Audi A1 News

Audi’s A1 and R18 couldn’t be more different, though for this week’s 2013 Wörthersee Tour the brand with the four rings revealed an A1 hatch that was inspired by the highly successful R18 race car.The R18 is the most extreme vehicle produced by Audi, and in its latest e-tron quattro trim has proven unbeatable on the race track.The A1, meanwhile, is one of Audi’s least potent models and, as far as we’re aware, doesn’t compete in any forms of motorsport. That hasn’t stopped Audi from linking the two.The R18-inspired A1 at the Wörthersee Tour features an accessories kit that Audi plans to offer for its stylish subcompact. The kit is called the “Competition Kit R18” and it comes in gray and red colour schemes.It features some simple upgrades such as a split rear wing spoiler, a lip spoiler in the front, custom wheels, and a special centre console in the cabin. The “378”  decal featured on parts of the car represents the number of laps of the La Sarthe race track completed by the racing-winning R18 at last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.www.motorauthority.com 

The new Audi five-door A1 Sportback range starts with an entry level model at just $26,500, before on-road costs. This smallest of Audi sportback models is powered by a 1.2-litre TFSI engine, similar to that found in the Volkswagen Polo, with slightly different mapping. In the Audi the engine puts out 63 kW of power and 160 Nm of torque while in the small VW it is 77 kW and 175 Nm of torque. This bargain-basement Audi can cover the 0-100 km/h sprint in 11.1 seconds and has combined fuel consumption of 5.1 litres/100km. For Audi the A1 in both three-door and five-door variants is an important model, bringing new customers to the brand with affordable pricing. "The A1 has introduced an entirely new group of customers to the Audi brand and we are currently in the lead in the segment after 18 months of sales," said Audi Australia managing director, Uwe Hagen. "The progressive new Sportback variant is expected to find favour with Australian buyers thanks to the versatility of easy access to the rear seats as an additional feature of a great compact premium vehicle," he said. The 1.2-litre A1 comes with a sporty manual shifter and is expected to appeal to young, urban-dwelling professionals, young families and as a second family car. All variants offer fuel consumption under 6.0 litres/100 km. The Sportback has the same length and width as the three-door, but headroom has been extended by 11 mm. Instead of the typical long coupe doors the four passenger doors fit within the same cabin length. Other A1 variants in the Sportback range include a 1.6 litre TDI (diesel) engine with 66 kW and fuel consumption of a miserly 3.8 litres/100 km and a 1.4 litre TFSI petrol engine with 90 kW and 200 Nm of torque with combined fuel consumption of 5.4 litres/100 km. The 1.4 TFSI `Sport' engine completes the A1 Sportback range with 136 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque that sees the variant spring to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 7.0 seconds. Audi has priced the five door model to sell by offering all models at the same basic price point as the three door variants. "The Audi A1 range represents important volume potential for Audi in Australia," said Mr Hagen. With the rear seats folded the A1 Sportback has cargo space of 920 litres while, with all seats in the usual position, cargo space is 270 litres. The rear pew, that seats three, has a 60/40 split for versatility. Safety is covered by stability control with a cross axle locking system, six full-size airbags and the comfort of knowing it has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Stop-Start technology is available on most models. Audi’s A1 comes with two trim levels, Attraction and Ambition. All models have a 6.5-inch folding screen, Bluetooth interface with music streaming capabilities, cruise control, eight speakers, driver information system, light and rain sensors and multi-function sports leather steering wheel. This latest addition to the Audi A1 range looks set to sell its stylish socks of due not only to its very attractive price but also to the way it can be tailored to your tastes in many different ways. Just beware of sudden price increases when you do hit the personalisation buttons. PRICE GUIDE A1 Sportback 1.2 TFSI Attraction: from $26,500 (manual) A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Attraction: from $29,900 (manual), $32,250 (S tronic) A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Ambition: from $33,450 (manual), $35,800 (S tronic) A1 Sportback 1.6 TDI Attraction: from $29,900 (manual), $32,250 (S tronic) A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport: from $42,500 (S tronic)  

Reports overnight from Germany said the sedan -- with the current working title of Pajun (for Panamera Junior) -- would be on the market by 2017.Germany's AutoBild magazine said the new project is being lined up to face off against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS luxury sedans, and is likely to be armed with a strategic price of between 65,000 to 100,000 euros.That translates into about $85,000 to $150,000 Australian, and the E-Class starts here at $79,900 for the new E200, but you can expect the Porsche to sit higher against the sportier versions of the E-Class.Porsche currently has four models:  the Boxster/Cayman two-seaters, 911 sports car, Cayenne SUV and the Panamera sedan, with a fifth model -- the compact Macan SUV in the works.However Porsche boss Matthias Mueller has previously said the German carmaker may look at expanding the line-up further -- even up to seven models -- as it moves towards its 'Strategy 2018' goal of doubling global sales to 200,000 over the next six years.Reuters news agency put that question to Porsche spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode, who confirmed there were ideas about a sixth model, but no firm decisions had been made.A smaller Porsche was always looking more likely as they kept a close eye on the small-car scene, particularly as it boomed in Europe. Previously, Porsche had been rumoured to be involved in a three-way tie-up with Volkswagen and Audi that would result in a sub-Boxster runabout for the brand and similar-sized sports convertibles for its German partners.At the time, Porsche's Eckhard Eybl said the brand was particularly interested in the success of the Audi A, and would not dismiss the idea of a smaller Porsche.  "I think it would be a very good idea," Ebyl said."But this will not be the next step - maybe three or four steps away. I think it's possible to do a very, very good design if you have the heritage of a very clear brand design. And if you are then free to realise the vision." 

Audi has had success with SUVs ...the Q7, Q5 and most recently Q3. The Q6 has previously been said to be in the works – and now there are also hints of a Q2 on the way.  A report in the UK magazine Auto Express says the Q2 ultra-compact will be a four-seater three-door, offered with both front-drive and quattro all-wheel drive.  The report suggests the Q2 could be launched in 2014, slotting in just before the latest A1 and A3 get a mid-life facelift.  It is likely to carry the A1’s 136kW 1.4-litre TFSI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, and a 1.6-litre diesel intended to appeal to European buyers - although with the right auto transmission it would win a few hearts here too.  However the report says the Q2 will not be bases on the A1’s platform but on the new versatile Volkswagen Group MQB small car platform, which underpins the new A3 and the next VW Golf models. With the booming global popularity of small packages, where to after this? Next bets are on a Q1 micro-SUV at some stage in the future? Stay tuned.  

The silent yet explosive AMG high-performance electric supercar is parked just around the corner. AMG boss Ola Kallenius has confirmed the all-electric Mercedes-Benz SLS "e-cell'' gullwing starts production later this year and goes on sale in 2013. There is interest from Australian enthusiasts who are among more than 100 people who have expressed interest in owning the coupe, despite no price being announced. Mr Kallenius won't even hint at a price - but figure on a few cents short of $800,000 - is listed as having a 392kW/880Nm powerplant but he indicates the production model would have more. "We actually don't know how well it will sell,'' he says at an interview in Geneva. "We're going into this with an open mind.'' Mr Kallenius says the biggest challenges for the electric sports car are the same as any electric car - weight and range. "We want a range of 200km plus,'' he says. "We know that the batteries add more than 500kg to the weight of the petrol SLS but are equally aware that the e-cell has a lot more torque - so performance won't suffer - and that the batteries are located low and central in the chassis, so it can actually benefit handling.'' Mr Kallenius also admitted that the e-cell had ben run hard (and quietly) at the Nurburgring track. "I won't say how fast it was. It's quick - maybe I can say that it is very quick but not quite as quick as the petrol version.'' He says that people who buy the e-cell "want the ultimate technical machine''. "We'll launch the car later this year. We don't yet have enough information to give to potential buyers so we will wait until that's ready closer to the launch. We will also know by then if we will make a right-hand drive version. We're discussing that now. It is technically possible to make it in right-hand drive, but it takes a lot of work and is expensive.''  

But it is unlikely to make it to Australia in the A1 Sportback. The five-door hatch was launched in Europe last week with a 103kW/250Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine that shuts down two cylinders when the engine is under low load or coasting. Audi says the "cylinder on demand" deactivation reduces fuel use by 0.4 litre/100km, while the idle stop/start system trims another 0.2 litre/100km for a combined fuel consumption of 4.7 litres/100km. Australian spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the frugal engine isn't on the local radar and won't be unless buyers demand it. "At this stage we don't plan to bring that car," she says. "Technology of that kind comes with a premium ... there's a fine line between a premium subcompact car and a car that's just too expensive." It's a different story with the base 1.2-litre turbo engine, which would give Audi an entry model priced under $30,000. "We're interested in it and are looking at the business case for it but it only comes with a manual gearbox," she notes. "Most (75 per cent) A1 sales have been with the S-tronic automatic transmission so that something we have to consider." The A1 Sportback is expected to go on sale in late June with an estimated price for the entry level car of just over $30,000. CYLINDER ON DEMAND Audi showcased its cylinder deactivation system last year on the 4.0-litre V8 destined for the top-range S models. The tech has now flowed down to the A1 Sportback and is expected to be introduced across the Audi model range, though the company won't comment on timing. Two cylinders are disabled on the A1 when the engine is running from 1400-400rpm under light loads. It operates via camshaftt sleeves known as cam elements that have two profiles - a regular mode and one that rotates over the inlet and exhaust valves without activating them. As the accelerator is depressed and engine load increases electromagnets slide the sleeves to enable all four cylinders. The system is designed not to work under braking or when the car is coasting downhill to maximise engine braking. On the road there is a barely perceptible change in the engine note when the system cuts two cylinders and only a miniscule jolt as it returns to normal running that can't be noticed unless the driver is actively trying to find it. There's no vibration when it is running on two-cylinders, which Audi attributes to the dual-mass flywheel and changes in the engine bearings.

 ... 1.91 litres/100km premium subcompacts to life on the streets of Munich as part of an extensive pilot trial and data capture exercise. The fleet trial project has been initiated by Audi, the power company E.ON, the public utility Stadtwerke Muinchen and Technische Universitat Munchen. It will help these organisations to consolidate their thinking on the integration of electric power into day-to-day motoring, and to identify how the existing transport and communications infrastructure might need to adapt to support this. The Audi A1 e-tron is a range-extender electric car with an output of 75kW and a top speed of 140kmh. If the battery runs low on charge, a compact combustion engine the range extender recharges it as needed to boost the vehicle's operating range to as much as 250km. This compact electric car is a zero-emissions vehicle for the first 31 miles of a trip in city traffic, for instance. The battery comprises a package of lithium-ion modules mounted in the floor assembly in front of the rear axle. In short, the four-seat A1 e-tron was designed for daily driving in metropolitan areas.

The attention being given to the little two-door, four-seater Audi at Michelin Challenge Bibendum forecasts there'll be a queue when it arrives. And there would have been a queue to drive it, but the baby on display in its Sunday best was strictly hands-off. So it was left to its big brother, the A3 Sportback e-tron, to demonstrate on the test track some of what we can expect from the A1. The A3 at Challenge Bibendum is a research model, and an Audi engineer at the event said it is not being considered for production at the moment as the model is nearing renewal, but the A1 e-tron would be on the market overseas late next year. The system in the A3 relies on an electric motor with a continuous power output of 60kW, with peak outputs of 100kW and 270Nm of torque, which drives the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. There are three driving modes - Dynamic, Auto and Efficiency - that change responses to throttle input and also raise or suppress the amount of power used. There are also four settings that adjust how much energy is recovered during braking and in the 'sailing' mode where the system decouples and the car essentially coasts until more power is needed. The lithium-ion battery rank can be recharged from dead-flat in nine hours from a household supply, and in four hours 400-volt three-phase current. Audi says a single charge will give you 140km in the A3, but the lighter A1 e-tron will have a 45kW motor that can peak at 75kW, working with a range extender in the form of a single-rotor Wankel engine and 15kW electric generator to give a 200km drive. On the track, the A3 e-tron's overall driving feel is close to a normal compact car, with all strong torque on offer and quite responsive handling. The dynamics are helped by positioning the battery rank through the centre tunnel and under the rear seat and luggage floor to improve balance and give a low centre of gravity. The change into sailing mode is unnoticeable, and can extend for quite a distance unless extra load is demanded. It remains to be seen how well the system would do in a long highway run, but the performance of the A3 e-tron suggests the A1 will be a star in the city car stakes. More stylish - and with more brand integrity - than the rebadged Toyota iQ that Aston Martin will sell as the Cygnet, the A1 e-tron is likely to be the next CBD status symbol. This is the car the early adopters will want to be in, and the uber-chic will want to be seen in.

Sltting into the smallest parking pace in the German prestige automaker’s lineup, until now the BMW-owned MINI has had free reign in this segment – but that’s all about to change.The baby of the Audi fleet will be on offer with a wide range of ‘personalisation’ possibilities – things like themed colours, interior lighting schemes, interior trims - designed to make your A1 different from your neighbour’s.It also represents a push by the brand with the four rings into a completely new group of buyers – but it’s also obviously the perfect choice of second car for families who already enjoy the A4, A5, A6 or A8 as their primary mode of transportation.You can even expect Audi to have a bit of fun with this car – it can certainly afford to do so without tarnishing the brand’s image further upmarket in the range, where customers expect – and receive – cool conservatism.  If you’ve the money in your account and an A1-sized parking space in your garage, you can expect to buy an A1 in coming months.Power will be provided by one of four efficient four-cylinder engines – two 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engines with 66 and 77kW respectively, and two advanced TFSI petrol fours – a 1.2-litre with 63kW and a 1.4-litre with 90kW.Efficiency is guaranteed too.  All models will feature regenerative braking, which recaptures kinetic energy and stores it electrically, together with stop/start technology for the manual-transmission variants, which ensures no fuel is burnt when you’re stationary in traffic.Complementing the standard six-speed manual transmission will be an optional seven-speed S Tronic double-clutch automatic transmission. And the fuel economy? Ultra-frugal – expect to go a long, long way between drinks, despite a diminutive fuel tank, with official figures kicking off at 3.8 litres per 100km.

The spread of the dealer network aims to keep up with demand caused by a booming population and Australia's strong economy.  Within two years, BMW will see $40 million spent on new or refurbished outlets as it shoots for 50 national dealerships.These include a second dealership in Perth ($15 million), expanded Doncaster (Victoria) premises ($10 million), a North Shore Sydney franchise ($8 million) and a new dealer at Tweed Heads.  The Perth dealership, to be built this year by the existing franchisee, is in the city's expanding northern suburbs.BMW Australia managing director Stavros Yallouridis says the expansion reflects the mechandising concept that takes the product closer to the buyer.  "We are, to a degree, a product for the impulsive buyer," he says."We have to go to the buyer and that redefines the distribution of our products. In many cases, as we expand our products with smaller cars, we have to be in city areas that demand small cars in order to sell to our target market."Yallouridis says the car market was aiming for record highs and, in BMW's case, highlighted by the 1-Series, X1, 5-Series and 7-Series."The X3 comes in next year and there's the 1-Series hatch and coupe, so sales will expand further," he says.The Audi Centre in Perth is more than doubling its floor area, taking over a neighbouring property in the high-end car retail suburb of Osborne Park. The suburb also hosts Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz.The additional building will accommodate the new 26-car showroom - effectively 2.5 times bigger than present - to display one of each of Audi's models.  Dealer principal David Collins says the investment of about $15 million was necessary."The customers demand it and we desperately need the space because of the growth in Audi sales," he says.  "In 2004 we had 120 new car sales. Now we have 1050."Audi's sales are higher than BMW's when you take out the SUVs.  "I've ordered 250 units of the A1 for 2011 because of demand."  Collins says the Q5 was "the most successful car I've ever been involved with".He says it reflects the growing trend of buyers seeking to downsize their cars yet retain quality and luxury.  BMW has recorded a 10.4 per cent national sales growth year-to-date and, with global sales this calendar year of 775,000, has surpassed Mercedes-Benz (735,000) and Audi (726,000).It has since January sold 1156 of its baby X1 SUV - now its third most popular single-body seller after the 3-Series (3326) and X5 (1955) - for 2 per cent of Australia's passenger-car market.Audi has 1.7 per cent of the car market, primed by sales year-to-date of 1458 A3s and 2521 A4s, and Mercedes-Benz has 2.6 per cent thanks primarily to its E-Class stranglehold of the $70,000-plus large luxury car sector and the robust 4242 C-Class sales.