Audi has set its eyes on the entry level market. Late 2009 will see the launch of Audi A1, which will turn up the heat on BMW’s Mini Cooper. The high performance Audi S1 will come with the entry level A1. S1 has been kept under sheets of secrecy and is speculated to take on the Cooper S.
These new cars from Audi are being developed for the European as well as the US market. The new Audis will come in plenty, with sales targets set at 100,000 to 150,000 worldwide for Audi A1. The product portfolio is wide; Coupe, convertible and three- and five-door hatchback are in the lineup.
A1 will be a base front-wheel-drive likely to be powered by parent company Volkswagen’s 1.4-liter four-cylinder direct-injection engine that will churn out a horsepower of 90 for the naturally aspirated engine and 120hp for the turbocharged engine in Europe. The same engines are less likely to be sent to the US markets, where we can expect larger and more powerful engines for the A1.
Standard transmission for the A1 will be a six-speed manual but a seven-speed DSG will be optional for higher-end models. Diesel avatars of the new Audis are in the works too.
The high performance S1 will come with a 1.4-liter Twincharger (supercharged and turbocharged) engine from Volkswagen that will deliver 180 to 200hp power to the S1. Audi S1 will have a permanent all wheel drive due to the coupling of the engine with Haldex-style multiplate-clutch transmission. A seven-speed direct-shift gearbox will come standard. Top speed for this model is speculated to be in the range of 150mph.
Route 15, the extensive new model push from Audi with an aim of selling more than 1.5 million units globally by 2015 is evident with these upcoming models. Following the European debut in late 2009, these cars will come to US shores in mid-2010. Mini should brace up for upcoming competition from these formidable rivals.
[Via: Autoweek]
