Audi A1
What is it?
By far the biggest crowd of the day was reserved for the Audi A1, which was unveiled in a media storm centred round pop star, and brand ambassador, Justin Timberlake.
His presence however was not the surprise. That came from Audi's on-stage introduction of an A1 e-tron concept with an interesting new electric drivetrain that incorporates a Wankel engine as an onboard generator.
Otherwise the conventional A1 was as expected; a premium three-door hatchback based on the same platform as the VW Polo. Prices are expected to start from £13,000, and the car will be available to order from May. A five-door and S performance version are set to follow.
Three engines will be available in the UK from launch; the 1.2 TFSI and 1.4 TFSI petrol engines developing 85bhp and 120bhp respectively, and the 1.6 TDI producing 104bhp. All engines will feature start-stop and energy recuperation technology.
Audi claims both petrol units are capable of over 55mpg and emit 119g/km CO2. That figure is good enough to qualify for the same £35 road tax as the 1.6 TDI which emits 102g/km. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the current 1.6 TDI will be capable of returning 72mpg.
The entry-level 1.2 TFSI will also get a five-speed manual, but the flagship 1.4 TFSI comes with a six-speed manual as standard or the option of Audi's seven-speed S tronic transmission. With the twin-clutch gearbox the A1 makes it to 62mph in 9.1 seconds on the way to a 124mph top speed.
What's it like?
The car is reasonably handsome in the metal, but it doesn't seem quite as well proportioned as the Polo. The tapered high waistline and sloping rear doesn't give quite give the hatchback the sleek lines its designers were hoping for, but that corporate nose is likely to be enough to snare the A1's likely buyers.
If the exterior is an acquired taste, the interior hits all the Audi brand G spots with aplomb. The car feels absolutely bombproof inside, replete in the soft-touch plastics and a solidly handsome aesthetic. Audi has been touting its customizable qualities, but anyone with a working knowledge of the latest A4 will feel right at home.
Audi has already promised that the A1 will get a distinctive Vorsprung durch Technik feel on the road. The manufacturer has kept 60 per cent of the car's 1045kg kerbweight over the front axle, which should ensure goo balance, and the latest generation of ESP comes with an electronic axle differential that facilitates torque vectoring.The electric A1 is the next car in the e-tron concept range, and combines a 100bhp electric motor with a small single rotor Wankel engine which acts as a range extender by recharging the batteries. Audi apparently chose the 254cc rotary engine for its compact dimensions, low weight and quiet running.
The e-tron is capable of covering 30 miles on the strength of the batteries, while almost 125 miles is achievable with help from the combustion engine. Even with the Wankel switched on, Audi claims the A1 e-tron will only emit 45g/km CO2.
Production likelihood?
Standard A1 - 10/10 Expect to see it on your neighbour's driveway before summer.
A1 e-tron - 5/10 The A1 e-tron is strictly in the development stage at the moment, but as the R8 e-tron has shown, Audi is not shy about pushing hybrid technology onto the production line.
