Audi's answer to Mini - A1

Until some recent time back, there was not a single example in its line-up belonging to the burgeoning SUV segment. But German auto firm Audi realized the potential and launched the – now much famous and celebrated – Q7. Ever since then this fat, bulbous, heavy-at-the-arse SUV has been the vanguard of segment sales. Other SUVs in the offing are Q5 and Q3. By the looks of it, now the four-ringed firm has become conscious about its presence in yet another lucrative sector – the small-car segment.

Globally, BMW-owned Mini has enjoyed its time in the premium small-car segment since the time I was not even in born; and it continues to be one of the hottest hatchbacks, ever. Then, along came the Fiat 500 and things were not be the same. Everyone embraced the oh-it’s-cho-chweet micro car looks with open arms and the little 500 has been at the top of things everywhere. It has won numerous awards as well which makes it even more compelling as a purchase. And the Abarth version is mad enough to kill you with joy and lunacy. Hence assumed, happy times are here to last!

History has it that whenever Italy has come up with something interesting, Germany has fought back. Alright, yes, so it has been limited to Ferraris and hyper Mercs thus far, but now the game is boiling down to the lower rung as well. The Fiat 500 has been, as we all know, a global success. Audi, after finally having realized the scope of small-car segment, is out with something called A1.


The A1 sports a very 500-like silhouette, or so it at least appears. The C-pillar is very coupe-like and, I think, looks quite chic. The front end has the typical Audi-of-today bold look written all over it owing to its hugely impressive and imposing grille section. The shoulder line too is strong and those prominent double-lines running across the sides lend it a certain character.

The rear however is, what I believe, the most appealing portion of the car. And that is primarily because of those very in-yer-face tail lamps, twin exhaust pipes, that heavy bumper and an integrated spoiler in the rear windshield. The interior falls in the ‘it’s-not-that-bad’ spectrum. When you talk of space, the A1 will happily accommodate four adults in decent comfort. The cabin is pretty straight forward and looks quite neat and reeks of quality – a typical Audi trait.


There are three engines on offer here – 1.2 TFSI petrol engine with 85Bhp, a 1.4 TFSI petrol engine putting out 120Bhp and a diesel 1.6TDI motor with 103Bhp on tap.


Allow me to be optimistically crazy here. I want the A1 to come to Indian shores. So, for India – if at all Audi is bold enough to offer it here in the first place – I speculate the smaller, 1.2L petrol engine to do the honours under the hood of A1. There are other engines that would make for an absolute match – 1.4-litre TDI motors having power rating of 75 bhp and 90 bhp and a 1.6-litre petrol engine that will be good for 115 bhp or thereabouts. The zestiest motor can either be the 1.6TDI or a 2.0-litre turbocharged motor.

I am not sure if this will happen, but if (fingers crossed!) it happens, it will be great to see a small Audi lining up against the likes of a Fiat 500 and VW Beetle here in India! However, if the near-impossible thing does happen, I don’t think this baby Audi will arrive at our shores any time before 2012. But when it does; Fiat 500 and Beetle – you better watch out!