Audi introduced the new flagship A8 sedan at their inaugural Audi Summit few days ago. With the introduction of this benchmark model safely under its belt, Audi will now turn its attention towards the debut of five new models across its line-up by the end of 2018. One of them is the second generation A1 supermini.
The Audi is reported to be mulling over making its supermini more upmarket when it enters into its second iteration. The A1 will wear a familiar design language as debuted by the A8, which can be seen in the rendering. It will have a conventional roof design as opposed to the quirky two-tone set-up of the first generation. The ORVMs will be repositioned. The C-pillar will also be conventional. The fascia will wear the signature Audi grille, while the headlamps will be angular and more mature than the current generation A1. There are rumours that the new A1 will only be available in a more practical five-door configuration, ditching the two-door variant for good. Its taller body, as opposed to the current car’s curvaceous approach, will help in creating more cabin space.
The second generation A1 will be based on the shortest version of the modular MQB platform. Engine-wise, there will be choices of gasoline and diesel turbocharged engines. The potent S1 version is also on the cards. However, a plug-in hybrid variant down the line is not ruled out for the smallest Audi since the German carmaker is pushing its electrification programme sooner rather than later. The all-new A1 is likely to come out sometime next year as a 2019 model year. It will be produced alongside it siblings from the Volkswagen group at the Seat’s Martorell facility in Spain.
