Comments on: MF Poll: Would you Consider the New Audi A1?

By: MatthewW

MatthewW — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:09:26 +0000

Just ran across this Fifth Gear piece on the A1. I’m done with Audi (had a very bad, very expensive experience with my allroad), but they are amazing cars to drive:

http://germancarscene.com/2010/08/22/fifth-gear-drives-the-audi-a1/

By: kevinn donovan

kevinn donovan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:12:24 +0000

Stupid car. Who would pay that kind of coin for a car that does zero to sixty in 10 to 12 seconds?

STUPID. Put the GTI's 2.0 motor in that thing and you have a real competitor.

This dumb car reminds me of the Volvo C30. A complete failure.

By: Evan

Evan — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:56:25 +0000

Some people will buy it for the Audi badge. Unfortunately, that also means poor reliability. After many friends' experiences with VW/Audi, I'd never buy one of their products.

The MINI has an independent suspension, unique style, and more powerful engines. And I wish everyone would stop bemoaning the economy of scale of BMW-PSA Prince engines- they have all of the BMW tech and are made by BMW at Hams Hall for the MINI. If it keeps prices down and the tech and quality is still there, then what's the issue?

If Audi does bring the A1 stateside, it'll need a bigger engine and the price will likely be very premium indeed. Just look at the VW Golf A3- it's as pricey as a 3er. Seriously?

By: ftttubrgcm

ftttubrgcm — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:22:12 +0000

Personally, I think it is neato but not enough to consider purchasing it. What brought me to MINI was my long desire for a very small and premium/semi-premium sporty vehicle. I’m sure the A1 fits the bill but it doesn’t seem to invoke passion, at least not in me. I’m also sure that there won’t be the cult following/community I enjoy so much with Mini/MINI. Lastly, bring it on. The more competition for MINI, the better MINI will get!

By: K

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:26:28 +0000

Yeah, I'll consider it. Considered it. No. Looks like an Audi. Oh, it is.

Unfortunately, I can see it swiping sales from MINI, especially here in Europe where for some reason boot space is still more important than individuality, personality, driving enjoyment, et al. If that really is the case, why not just buy a Citroen C3?

By: Cliff Biewenga

Cliff Biewenga — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:07:27 +0000

I have always admired Audi for the Quatro and VW for the TDI. If those two ever come together in the A-1 it will be a killer combination, but only if the diesel will put out more horse power. That being said, I have loved Mini/MINIs since I first saw them as a toddler. I can’t immagine not owning one.

By: DRIX

DRIX — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:15:52 +0000

Not gonna buy one, don't like how it looks.

Just wondering, why did MotoringFile advertise the entire press release for an Audi? Do Audi and MINI have a partnership we don't know of or something? ...

By: Joe Milnazik

Joe Milnazik — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:35:31 +0000

The interior looks alright, but the exterior is a little too bland. It’s too bad, because the concept from a few years ago while very similar just looked much nicer.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:14:02 +0000

What’s with the angry eyes? I’d like it better if it didn’t look like it wanted to eat other cars.

By: nickminir56

nickminir56 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:33:15 +0000

Audi is playing CHEAP with A1: torsion-beam rear axle.

By: SFRedMCc

SFRedMCc — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:01:19 +0000

Nice proportions; but it is kind of boring, just like most of the other Audi’s.

By: Drill

Drill — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:58:41 +0000

I agree with MatthewW above. I Loved driving my 2001 A3 but "owning" it was a PITA :-( I want to consider the new A1 but after having owned an Audi... wouldn't do it again (which, coincidentally, is how I got into a MINI).

By: Sherwin Smith

Sherwin Smith — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:39:41 +0000

It looks like a nice car and I’m sure the build quality is probably done really well, but as the kids say, “i’m not feelin’ it”.

By: MatthewW

MatthewW — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:32:40 +0000

@Blainestang, great reminder of what matters most to a lot of us.

I will say, however, while quite different Audis are also fun to drive. I just hated paying to keep mine on the road.

By: Blainestang

Blainestang — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:07:31 +0000

Regarding weight, I’m not convinced just yet that the A1 will be significantly lighter than a comparable MINI. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the published weight of the current MINI is somewhere North of 2500lb. However, MINI states that those numbers are including ALL options. A zero-option or lightly-optioned Cooper would probably be somewhere between 2400 and 2500 lb with no sunroof, base wheels, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I would be happy for the MINI to weigh less, but from the limited information we have on the A1 and a closer look at the MINI’s curb weight, I’m not convinced that an apples-to-apples comparison will show a weight difference quite as significant as a cursory comparison might indicate.

By: Blainestang

Blainestang — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:48:01 +0000

This changes nothing for me. If I were looking for something faster, I could have bought a GTi for the same money as my Cooper. If I wanted something that got better gas mileage, I could have bought an Insight for similar money, too. Sure, those specs are important, but the MINI is far more than a spec sheet. It is more fun to drive than one can easily deduce from a spec sheet and has intangible character (especially when custom ordered) that the other options can’t match. The 500 has a measure of that MINI character, but the A1 leaves me cold. If buying a car were a purely cereberal decision, a diesel A1 might win out over the Cooper, but as someone who is enthusiastic (emotional, even) about cars and the driving experience, I say “Wings before Rings.”

By: Pedro Moura (Portugal)

Pedro Moura (Portugal) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:32:18 +0000

Hi! I (luckly) own a R56 Cooper D (110 hp) and I would't ever consider this car!!!! I've allready tried the 1,6 tdi and I prefer the one from PSA in the Mini. The only points on this Audi is better are the quality of the materials on the interior and the DSG gearbox. In my opinion is faster and smother than the Steptronic.

Best regards for all the MINI fans and drivers in the U.S. and I hope that you have the chance to have the Diesel version there!

By: Benjamin Sidon

Benjamin Sidon — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:31:58 +0000

It’s just so….dull. It’s like they took the idea of a MINI Cooper and sucked all the fun out of it. There’s your weight savings right there.

By: Shawn Dillon

Shawn Dillon — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:23:41 +0000

…only if they brought an A1 diesel to the states.

I’ve owned a MINI before,and plan to purchase another;sadly,I’m really looking at other car options since MINI won’t bring a diesel version of their respective cars…

…I don’t know…maybe MINI/BMW likes,”leaving money on the table”,when it comes to American Car Buyers…

By: goat

goat — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:20:11 +0000

Even with the somewhat contrived silver roof arch, the overall look is a little bit boring... but I suspect many who see MINIs as "baby BMWs" will love the clean teutonic styling, especially in trademark audi silver with brushed aluminum wheels. On the other hand, the interior is typical of Audi -- very attractively styled and using a predominantly dark colour palette. Likewise, the details on the exterior (LED headlight signature, LED tailights) mean this little car can at least claim a "premium" label.

More interesting to me is the 2300lb weight (hundreds of lb lighter than an R50... actually same lb as a 1999 miata!). If a Haldex awd version with bigger turbocharged engine is offered (to compete with our beloved S and JCW cars) it should still weigh in at approx 2500lb, thus lighter than the MINI by a significant margin.

Also note that it doesn't need to drive like a MINI - and I don't think it will feel nearly as engaging at lower speed tight corners despite its curb weight advantage - but it does need to drive like an Audi... weighty steering, supremely composed suspension that is taut yet supple.

When it arrives it will undoubtedly sell well in Canada (audi sales have taken off over the past 5 years and we tend to buy small cars), but I am curious to see how it feels dynamically.

Gabe - speaking of coming MINI competitors, perhaps a future MOTORINGFILE poll should be: "Would you consider the Fiat 500 over a MINI?" (or did we do that already?)