Audi has revealed more information about its new A1 baby hot hatch.
It will intially only be available as a three-door, with the range expected to start at around R220 000. An Audi spokesperson said the best selling Mini in the range is the Cooper and this is where the A1 will be aiming both barrels, hence the R220k estimated price point. Audi has no desire to go any further downmarket with the car, so it’s not planning any Mini ‘One’ type models with the A1. Its premium position in the supermini market will be preserved.
The brand expects many buyers to go for the premium options, so a fully-equipped example of a top A1 version could end up costing well over R300 000, once it’s left the showroom. Much of the mechanicals will be shared with the new VW Polo (recently crowned European Car of the Year), although the badging on the A1 will not reveal the size of the engine fitted. Audi want to get away from using engine size as a model designator as engines will be getting smaller in the future and buyers don’t like showing to the world they are downsizing.
Sales will begin at the end of 2010 but the real sales push will be in 2011. Audi realises the maintenance package BMW has been offering on its cars is highly attractive to buyers and so want to introduce a similar scheme themselves on the A1.
