Audi A1 Project Quattro Concept
The drive unit for the Audi A1 project quattro showcases a fully independent and innovative hybrid technology. At work under the bonnet is a 1.4-litre turbocharged FSI engine developing 150PS, whose power is directed to the front wheels by means of the S tronic Direct Shift Gearbox. A 41PS electric motor positioned on the rear axle is able to deliver up to an additional 200 Nm of torque when the vehicle is accelerating. In boost mode, in other words when the vehicle is being powered simultaneously by the turbocharged FSI unit and electric motor for dynamic performance, the study is transformed from a front-wheel drive car to a quattro, and power is transferred to the road in the most effective way possible.
The concept car’s styling makes it look as if it has been cast from a single mould. The basic proportions, with a high vehicle body and a flat window area bordered by a coupé-like roof line, produce a virtually classic look for a vehicle bearing the four rings.
The single-frame grille with its chequered-flag look and four interlinking rings leaves no doubt as to the car’s sporty temperament, an impression that is further underlined by the aluminium finish on elements such as the grille, mirror housings, door handles, fuel filler cap and tailpipes. The two-tone multipiece wheels that have been embellished by the addition of V-shaped polished aluminium elements lend further emphasis to the vehicle’s sportiness and exclusivity.
The interior, with its four individual seats and a surprisingly generous amount of space for this class, has a tidy, no-frills appearance. The curving wrap-around element merges the doors and the sporty cockpit into a single whole. The dashboard and centre console are designed entirely around the driver.
The A1 is likely to be seen first at the Geneva Show in March and then launched in the UK in October.
