Your Take: the Audi A1 Concept

Sections: MINI Competitors Oct 19th, 2007 80 Comments

Due to popular demand, we’re giving you a post to sound-off on Audi’s supposed “MINI-Killer” – the Audi A1. Worldcarfans has leaked the images of the concept due next week at the Tokyo Auto show. But word is the production version will be very close to what you see here and at the link below. It’s got optional Quattro, a slick interior and a grille big enough to swallow pedestrians whole. Is it a threat to MINI sales or just another entry into a diversified and growing small car market? Let’s hear your opinions.

[ First Photos: Audi A1 Concept ] Worldcarfans.com

Written By: MF Staff

Radley

I like it, but I don’t see it as a MINI killer. I really dont like the whole silver A-C pillar. I love the front end and the back end its very sporty looking. To bad that if they do make an S1 they wont offer it in the States.
http://Motoringfile Paul Shears

Very diappointing indeed. Audi have not learnt that the reason for the failure of the A2 was simply that a really good idea was wrecked for numourous reasond by a committee. Well here we go again! Look Audi, take a look at the VW polo 2002 model as your starting point & just take it up market. Where’s the very necesssary vertical back end? Audi had an opportunity here to make a poor man’s porshe with an every day utilitarian element. They failed totally and the proposed reality is amongst the worst of the speculations that I have seen. This car, like the Audi A2, is aimed directly at myself i.e. somone willing to pay a top price for a top quality small car. Just like the A2 I will not be buying one.
http://Motoringfile Paul Shears

Very disappointing indeed. Audi have not learnt that the reason for the failure of the A2 was simply that a really good idea was wrecked for numerous reasond by a committee. Well here we go again! Look Audi, take a look at the VW polo 2002 model as your starting point & just take it up market. WhereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s the very necesssary vertical back end? Audi had an opportunity here to make a poor manÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s porsche with an every day utilitarian element. They failed totally and the proposed reality is amongst the worst of the speculations that I have seen. This car, like the Audi A2, is aimed directly at myself i.e. somone willing to pay a top price for a top quality small car. Just like the A2 I will not be buying one.
steve

I thinks its awesome especially with the AWD option. I don’t see it as a competitor for the Mini, more so the BMW 1 series (it’s definitely a step above the Mini performance wise).
Aurel

Besides the grille … i am sold on this car visually inside and out
lavardera

Man – what did we unleash here?

Um – hey everybody – free beer over in the 08 pricing comments…!
tsukiji

I’m intrigued, but I’d like to toss it around a bit before I render an opinion.
MINIme

While it is certainly flattering for other auto makers to make MINI a target, there is little comparison. A Volvo is a Volvo, an Audi an Audi. Many cars can be made to go faster, handle better (questionable) and draw more attention than the MINI, but it is the entire package that MINI has created that appeals to automotive enthusiasts, and specifically, our community. When I think of Audi, I think of (AWD)Quattro. In my opinion, that’s all they have going for them. Otherwise, they are overpriced and unreliable. Nice try Audi. Variety is the spice of life. I am sure there is an audience for this car.
greg

ZZZZZZZ. This, the Volvo, the Smart, GTI, and all the other Johnny come lately imitators don’t impress me. The is only one Mini with it’s pedigree and unigue performance and styling that have created this community. Can you imagine a Peugot weekend at the Dragon? Never happen. That was the big let down with Porsche, no sense of comradere or fun.

Flavor of the month. Next?
Ije

Fit and Finish will be top notch. For new buyers, the potential is there.

However, the MINI is not just about the car itself anymore for MINI owners. The MINI is a way of life.

The only car that can take the place of a MINI, is another MINI.

SO a MINI KILLER for me? NEVER!
Ozbone

The first few images, featuring the front and the roofline, show some character. BUT the side and rear views are just awful. The interior is boring. Audi’s drivetrains “might” save this concept but I personally would stay away.
Hoover

Interesting–but I would pass. Good to see the MINI effect on other car makers.

I know some Audi faithful, and they might go for it–even if the thing will shake itself apart in short order. Should do well in other markets.
Hoover

PS: where does your front number plate go?

Good point. This design won’t fly in those states that require the front plate (e.g., CA). I would guess that we are not seeing the final version of this front end.
RB

Lotta fun inventive comments, especially you VANWALL. Down with bad cold, you made my morning. Some strange links though. Back to bed….. oh yeah…. FUGLY!
Brian

Looks good.
http://www.rivercityminis.org ahamos

My first thought was that the bottom half looks like a vicious bull that’s about to eat your face. I like that. But the top half is way too tall, and I just can’t get excited about that aluminum arch.

Quattro & DSG will make this car a beast if (and only if) Audi can keep the weight down.
TT

I kinda like the way it looks. I would love to see one in person. Either way I won’t be in line to trade my MINI for one when they come out : )
O(=^=)OCapn

What happened to everyone? this was posted on the 19th and nothing new has been posted since the 21st?
michael

Well, BMW’s 1 Series with the 300hp twin turbo is a no-brainer when comparing it to say a well fitted JCW Mini. My 2005 JCW cost just over 30K with very few additional options. Another 3-4K for a 300hp rear wheel driver is an easy choice. The point here is that the JCW power output should be part of the base model line-up given the hp figures found in other competitors. Mini is very expensive to buy and own and is a marginal value. Great moves for sure, but many others also posses great moves for less.
http://www.mininyc.com James

Uggo!
http://www.nemini.org PaulGraz

The Audi fans will love it, as I’m sure they’ve been wanting a smaller car. But MINI-killer? Um, no.

However, since they went with a grill that’s interchangable with a Peterbuilt truck, that should save them some development costs…

And that silver roofline band is stolen right off the Saturn Ion, which begs the question: What were they thinking?

And what is that silly window thing in the boot floor?

But I feel I should say SOMETHING positive: Good choice of tires!
DCMotorer

With this type of question I should have guessed that, for the most part, it would be a bunch of fanboys flaming the Audi and going on about how nothing is or ever will be anywhere near as good as a MINI.

First, the car pictured above is a CONCEPT, which means it will most likely be different than the production model. The question posed was not whether you like the design, but rather whether it is a “threat to MINI sales or just another entry into a diversified and growing small car market?” Considering that the premium small car market is growing, it makes sense to assume that there will be increasing demand for other options in the segment. Some buyers will prefer MINI, while others will prefer the offerings from Volvo, Audi, VW, etc. If the segment continues to expand, I don’t think the Audi A1 will be a major threat to MINI sales, but it will be a competitor. It will take away some sales from MINI but Audi will also bring its own customers who previously may not have considered a premium small car because they didn’t like the previous small car offerings.

I welcome new MINI competitors because it will give consumers more choices. It will also force MINI to stay on its game and continue to build great cars in order to remain a leader in the segment. We should embrace more competition because it ultimately benefits us as car buyers.
Ian F

Maybe it’s just me, but it looks like the proportions are a bit “off”. The wheels & wheel wells look too small. Sort of the same problem Pontiac’s GTO had.

There’s too much sheet metal between the top of the rear wheel arch and the belt line – it makes you think ‘econo-box’ in a subliminal way… Like the GTO, the casual observer won’t like the car and will have trouble figuring out why.
Ian F

…the MINI would have the same problem if it weren’t for the plastic trim pieces. And even when they’ve been painted the body color, they still visually break up the lines enough to make the car look more agressive.

This is really the first time I’ve thought about it, but the arches are a piece of styling genius and really help make the car, visually.
Dan

If they fixed that fugly front grill, they might have something!

That said, I couldn’t see paying more than $30K for that car, no matter how many options it came with. That’s a a bit low for something on Audi’s lot!
Pete

Where would the front plate go? I have an answer. Just place it somewhere on the grill, like a hamburger..
greylight

Hey! Is that an R56 speedo on the front of that thing? :)

(Note: I drive an R56 and actually don’t mind the speedo.)

gl
lavardera

more sword rattling from the Audi people:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/FREE/71107001/1530/FREE

“Audi CEO Rupert Stadler says he is considering the upcoming A1 for the U.S. market despite the cool reception to the compact A3 sport wagon in the market.”
didi

This car does not come close to the mini cooper. not even the volvo mini does. audi 3 look much better than this car. the front is also very weird. This is if you have a lot of money to waste, my mini ‘s still a beauty.
didi

I meant A3, cool car

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