Audi A1 quattro prototype

The Audi A1 quattro snow testing in Canada

Audi is developing a quattro system for the Audi A1. Expect an Audi A1 quattro later this year and a quattro Audi S1 in 2012.

It did seem a strange omission by Audi not to have a quattro drivetrain for the ‘Only Premium Brand in its Sector’ Audi A1. And it was that lack of a quattro system for the A1 which apparently stopped the car that ended up being the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI from being launched as the Audi S1 at Paris last year.

All of which has no doubt spurred Audi on to see development of a quattro platform for the A1. That and the embarrassment of having to backtrack on plans for a FWD S1. Which probably explains why we get treated to info and pics of the ‘Work in progress’ that is the development of the Audi A1 quattro.

We’ve had a small press release and the photo you see at the top from Audi. They tell us that the “…Audi A1 quattro prototype brings all-wheel-drive to the premium subcompact hatchback segment for the first time.” Perhaps the MINI Countryman doesn’t count as a sub-compact hatch? (actually, we’re not all that sure what to consider the Countryman).

The quattro system in the A1 is similar to that in the A3 and TT. It sends power to the front wheels under normal conditions, but when it senses slip at the front a multi-plate clutch can shove drive to the back axle to give four wheel drive.

It seems likely that the Audi A1 Quattro will get the same engine as the 1.4 TFSI and come in S-Line trim. We do expect a proper Audi S1 to make the cut at some point with more like 210bhp. And when will all this happen? Our bet is quite soon. A1 sales are not as good as Auid expected, and a new halo model or two may help.

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Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S-Line Price & Spec

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S-Line - from £20,705

Audi reveals the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S-Line for the UK. Available only in S-Line trim the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI will cost from £20,705

Audi’s most powerful version of the ‘Only Premium Car in its Sector‘ is the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI, which we saw revealed at Paris back in September. And now its ready to roll the roads of the UK.

This hot A1 is the car that Audi had decided was to be the Audi S1. Only they lost their bottle at the last minute and decided that they really couldn’t let the side down by having an ‘S’ model without quattro drive. So this car got renamed the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI, and is basically the VW Polo GTI in Audi clothes. And none the worse for that.

The 1.4 litre four-pot comes complete with turbo and supercharger and delivers 182bhp shoved through an S tronic seven-speed twin-clutch ’box to the front wheels, with 62mph coming up in just 6.9 seconds. Not quite hot, but on the warm side of warm. And as long as you don’t actually use the performance the A1 will manage 47.9mpg and 139g/km of C02.

The A1 1.4 TFSI comes in S-Line trim, which means sports suspension, sporty bodykit with tweaked bumpers, side skirts and rear diffuser. There’s also a set of 17″ alloys and the sports seats are part leather. The usual S-Line stuff.

Away from the sporty stuff the A1 1.4 TFSI gets a decent level of equipment including AirCon, Bluetooth, iPod connection and a driver’s info centre.

All of which is very pleasant, but it comes at a price – the A1 1.4 TFSI starts at £20,705. Which is an awful lot of money for a supermini. Even one as quick and well-equipped as the A1 1.4 TFSI. It’s also £2k more than the equivalent – and just as swift – VW Polo GTI.

Still, it is the top of the range Audi A1, at least until the real Audi S1 comes along. And there was always going to be a price to pay to own the ‘Only Premium Car in its Sector.’

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Audi planning X6 rival. Audi Q6? Audi Q7 Coupe? Audi Q8?

Audi X6 Rival. Audi Q6? Audi Q7 Coupe? Even Audi Q8?

Audi’s Chief Designer Wolfgang Egger believes Audi should be building a rival to the BMW X6. Which could be the Audi Q6. Or Audi Q7 Coupe. Or even Audi Q8.

We like to take the mickey out of Audi with what seems like their quest for total domination of the premium car market, with a car to fill every niche, and every niche within a niche.

And then the niches that no one other than Audi had considered existed. Although we happily admit – with the possible exception of the A2 – there’s not been a bad car from Audi in a decade.

And we thought they must, by now, have thought of a car to fill every possible niche, from the MINI-rivalling A1 to the supercar-challenging R8 V10. But it seems Audi are missing a trick.

Audi don’t have a car to rival the BMW X6. Which may not seem an obvious hole to fill, but it’s a hole nonetheless. And a hole that Wolfgang Egger – Audi’s Chief Designer – thinks needs addressing. Particularly in China.

In China – according to Herr Egger – the BMW X6 has carved out a niche as a woman’s car. A second car for the family. Something for ‘er indoors to pose in. A point of view – even if it is a fact – that would have poor Wolfgang sacked if he worked for Sky. Patronising chauvinist.

Fortunately, Wolfgang works for Audi, his point is factual and his answer is for Audi to make a car that the newly prosperous ladies of China will find as appealing and enticing as the BMW X6. Which means his career is probably safe.

And what will Audi call its BMW X6 competitor? We’ll guess at Audi Q6 or Audi Q7 Coupe. But as this is China it is always possible that Audi could go completely mad and build an SUV Coupe that’s even bigger than the Q7.

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Aston Martin Rapide – the Photos

Huge gallery of Aston Martin Rapide Photos

Aston Martin has produced a large gallery of photos of the new Aston Martin Rapide

It took Aston Martin an age to bring the Aston Martin Rapide from concept to the road. And it seems to have taken them almost as long to get round to doing some decent pictures of the Rapide. But they’ve finally got round to doing it, and have sent us a huge gallery of images of the new 4-door coupe.

We hold our hands up and confess a love of Aston Martins. They are works of art – always have been. That’s probably what got them through the wilderness years – even though your Aston broke down regularly you could still sit and stare at it on the drive and get a deep glow of satisfaction. But on the whole Aston Martins work these days. There are a few niggles, but nothing to get too excited about. So the drive-ability has certainly changed but what hasn’t is the beauty. An Aston Martin is still glorious sight to behold.

The pictures below are enough to keep an Aston Martin lover busy for a very long time. But just in case you need more, Aston Martin has finally cobbled together a spec list for the new Rapide.

Aston Martin Rapide Photo Gallery

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