Just a week after unveiling the Audi Q8 in Shenzhen, Audi is now gearing up for the 2019 Audi A1 Sportback’s world premiere in Barcelona. The company has released the all-new small car’s first teaser video that gives a glimpse of its interior.
The original Audi A1 was initially a 3-door-only model, and the Audi A1 Sportback (5-door) followed later. The second generation Audi A1 will be sold in only the Sportback form. Audi is dropping the 3-door version because of poor demand. The redesigned model will have a sharper design with cues borrowed from bigger Audis like the Audi A8, Audi A7, and Audi A6.
The second-gen Audi A1 will have a roomier cabin. Reports say that its length will exceed 4,000 mm and that its wheelbase will measure 2,564 mm - the same as that of the sixth-gen VW Polo. The boot space is also expected to go up from the current 270 litres. The outgoing model is 3,973 mm long, 1,746 mm wide and 1,422 mm high, and it has a 2,469 mm wheelbase.
The all-new Audi A1 Sportback has a completely redesigned interior, equipped with the latest technologies the Volkswagen Group has to offer for its small cars. The teaser image shows features like rectangular AC vents, a large central display for the MMI touch infotainment system embedded in the dashboard and dual-zone automatic climate control. The new generation model is equipped with Audi virtual cockpit as well, although we expect it to be an optional feature.
The all-new Audi A1 Sportback is underpinned by the MQB A0 platform. It will come with a variety of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, in displacements ranging from 1.0- to 2.0-litre. Transmission choices should include 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. Reports say that Audi will offer the quattro AWD system option in a number of configurations. Currently, its availability is reserved to the sporty S variant (Audi S1 Sportback). An all-new Audi S1 Sportback powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is planned.
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The 2019 Audi A1 Sportback will be manufactured at Seat's Martorell facility in Spain. Series production should commence in the fourth quarter of this year.
