Aside from the grill, I like it

(Edit: Moved pic to my post below.)

If Audi brings it over here with the 2.0T and AWD then I might have to give it a look

 

the target isn't MINI, but the hot hatch segment which big in Europe and SoAm. Volvo C40, 1series, Renault Megane, Mazda 2, etc

 

Yeah but even out of all those you listed, the Audi is still the ugliest of the lot. That grill is simply awful. I just cannot fathom anyone looking at it and honestly liking it. The proportions are all wrong. It cant be good for aerodynamics. The thing is scooping up enough air to float the Queen Mary for crying out loud!

 

I don't see it as more masculine.....just more metro-sexual. (cough, gag, spit)

Oh, and I used to date a girl with a mouth like that. It was fun to watch her say the letter "O". Mmmmm.......

 

Can you say, UGLY! I mean, come on! Is that what they think looks good?

 

My Paint skills aren't the greatest, but splitting that grill up could help (Plus, I doubt it'll reach production the way it is now)





EDIT: Adding the original for comparison:

 

Still looks like an anime Pokemon car.

 

Wow you may have just saved the Audi company !

 

I think it came out of Pixar and will be in the sequel to Cars.

 

Features are cool, but the look...well, it can grow on you if you stare at it enough. But Audi did ok with the R8. I found an Audi dealer in Harajuku a few days ago, I had to go inside when I saw this through the window.






sorry for the many big pics, but this car is just to sexy.

 

Good gosh, that is even uglier.

The more I look at it, the uglier it gets.

Maybe they are in a contest with Chrysler to see who can make a car with the largets, most obnoxious grill?

 

There's no heritage and charisma as the Mini and it's u--y.

 

It's like for years Audi had a very non-distinct grill and then someone decided that they needed a signature grill...But then they confused "Grill" with "Cattle Catcher" and can't regain self-control...

 

That's true...I'm not sure BMW/MINI would have gotten it right either if it wasn't for the good ol' Mini. They had something of substance to work with, something that still holds an odd combination of charm and spunk that's apparently hard to capture. I'm not sure auto designers have a handle on that, so many of the current designs are conspicously (and obnoxiously) aggressive. Note: pretense is unattractive.

Personally, I've liked some of the more toned-down designs that have came out of the East a few years back...particularly the Mira Gino, the Copen, and Figaro. The new Fiat 500 is nice, too, but then we all know why.

If they could couple classic looks with some real-world, practical, usable performance (I'd put the Cooper and Cooper S both in that category, depending on your need-for-speed) they'd have somehting that could run up against the MINI.

Frankly...as has been said...even thought the article in question puts this car up against the MINI, I'm thinking it would maybe have more success against the other hot-hatches which to me are simply zzzzzzzzzzz.

 

It looks so angry!

I *do* like the interior though, FWIW. But I agree that I don't get why the grille is so freaking huge.

 

And the R8 looks like the results of a wreck between a Ferrari, Saleen, and a DeLorean. All Audi had to do is put a monstrous grill into the nose of it.

Someone needs to slap the poop outta the folks at the Audi desing center, then slap the management for letting that crap get to the streets. They should be ashamed of themselves.

How can anyone be proud of something so badly designed?

 

One of the other boards I suscribe to has better emicons.

A little yellow smiley..puking.

 

I like the aggressive front and that's about it! I still think I'd rather have a Volvo C30.

I'm quite content with my MINI for now though.

 

Maybe I don't like the "aggressive front" because I'm a woman. Of course, we all *know* women have better aesthetic sensibilities, don't we? (Kidding, not flaming anyone!)

I haven't liked the Audi (and VW) front ends for some time. In fact, I refused to look at VW when my previous car died and I was off to get something new. Of course, I've wanted a MINI for decades, since they were Minis, so there was never a chance of anything else.

 

Due to the increasing problem of deer on the highways, Audi has designed a car that can swallow a deer whole.

That's not really anger, it's indigestion.

 

I think what that grill needs is a set of upper and lower teeth, holding the four-ring emblem between them.

 

If I ever drove one, I would have to approach it from the rear. Front end styling is important to me. Its a big reason that I currently drive a Jaguar.

 

wow that's fug

 

Sorry, it may not be the best looking Audi but it at least has the potential to be better looking then many of the current crop of BMWs IMHO - at least no clashing hard lines and funky pointy glasses looking headlamps. As always though I'll reserve gelling an opinion until I can see and maybe drive it, Audi is quite good at interiors and, importantly, service nowadays as I understand. Its too bad though, most of the 'little' cars are not really small enough to be optimal for parking in the city like our R53.. I wonder how the Fiat compares in size; if they actually bring the Abarth over I'll have to take a drive

 

- As for big schnozes nothing beats the new Evo :O)