| Concept Car Preview | Tokyo Motor Show | Audi A1 Metroproject quattro |
Audi has revealed pictures of its 'Metroproject quattro' concept, ahead of its debut at the
Tokyo Motor Show, with more than a slight suggestion that a new A1 is on the cards.
The concept meanwhile is pure Audi with the signature 'beard' grille and front headlamps accented by extra lower lighting strips, similar to the bling LEDs of the new A5 and R8. The quattro's flanks are a relatively clean-cut affair with only two major crease-lines, but with no B-pillars the Audi has more than a hint of the TT about it; continued at the rear with similar Stars Wars inspired light clusters. Two exhaust pipes protrude from each corner of the quattro - this and the fat tyres give us some indication that Audi doesn't want to just take on the small car market, it wants to dominate it. MINI, you have been warned...
The sporty-looking exhaust pipes will apparently put out just 112g/km of CO
2 thanks to a hybrid electric system, which would make the small Audi exempt from congestion charges, etc.. A mid-mounted electric motor positioned behind the front seats can produce up to 41bhp, recycle lost energy whilst the car is in motion and on the concept at least, features a plug-in slot for recharging whilst parked up at home. The hybrid motor can travel, Audi says, up to 60 miles on electricity alone and hit 57.5mpg on the combined fuel cycle.
This is partly down to an accompanying frugal 1.4-litre petrol engine situated up front. With an additional 150bhp to drive all four wheels, the Audi will go from 0-62mph in a claimed 7.8 seconds and leave other hybrid propositions in a plume of eco-friendly smoke with a top speed of 125mph. To further boost economy, Audi has fitted the concept with its flagship six-speed DSG sequential gearbox.
Although this is just a German concept amongst many other small Japanese concepts, take note - this car will make production. Sources are already marking early 2009 for release whilst a full production model is expected to debut at the
Paris Motor Show next year.
Kyle Molyneux - 24 Oct 2007
