2010 Audi A1

The 2010 Audi A1 will be sized to battle the Mini Cooper and likely
will offer both front- and all-wheel-drive versions.
See more picture of the Audi.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2010 Audi A1

It's not a done deal yet, but Audi may challenge BMW's new Mini Cooper and the upcoming BMW 1-Series with a premium subcompact of its own.

What We Know About the 2010 Audi A1

The 2010 Audi A1 could take its cue from the Mini Cooper, which has been a solid success in its first five years. Mini is an arm of BMW, and it's only natural that other upscale brands are looking at premium minicars of their own. Among them is Audi, the premium division of Volkswagen, where a recent management shuffle has strengthened the odds for a baby Audi smaller than today's compact-sized Audi A3 hatchback.

The so-called Audi A1 could be on U.S. soil as early as model-year 2010, say industry sources. It'll be somewhat smaller than the A3, but longer, wider, and taller than the popular Mini Cooper. In fact, the A1 is likely to be sized close to the 2009 BMW 1-Series, which reaches North America in 2008.

The 2010 Audi A1's basic design will doubtless borrow heavily from parent VW's European-market Polo, but will likely not be a retrimmed version of that small hatchback. VW/Audi says it's moved beyond sharing complete platforms to devising component "modules" that can be mixed and matched to create unique products for each nameplate. A current example is the VW Eos retractable hardtop convertible, which blends structural elements of the compact Rabbit/Jetta and midsize Passat, but has no Audi counterpart.

If the A3 is any guide, the 2010 Audi A1 should be offered in two models, both hatchbacks. Some sources indicate a four-door hatch is in the offing, but early photos show a tow-door hatchback. In any event, the entry-level model will have front-wheel drive and a high-power version will get Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. Both will use four-cylinder engines.

The 2010 Audi A1 base model could come with around 130 horsepower. The AWD A1 would probably sport VW's unique "Twincharger" 1.4-liter engine already available in Europe with up to 168 horsepower; it compares nicely with the supercharged Mini Cooper S. The "Twincharger" is so named because it uses both a supercharger, to maximize low-end torque, and a turbocharger, for maximum high-rpm power.

Both 2010 Audi A1 models should offer a choice of six-speed transmissions: a regular manual and optional Audi S-Tronic, a computer-operated sequential manual transmission that can be set to shift like an automatic, Styling and appointments should borrow liberally from the A3 and A4 models, though standard and optional features will be carefully chosen to achieve target prices that won't cannibalize sales from the larger A3s.

2010 Audi A1
The 2010 Audi A1 will be a sporty hatchback with a choice of four-cylinder
engines, one of them an innovative unit that uses both a turbocharger and
a supercharger to get some 168 horsepower from just 1.4 liters.

A Notable Feature of the 2010 Audi A1

The 2010 Audi A1 will be no stripped-down minicar. We look for all the standard features expected of premium brands, such antilock brakes, curtain side airbags, full power assists, and a decent stereo. The AWD version should add spiffs like antiskid/traction control, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, larger wheels and tires, and no doubt sportier suspension calibrations.

Buying Advice for the 2010 Audi A1

If you're thinking of a fun minicar, the 2010 Audi A1 could offer something unique in its class: AWD. The Mini Cooper has front-wheel drive, and the 2009 BMW 1-Series will have rear-wheel drive.

2010 Audi A1 Release Date: To be announced.

First Test Drive: Is spring 2009 too much to hope for?

2010 Audi A1 Prices: They're a long way from being finalized, but will be set to avoid stealing sales from the Audi A3, which currently runs in the $25,400-$34,000 range. We'll go out on the proverbial limb and predict A1s will start around $22,000 and top out around $28,000 for loaded AWD versions.

2010 Audi A1
The 2010 Audi A1 will be sold as a premium small car, meaning it'll be
available with leather-trimmed upholstery and other upscale interior cues.

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