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This Audi A1 quattro prototype was caught stretching its four paws in the snow in Montreal. The one-off development car is part of the ‘Fascination of quattro’ event taking place in the Canadian city to celebrate the famous four-wheel-drive system, which turned 30 in 2010. At last year’s Paris show, Audi said that future high performance variants of the A1 will be quattro equipped. Current cars are FWD only.
The “A1 quattro” uses technology very similar to that in the A3 and TT. At its core is an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch located in front of the rear axle for an optimized distribution of weight. Inside is a package of plates that rotate in an oil bath.
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During normal driving, the clutch sends most of the engine’s power to the front wheels. If the front axle loses grip, the clutch can instantly transfer torque to the rear axle by forcing the plate packages together. A pressure reservoir helps the electric pump to develop the necessary oil pressure.
Many expected Audi to launch a hot “S1” at Paris 2010, but the range topping variant that was unwrapped was simply called the A1 1.4 TFSI. It uses a Twincharged engine with 185 hp and 250 Nm, paired to a 7-speed S tronic gearbox. That leaves room for a “S1” quattro with figures to rival or beat the 211 hp/260 Nm MINI JCW.
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Hmm..a perfect car for Audi to once again, enter WRC?
nice~
looks like following the roots of proton savvy :S
same toilet bowl cover bonnet as the proton savvy well!
This is a handsome looking car. Nice color scheme, as well :-)
i’m curious… This A1 model has been shown to public long ago.. Why is’t still a prototype version when it’s looks so production ready.. Is’t actually in the market already? if not.. when will it be in the market.. ?
the A1 is already in the market in FWD configuration. this is the quattro version.
Very macho car… very powerful machine!!
Wow! So much for its driving dynamics, after looking at too many Korean cars in the previous posts this Audi looked like a dork already. Very uninspiring design.
Has anyone noticed that the rear of the a1 looks like the Kelisa’s rear….
If this article is right then it is blasphemeous to call this quattro.
A real quattro system uses a Torsen center diff that operates 50:50 unless wheel slippage is detected, and appropriate torque is transfered to the axle with more grip.
Sound like Audi is cheapening its system to match the cheaper and more fuel efficient Haldex system currently employed with various other manufacturers such as Volvo etc.
My guess is this is due to packaging issues with the smaller A1, since the Haldex system is more better suited to transversly mounted engine layout, while the Torsen system is more for longitudanally powertrain setup.
Reminds me of the ASX…
I’ve seen it live while working in volkswagen back then. It was too small. cramp interior