The CarGurus Blog

Hating to fall prey to trends or mass marketing techniques, I’m somewhat ashamed to say I’ve got a thing for the current crop of mini wagon/hatchbacks. In my defense, I always loved the Honda Civic hatch (bring it back, please), so it’s not surprising that lately I find my wandering eyes settling lovingly on compact wagons such as the Mazda3 and the Pontiac Vibe. Even the Matrix is starting to grow on me, and don’t get me started about my one true love, the Mini Cooper (and future Mini Traveler). It’s not surprising, then, with the resurgence of these Volkswagen Rabbit-inspired cars that Audi, part of the Volkwagen group, is thinking about its own compact coupe wagon to compete with the likes of the BMW Mini.

The seeds of the newly confirmed Audi A1 wagon were first planted at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Show with the debut of the Audi TT Shooting Brake concept car, which was basically a TT front end attached to a wagon-like rear end. Audi recently decided to scrap the concept as a TT production model in favor of building a new entry-level model in its A-series. 

Early rumors of the Audi A1 point to a sporty-looking two-door coupe wagon, with a fastback-like sloping roofline, oversized tires, and small rear windows. The A1 will be slightly smaller than the current A3, making it larger than the Mini and more in line with the BMW 1 series in terms of exterior dimensions. It will likely come equipped with a choice of 4-cylinder engines - a naturally aspirated 130-hp and a Twincharger (combining a turbocharger and supercharger) that hits around 170-hp. In Europe, a diesel option will also be available. The A1 will be a front-wheel drive hatch with choice of 6-speed manual or Audi’s 6-speed S-Tronic sequential auto/manual shift. Though retaining much of the flashy look of the TT concept car, the A1 will be based on the Golf platform, rather than the TT, and is set to be Audi’s cheapest car. 

Not to fear, however. Audi isn’t likely to tarnish its high-end reputation for luxurious rides, even in something as utilitarian as a compact wagon, and the A1 will likely not skimp too much on available features and creature comforts, such as ABS brakes, power seats, leather upholstery, and automatic climate control. One expensive feature that might hit the chopping block is possibly the quattro all-wheel drive system, with the A1 being offered only in front-wheel drive. This has not been confirmed.

Though the Shooting Brake concept was a 2-door wagon, it is likely the Audi A1 will also offer a 4-door version and a sedan. A 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show debut is suspected, with a roadster version slated for 2010. For now, it looks like the proposed Audi A1 will be a European-only car, unfortunately, since the very similar A3 already occupies a popular position as a compact wagon in the U.S. and Audi doesn’t want to dilute its A-series brand over here. It’s a shame, really, because it’s one less piece of tempting eye candy for me. Maybe for my own financial well-being, that’s a good thing. 

More A1 news at topspeed.

Car Industry News, Foreign Cars