Reports have surfaced today indicating that Audi's new Mini-fighting A1 hatchback will make its production debut in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and go into production shortly thereafter ahead of an early-2010 on-sale date.
According to Britain's Autocar, a three-door version of the five-door A1 seen in concept form at the Paris Motor Show last year will be the first in production in October, followed by the five-door Sportback model by the end of the year. The report claims that the production A1 will have its exterior styling and interior luxury toned-down and will feature sub-2.0L four-cylinder engines from Volkswagen in both gas and diesel forms and will likely use turbochargers. A convertible model is being examined, as is a high-performance S1.
While this is good news for our European readers, those here in the States will simply have to be happy for our friends on the other side of the Atlantic. Last we heard, Audi still believed that the U.S. market is not ready for a premium small car or, more specifically, the price tag that comes with one. The company is continuing to look at the possibility of bringing the car here, though, so there may still be hope.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
