Concept of the Week

Despite being classified as a design study for the subcompact segment, this three-door concept offers an idea of the future Audi A1 minicar, due in 2009

Good Things Come in Small Packages

By Stuart Schwartzapfel

Powering the front wheels of Audi's new Metroproject Quattro Concept is a turbocharged, direct-injection, 1.4-liter gasoline engine, good for 150 horsepower. An electric motor, located on the rear axle, powers the back wheels with an additional 41 hp and 148 lb.-ft. of torque when the vehicle is accelerating. The combination of gas and electric power results in a unique Quattro application. The zero-emissions electric motor is capable of powering the vehicle alone at low, suburb-appropriate speeds.

As with current hybrids on the market, regenerative braking is used to capture braking energy and transform it into electrical energy instead of wasted heat. The lithium-ion batteries will give a range of about 62 miles in pure electric mode, and the motor can be recharged via power socket. And despite spirited performance resulting from all that torque, the mixed gas/electric mode fuel economy is impressive, at 48 miles per gallon.

At 153 inches, the concept is a little longer than BMW's MINI and about two feet shorter than the A3, Audi's current premium small-car offering. The dramatic front fascia and the integrated dual exhaust in the rear assure a design effect that is bold rather than cute. Outlining the roof's coupe-like profile are two thick aluminum arches that run along the top edge of the windows to connect the A- and C-pillars. The side view, easily the concept's most flattering vantage point, shows doors with frameless windows and no visible B-pillar. A gentle character line rises past the bottom of the front wheel arches, and a spoiler integrated into the rear window rounds off the tail. Inside is true four-passenger seating.

The Verdict: The upscale design cues and promised high-end amenities are needed to warrant price premiums for these types of small cars. But will Audi offer enough visual and functional distinction between the A3 and future A1 models to offer both simultaneously?

Schwartzapfel, a certified car freak, has studied the automotive marketplace and worked as an advertising/marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works.

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