Audi’s new A-Team

Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Automedia/ Poblete

06th August 2010

We love it when a plan comes together – and that’s exactly what’s happening at Audi, as its small car future falls into place.

The German giant is preparing to take the premium market by storm with an A1 Cabriolet, as well as an all-new A2 and a VW Golf-sized A3. And Auto Express has the exclusive inside line on how the models will shape up.

As our images show, one theme unites the trio: sharp styling. With bold creases and flowing lines, each car crams all the sophistication of variants further up the range into a smaller and more compact package.

First to arrive will be the A1 Cabriolet. It’s due in showrooms next year, and will feature a more advanced roof arrangement than its MINI Convertible arch-rival. This sees the electric hood stow neatly into a stretched rear end.

The roof will be made from multiple layers of acoustically engineered fabric, which will isolate road and wind noise when raised, but be light enough to fold extremely quickly. Rather than offer cramped back seats as in the MINI, Audi will do away with them altogether, allowing for a larger boot.

As with the A1 hatch, interior quality will be best in class, with soft-touch materials and solid switchgear providing a luxury feel. Engineers will also enhance the handling to add a dash of sportiness.

The engine line-up is shared with the hatchback, so expect to see an entry-level 1.2-litre TFSI model, as well as 140bhp and 170bhp versions of the 1.4 TFSI. The most frugal variant will be a 1.6 TDI diesel, promising 105g/km emissions and 70.6mpg fuel economy. All cars can be specified with a six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

Joining the A1 Cabriolet in showrooms will be a reborn A2. The original model blazed a trail at launch in 2000 with its clever use of space. It wasn’t a sales success, though – and Audi is hoping the newcomer will prove much more popular.

Based on the A1, it will offer a much more versatile interior, complete with a sliding back bench and variable-height boot floor. A raised seating position with lots of room for rear passengers is also expected.

Add a panoramic glass sunroof, chunky wheelarches and taut lines, and the model is sure to be a hit with image-conscious buyers. Quality is set to top the agenda, with an A1-style cabin. The A2 is also due next year.

Biggest of the newcomers is the next A3. As with the other models, it will sit on the VW Group’s flexible MQB platform – but it will spawn a host of
variants, including Cabriolet and Sportback models.

The A3 will look more edgy and angular than the current model, which is in need of a design overhaul to meet the challenge presented by new versions of the BMW 1-Series and Mercedes A-Class.

In addition to an efficient 1.6-litre TDI diesel, Audi will offer TFSI petrol engines with capacities from 1.2 to 2.0 litres. The latter has scope to be tuned to 280bhp-plus for the hot S3, which is due a year after the standard model.

A hybrid version is also likely. This would combine a 1.6-litre diesel with three 30kW electric motors, and arrive by 2014. The regular A3 will go on sale in 2012.

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