Car Moon

Only moments after our previous post on the new A1, and Audi formally introduced its new premium supermini that will take on the MINI Cooper and its like. Poised as a true, fully-fledged Audi, the A1 will be launched initially as a three-door hatchback with a more practical five-door Sportsback model set to follow shortly after.

The A1 supermini was first previewed over two years ago, when Audi showed the three-door Metro Project Concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, followed in 2008 by the five-door A1 Sportback study in Paris.

The production model has remained extremely close to the original Metro Project concept, as it even keeps the color-contrasted roof arches that will be optionally available in a variety of shades. The most significant change concerns the newer interpretation of Audi's single-frame, five-point grille.