Paris 2008: Officially, official Audi A1 Sportback concept
Audi A1 Sportback
Audi has released the official details on its new A1 Sportback concept that debuts at the Paris Motor Show. At 13.09 ft long, the A1 is a couple of inches longer than a MINI Clubman and features a hybrid drivetrain. Power comes from a 150 hp TFSI four cylinder with turbocharging and direct injection. The engine's output is blended with the output of a 20 kW, 111 lb-ft electric motor and sent through a 6-speed dual clutch S Tronic transmission. The electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and transmission and can provide electric boost as well as electric only drive at low speeds. The lithium ion battery pack has plug-in capability and is claimed to be able to propel the car for 62 miles in electric only mode. The car can acclerate from 0-100 kph in 7.9 seconds and still get 60.3 mpg (U.S.). Carbon dioxide emissions are a mere 92 g/km.
Gallery: Audi A1 Sportback concept
[Source: Audi]
Compact five-door model with hybrid drive
Audi A1 Sportback concept
At the Paris Motor Show (October 2-10, 2008), Audi is unveiling the
A1 Sportback concept study: following on from the Audi A1 project quattro,
the three-door show car presented in 2007, this is a concept for a five-door
four-seater for the sub-compact class – once again exhibiting all the
characteristics of a genuine Audi. The 3.99-meter long (13.09 ft) and
1.75-meter wide (5.74 ft) vehicle combines cutting-edge, dynamic styling with
optimum economy of space and supreme quality. At the same time, a series of
visionary technical solutions take efficiency, dynamism and motoring
pleasure into new territory as only Audi knows how.
Audi is presenting another version of the innovative hybrid technology in the
drive unit for the A1 Sportback concept. At work under the hood is a 1.4-litre
TFSI engine developing 110 kW (150 hp), whose power is directed to the front
wheels by means of the S tronic dual-clutch transmission. A 20 kW (27 hp)
electric motor integrated in the drive train is able to deliver up to an additional
150 Nm of torque (110.63 lb-ft) when the vehicle is accelerating. During the
boosting phase, i.e. when the TFSI engine and electric motor operate
simultaneously to enable a sporty driving style, the two power packs deliver
impressive propulsion. The tried-and-tested front-wheel drive – supplemented by
the newly developed, ESP-controlled active front differential lock – ensures
optimum transfer of power to the road.
The electric motor is furthermore capable of powering the vehicle alone for zero-
emission driving in residential areas, for instance. The capacity of the lithium-ion
batteries gives the vehicle a range of up to 100 km (62.14 miles) in pure electric
mode; the motor can be recharged from any power socket. The automatic
start/stop facility, energy regeneration and phases of purely electrical operation
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of the Audi A1 Sportback concept by
almost 30 percent compared to when it is running on the combustion engine
alone. Despite its sporty performance, with acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h
(62.14 mph) in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h (124.27 mph), the Audi
A1 Sportback concept requires only 3.9 liters of premium fuel per 100 km
(60.31 US mpg); CO2 emissions are an efficient 92 g/km (148.06 g/mile)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Devin 7:17PM (10/01/2008)
Sold! Lets get this thing into production and on the US market ASAP! Side note: 62 miles on electric only with plug-in capability, why is that not on the headline?
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BoneHeadOtto 10:16PM (10/01/2008)
its not in the headline because it is not true. If it can go 62 miles on electric only, then it must be at slow speed since they mention it can drive on electric only but only at low speeds.
But then again its a concept and they can claim whatever they want. No one can verify it.
Like that recent mercedes that has a 1.3 liter motor making 300hp.
brandon 7:17PM (10/01/2008)
Assuming its priced right, sign me up!
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dan 7:24PM (10/01/2008)
AGREED =) looks pretty similar to the A3, but smaller. i like it!
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Ralph 1:32AM (10/02/2008)
I think Audi is going in the right direction with this concept. The reference to 'residential' speeds for pure electric drive struck me as somewhat weak, but, after some thought, it does make economic sense.
For example's sake only I'll take a guess that the car can travel 60 miles on electric only power at a constant 25 mph. This allows Audi to use a much smaller battery pack and a smaller electric engine than if the car were required to operate at normal highway speeds using electric only power (large cost and weight savings reductions) as well as assist in marketing ("60 miles on electric only power" is a powerful marketing tool).
Gas mileage for this A1 is quite good and similar to the diesel VW Golf BlueMotion sold in Europe. However, the 0-60 is much, much better than the Golf :)
I don't see this being an inexpensive car to produce, though. I really don't think we'll see this in the US until maybe after the dollar recovers more vs. the Euro.
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paulwesterberg 1:00PM (10/02/2008)
Sounds like serious volt competition.
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