-ion batteries. Until we get our hands on the official press release, enjoy our high res image gallery after the jump. -Continued
Via: Motorpasion
While you and I would probably take the car pictured here for a VW Polo GTi Cup 180Hp -click here, that’s not the case with the guys at CarOnline. They vow on the queen’s crown that we’re looking at a test mule for the upcoming Audi A1 which might be previewed as a concept in Tokyo next month. Being the suspicious a-holes that we are, we won't vouch on it. True, it could be that Audi is testing the A3's AWD quattro system on VW's B-Segment platform or even the platform itself on a Polo body as CarOnline suggests.Via: CarOnline
The online version of Brit magazine Car supports that it has obtained official design sketches of Audi's forthcoming mini, the A1. We have no way of affirming the Brits, so for the time being, we’ll just have to take Car’s word on it. Judging from these sketches, the Audi A1’s design is a tad less aggressive than we were expecting, but not to the point that we don’t like it. Audi has already confirmed that the A1 will go into production at the VW Group’s
Via: Car
Unlike the current all-aluminium A2, the new A1 / A2 will have a steel body and it’ll share many components with the VW Group’s B segment cars (VW Polo, Seat Ibiza & Skoda Fabia). Expect 1.4 TSI and 1.8 TSFI petrol engines as well as a full range of TDI diesel motors. Via: Autoblog.nl & Infomotori
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