Interesting read. I've seen a few different renderings, but really liked AutoWeek’s version. Plus the fact that it will be all-wheel-drive along with Audi's reputation - I'm intrigued.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../FREE/70808001

 

Hmm, VW GTI with Quattro... but the GTI has a 2L turbo 4, not the 1.4

 

i think the A3 is small and useless enough.... i dont see the point of
these cars. why not just get a GTI or R32 and mod the sh*t out of them?

 

I also noticed some of the recent A1 shots and thought this could be an interesting vehicle. I wonder if we'll really get it over here though given that the A3 has done alright, but definitely not as well as it's done everywhere else in the world.

Kenchan, I think asking why do these vehicles is like asking why own a just-a-cooper when there's an MCS out there. You and I may agree that the S is what we want, but not everyone wants a performance car.

I hope VW brings over the Polo and Audi the A1. Our cars have proven that small classy cars can make it in the USA, and VW at least needs a better placed entry-level car to slot in below the rabbit/golf.

 

I think the A1/S1 being VW Polo based would be sized simular-maybe slightly smaller than the Mini-it's hard to tell as we don't get those here. Audi also has a 3 door A3 they sell everywhere but here that is truly the Audi version of the GTI. Coincidentaly I saw a write on the new R32 in the current R&T. Pretty nice package, a little pricey maybe but good power /suspention package out of the box-should be a beast when a tuner gets finished with it. i was kind of surprised to see it weights about 1000lbs more than the MCS.

 

so you just stated that cooper is not a performance car? yikes.

going back to those A1/S1's...if you want a little more luxury over performance
why not just get the A3 or the A4, better yet, the S4 (?).
one might say, 'well, those aren't as sporty as smaller hatches.' which
brings me back to my point.

the reason why one would want these little hatches is more biased to
performance... not luxury. imho, a luxury car requires (yes requires)
a certain amount of volume to tackle the roads...especially having
larger circumference tires will smooth out bumpy roads vs a smaller
circumference tire. more interior space, etc. A3 is not luxury, A4
is borderline luxury.

anyway, it just looks like a poorman's audi. id get the GTI/R32.

 

Looks like a cross between a MINI and a Chrysler 300.

 

The old A2 was pretty close to the MINI's size. If I had to guess, I'd say the A2 was a touch bigger than the R53. The new Polo platform is supposed to be bigger than the A2 was... so I'd say the A/S1 will wind up almost as big the MKIV Golf or about the same size as I expect the new 1 series to be

 

Oh, and I REALLY hope that rendering above is WAY off. It looks too much like a Renault from that angle

 

Maybe if you don't want a VW?

 

Fair points Kenchan on the size/luxury issue. I guess I'm not sure what constitutes "performance". Am in a Cooper right now while my car is in the shop and it's fine, but not the same motoring experience by any means.

As I also own a MkV GTI, I'm not going to argue with you on the VW vs. Audi, but I think style is a big part of car buying as well and Audi does that better than most anyone (except MINI) IMHO (wife likes the GTI, I'd have rather had the A3).

VW/Audi group has had a hard time figuring out how to market their performance cars, such as they are.

 

Here's the PhotoShop starting point:


(Suzuki Swift Sport)

 

Well, my bias for wanting a little hatch is for its practicality living in/around a crowded city (easier parking yet good interior space), and from the looks of the vast numbers of Minis and other small cars around here stealing my Mini sized spaces a lot of people have a similar motive. The A3 is also popular in SF, larger and not good for those tiny parking spaces but very practial and sporty with nice options without being as big as many cars on the same level.


I think there are those that would like more options in this size car that are not cheap economy cars, and the fact that a brand like Audi has more service depts around then Mini and also seems to provide loaners (unlike the VW dealers I've heard about) is appealing. I don't think it would nec enter the realm of luxury by being Audi branded just as I do not consider a 1 series BMW to be a luxury car.

 

see now, this makes sense. if it's a pos econobox like a swift
with performance, then heck, i think it's fun to own. if you can make
a xD with 250hp, that's pretty cool, imho.

dont go the other way around.

pretty cool stuff.

 

I just like how AutoWeek compares to the Mini.
I say build it.

 

Those new Euro pedestrian safety rules are making for some ugly front ends on Euro cars........

 

is that to scare people away? they're doing a good job.